Jeff Gahler picked up a few more crucial votes after the first canvassing of absentee ballots by election officials on Thursday, widening his razor-thin lead over Steven Bodway in the Republican primary race for Sheriff.
Gahler picked up 101 votes Thursday, while Bodway brought in another 76; widening Gahler’s lead to 78 votes with approximately 500 ballots left to be counted next Wednesday
“We still have next week,” Bodway said.
Board of Elections officials canvassed 575 ballots on Thursday and Harford County Election Director James Massey said he expects roughly the same number of ballots to be counted next week. Massey estimated 330 provisional and about 200 more absentee ballots will be counted on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Bodway trailed Gahler by just 66 votes, or four-tenths of a percentage point, after election night. That margin was cut to 53 votes after a memory card was left in a voting machine at Joppatowne Elementary. The Board of Elections was aware that votes were contained on the card, so a bi-partisan team picked it up and included it among the cards counted.
Gahler and Bodway were both present midday Thursday for the canvassing. Gahler attended with former Harford County Sheriff’s Office Col. Howard Walter, who was a polarizing figure during his time with the Sheriff’s Office and since retiring in 2006. It has been speculated that Walter’s wife, Havre de Grace Police Chief Teresa Walter, may be named Gahler’s undersheriff if he advances to the General Election.
Standing over the canvassing machines, Gahler was able to see the votes as they were counted. When he could see that he was picking up a few more votes, Gahler said it “makes my heart feel better.”
According to Gahler, all but one of the four Republican candidates for sheriff, including Bodway, mutually agreed to endorse the primary winner against incumbent Democratic Sheriff Jesse Bane in November’s General Election. Told that Bodway may not endorse him, Gahler said, “I’m a man of my word.”
Bodway acknowledged a “gentleman’s agreement” had been made, but said he would reflect before making any endorsement. Bodway said that time has passed since that agreement was struck and hinted that new information and experiences may weigh into his decision, but would not elaborate.
Viewing the recount, Bodway decried the low voting turnout and said it was “devastating” that a number of absentee ballots had no votes for any sheriff’s candidate. He speculated that the section may have gone blank on a number of ballots as it was on the reverse side of the ballot.
“Now we know that every single vote counts,” Bodway said.
Another race was too close to call on election night was the battle between incumbent State Del. Dan Riley and challenger Marla Posey-Moss for the second seat in the District 34A Democratic primary. On election night, Posey-Moss led by 43 votes over Riley, a six-term member of the House of Delegates.
After Thursday’s canvas, there was no change in the Riley/Posey-Moss standings as both candidates picked up another 35 votes each.
“In respect for my supporters, I’m going to wait for the whole process to play out,” Riley said.
Also in attendance for the canvas Thursday was District B Board of Education candidate Tom Myers, who was 131 votes behind Cassandra Beverley for the chance to advance to the General Election.
Beverley gained another 14 votes Thursday, while Myers brought in only 9 more – widening his gap to 136 votes.
“The margin is about the same, so I wait until next week,” Myers said.
Republican District B County Council candidate Derek Howell was also present for Thursday’s absentee ballot count. Howell trailed incumbent Councilman Joe Woods by 466 votes.
Howell, who said he did not expect a change in the results, but remained at the Board of Elections ballot counting all day, lost some further ground – only picking up 17 votes, while Woods added 25.
The final counting of the remaining ballots will be conducted at the Board of Elections office Wednesday, September 22 at 10 a.m.
Bodway is showing is real character by considering to not endorse Gahler when Gahler wins. Had this character flaw came out 10 days ago Gahler would have already been crowned the ‘New Sheriff in Town’. Wake up Harford County. Gahler was and will continue to be the best choice.
I believe that Gahler is showing his true colors by allowing Howard to hang onto his coat tails in an attempt to bully his way back into office. By Gahler continuing to proclaim that Howard is not a part of his plan but then showing up at the election office with him is a slap in the face to all the deputies, whose votes he needs.
WHERE did you get your info
the info is in the pic above that shows him sitting next to Howard.
Riley is only a 2-term member of the House of Delegates… where did this 6-term member thing come from? He probably has run 6 times now, but he lost twice, won once, lost again, then won again, and now this will be another loss.
As an officer, republican voter, and life long Harford County resident I support either Gahler or Bodway over Bane. However, if Gahler chooses Howard Walter or any friend/relative/acquaintance of Howard Walter for that matter he will not have my support and will probably lose the support of anyone associated with a member of the HCSO. I hate to say it but I would choose a hug-a-thug, specialized unit creating, union-loving liberal over having any possibility of having Howard Walter return to the HCSO.
old google eyed walters lol
I won’t be voting for Gahler until he comes out and tells every one who will be his 2nd in command and what plans he has for the current command staff. If he’s not going to make any changes I’m better off voting for Bane since I know what I have with him. Nothing. Bodway was the best choice for sheriff because he would have cleaned house and made the necessary changes. Gahler is running out of time to get the support of the deputies. Ballots are going out this week for the union members to vote on who to support for sheriff. If Gahler was a smart man he would select Bodway as his 2nd in command. Just my opinion
David Roadhouse,
Whoever you are and whatever you are – if you were the smart man you might be the Republican Candidate for Sheriff tomorrow, i.e Gahler or Bodway.
Based on all of your rumor and innuendo it should be clear to all that you are neither smart nor a real man.
Clarenie
That was a classy response. By ur response I see ur a real rocket scientist. For ur infor. I’m not a man I’m a woman Mr. Smartie pants
I’ve noted this before but I will say it again…..Gehler only said he wouldn’t give Howard a job. He said nothing about Howard’s wife. Be smart Harford County and listen to those who know Howard and his games. I am also waiting for his announcement of who his 2nd is going to be. Too bad “we” are stuck picking the lesser of two evils yet again.
Sandi,
Clearly you are a Meckley supporter. Up until recently you were supporting Gahler as well. I find it interesting that you are now attacking Gahler. Have you received new marching orders from Jack – what has changed?
Bottom line is if Gahler wins the primary, Bane wins and its not going to be as close as people think. If Bodway wins the primary then Bane may have a close fight on his hands. As far as the deputies go from my understanding, its safe to say that a very high percentage were Meckley supporters. And the union will back Bane against either Gahler or Bodyway. The only other person they would have backed would have been Meckley. You are going to find a large split among republican voters, especially since the Gahler and Bodway dont really get along. Alot of those parties will either go for Bane or maybe they wont vote at all. Only time will tell.
Really???
You must “really” be uniformed since Gahler has apparently stated that Steve Bodway would be part of his command staff. Steve Bodway, Roger Sheets and Jack Meckley have all endorsed Jeff Gahler.
.
Meckley did not endorse Gahler. And Gahler lied about the content of his meeting with Meckley……
One Eyed Willy! Well either way HCSO is screwed…so just stick with Bane
love your one eyed willy thats histerical lol
Sheriff Jesse Bane gets the OVERWHELMING SUPPORT from the Harford County Deputy Sheriffs Union and the Harford County Sheriffs Correction Union. They are backing a WINNER.
Phoenix,
It will take a miracle for Jesse Bane to rise from the ashes. This plays right into Gahler’s hands. Gahler is a conservative republican that ran on a platform of Accountability, Hard Work, and Fiscal Responsibility. Why would a Democratic Police Labor Union that has had its run of the Police Department for four years vote differently.