In a race that came down to the wire, and will most likely not be officially called until absenteeballots are counted, Republican candidate Norman Cochran would appear to have edged out Joe Price to secure the party?s nomination for Harford County Sheriff.
Cochran, a 28-year veteran of the Maryland State Police, would meet Democratic nominee and Sheriff?s Office veteran Jesse Bane in the general election on Nov. 7.
“We knew it was going to be close, we just didn?t know it was going to be Price,” Cochran said shortly after midnight Wednesday.
As votes were being counted Tuesday night, Cochran led the pack of six Republican candidates, according to the county Board of Elections. As more and more precincts reported in, Price, a former detective sergeant with the state police, began to emerge as Cochran?s main challenger, and at one point Price overtook Cochran. Price?s lead would be short-lived, though.
When the unofficial count was complete at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Cochran walked away with 3,747 votes, while Price collected 3,687 votes.
“There is no doubt this [race] is going to come down to absentee ballots,” Price said early Wednesday morning.
According to Harford County elections board member James E. Massey, there are about 1,400 absentee ballots to be counted. These ballots will be tabulated by Thursday morning, Massey said.
But the unofficial results from Tuesday?s election did not stop either Cochran or Price from getting in some last-minute jabs.
“We kept our campaign on the high road the entire time. Others didn?t,” Cochran said.
Believing this was a shot against him, Price said, “I addressed issues regarding his integrity. I don?t have special interest funding my campaign.”
The Republican field was rounded out with David Tritt placing third with 2,897 votes, Bob Benedetto getting 2,780 votes, Ray Clasing receiving 2,377 votes and Marlin Mills bringing up the rear with 564 votes.
On theDemocratic side of the ticket, the results were much more decisive: Bane received 13,175 votes, while Belcamp resident Terry Serago tallied 3,552 votes.
