Marc Elrich Narrowly Wins Democratic Primary For County Executive

ROCKVILLE, MD — Councilmember Marc Elrich won the Democratic nominee for county executive by only 80 votes against Rockville health care executive David Blair, according to unofficial results posted by The Montgomery County Board of Elections.

The race was too close to call on Election Day on Tuesday, June 26, and ultimately came down to absentee and provisional ballots. The count finished Sunday.

The unofficial results put Elrich ahead with 37,529 votes, while Blair finished with 37,449 votes, according to results released on the county's website late Sunday night.

"The Board of Elections has now finished counting ballots from the primary election. It was close, but I received 80 votes more than my closest competitor (David Blair) and expect to be certified as your Democratic nominee for County Executive next week!," Elrich posted on Twitter Sunday night.

Blair's spokeswoman Laura Evans Manatos told Montgomery Community Media that officials were discussing Monday to determine whether or not to seek a recount.

Blair released the following statement:

"With almost 130,000 votes cast, the margin of 80 votes is razor-thin, and David Blair has been gaining ground as the votes have been counted. There is more work to do in this process- we still need to understand fully the scope and effect of the MVA’s untimely updating of key voter registration data. We are committed to seeing that the most credible possible outcome is finally reached. Our supporters and all Montgomery county residents deserve nothing less."

The votes must be certified by July 16.

In his statement on Twitter, Elrich said he will soon turn his attention to the general election.

SEE RELATED: Elrich And Blair In Tight Race For Montgomery County Executive

"We'll also begin to hone our plans for how to hit the ground running in 2019 with pre-K expansion, restructuring the government, and an equitable economic development strategy," he said.

Elrich will face Republican candidate Robin Ficker, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Democratic at-large council member Nancy Floreen is debating whether she will run as an independent in the race. She previously said she was waiting for the Democratic primary results to come out before making her decision.

(Photo of Blair, Elrich via Montgomery Community Media)