In the race for Anne Arundel County sheriff, current Chief Deputy Ronald Bateman, a Democrat, edged out Republican challenger John Moran by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent.
“I think for a first-timer in the campaign world, we did really well,” Bateman said.
Bateman likely won because of his law enforcement experience and good reputation in the community, said Dan Nataf, the director of the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College. “He was just a better candidate,” Nataf said.
Bateman worked for the Anne Arundel County Police department for 23 years before retiring as a captain. He has worked as chief deputy sheriff since 2003.
Moran, who currently works as a police officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, worked briefly as a sheriff?s deputy in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County. Moran?s campaign focused on drastically reducing the number of outstanding warrants in the county, saying the estimated 12,000 outstanding warrants were unacceptable.
Nataf said the issue was too abstract to excite voters.
Moran could not be reached for comment.
As sheriff, Bateman says he will try to build relationships with surrounding police jurisdictions. He said he wants to create a countywide task force to pursue criminals.
He also wants to work with the new county executive to increase deputies? salaries.
“I am really happy with my team of volunteers that put in countless hours,” Bateman said. “My wife and kids are glad that we won, and they?re glad that it?s over.”
Part of the Baltimore Examiner’s 2006 election coverage
