The Gazette: Kelly, Frick, Korman win in Montgomery District 16 House primary

Gazette.Net

By Ryan Marshall

Exactly one year ago, Marc Korman started knocking on doors in his campaign for one of three District 16 House seats.

That hard work paid off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, as the Bethesda man won one of the party’s three slots on the November’s general election ballot.
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Korman and incumbents Ariana Kelly and C. William Frick came out on top, with challenger Hrant Jamgochian coming in fourth among the eight candidates.

​The winning trio — all from Bethesda — will face Republicans John Andrews, Lynda del Castillo and Rose Maria Li in November’s general election. District 16 covers Bethesda, Chevy Chase and parts of Potomac.

Korman praised his Democratic competitors with running strong campaigns, and said that if his lead held up he was looking forward to running a “vigorous” general election campaign.

Korman said that in talking to voters, school construction and capacity, along with the environment, emerged as common subjects.

He said that if he’s elected, he’d also look at the Metro system, which he said is incredibly important to the state and Montgomery County.

Korman said the system is developing a well-deserved reputation as being costly and unreliable.

Kelly was excited about Korman joining the Democratic ticket.

“Marc Korman is an extraordinary person,” she said.

Of her own race, Kelly said she was honored that District 16 residents thought she did a good job in her first term.

“I’m proud of the work I did” in Annapolis, she said.

Among the other Democrats, Jordan Cooper won 6 percent, Peter Dennis won 3 percent, and Karen Kuker-Kihl, who pulled out of the race, and former Del. Gareth E. Murray each claimed less than 2 percent.

Lee wins Senate primary

In the race for the District 16 Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Brian Frosh, who ran for attorney general Tuesday, Del. Susan Lee (D) of Bethesda was nominated to face Republican Meyer Marks in the general election.

Lee claimed 84.8 percent of the vote over Democrats J’aime Drayton and Hugh Hill.

​There were 1,263 absentee ballots requested in the district, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.