In a night marked by huge Republican gains nationally, the District 6 county council seat will remain in Democratic hands, as Chris Trumbauer beat out Republican challenger Doug Burkhardt. 

With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Trumbauer leads by almost 1,500 votes. The environmental advocate has 14,067 votes, while Burkhardt trails behind at 12,632. 

Once victory became all but certain, Trumbauer summed up his feelings in one word: "relief." 

"Going into the primary, I was mostly viewed as an underdog and there wasn't any pressure . . . and going into this [general election], the expectations were that I was going to win so it was a change," said Trumbauer. 

Trumbauer expressed gratitude for his volunteers and campaign workers, saying the win wouldn't have materialized without their help.

"We had a lot of great volunteers and we're all just relieved it's over," said Trumbauer.

While five new faces on the county council could be seen as a detriment, Trumbauer believes the situation instead presents an opportunity.

"It's going to be a completely different council and we're going to have to work together and figure out what issues each person wants to be a leader on," said Trumbauer. "We've got some tough decisions coming up and we're going to have to work together to get the good stuff done."

Slots Coming to Arundel Mills

Although polls showed ballot Question A at almost a statistical dead heat in the weeks leading up to Election Day, pro-slots groups were celebrating as election returns came in Tuesday night.

With almost 99 percent of precincts reporting, the "yes" vote took nearly 56 percent of the vote. More than 103,000 residents voted to uphold zoning bill 82-09, which would allow video lottery facilities at specified locations.

The implications of the vote, however, are far more tangible. 

Since the zoning bill was upheld, the Cordish Cos. will be allowed to proceed with its planned slots parlor at Arundel Mills mall. 

Leopold Will Head County for Another Term

In a heated three-way race that featured a Green Party candidate in addition to Republican incumbent John Leopold and Democrat Joanna Conti, Leopold will continue for another term as the county's top executive.

While the rhetoric surrounding the county executive race was heated at times, polls continually showed Leopold leading heavily. Election Day proved to be no different. 

With almost 99 percent of precincts reporting, Leopold enjoys  a sizable lead over Democrat Joanna Conti. The Republican had 93,315 votes cast in his favor, while Conti lagged behind with 80,818. 

Although Green Party candidate Mike Shay likely took some of the Democratic vote, Conti still wouldn't have surpassed Leopold even with Shay's 9,990 votes. 

Kevin Jackson to Continue on Board of Education

With more than 75 percent of voters saying "yes," Kevin Jackson will continue as a member of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. Jackson's wife, Monique, is the principal at Annapolis Middle School. County residents had the choice to either vote "yes" or "no" as to whether or not Jackson should be re-elected.

With over 98 percent of precincts reporting, Jackson had more than 113,000 "yes" votes cast in his favor, and only 38,004 "no" votes.