36th Dist. Senate Surprise: Mumford Beats Alt in Democratic Primary
It was the “Huckleberry Finn” candidate versus the mayor and Huck won in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the 36th District Senate race. Steve Mumford, an actor and dancer from Kent County and one of the most unusual candidates in Shore politics, defeated former Elkton mayor Robert Alt.
Mumford has described himself as the “Huckleberry Finn” candidate, wearing a colonial tri-corner hat in an Earleville parade and visiting the homeless at a shelter in Elkton. But he also displayed solid knowledge of local issues, especially those affecting Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. He exceeded expectations in a candidates debate in Centreville, as the Cecil Times reported here: http://ceciltimes.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/36th-district-candidates-forum-lots-of-me-too-and-a-surprise/
Across the district, Mumford won 3,873 votes to Alt’s 3,438, with the margin going to Mumford with 53 percent to Alt’s 47 percent. Absentee and provisional votes will be counted later but Mumford’s lead seems likely to hold.
In vote tallies from all precincts in the four-county district, Mumford carried his home base in Kent County with 1,215, to Alt’s 466 votes. Key to his victory was his strong showing in Queen Anne’s County, where he won 1,531, to 833 votes for Alt. In the small section of Caroline County included in the district, Mumford won 354 votes to Alt’s 248.
Alt scored his only victory in his home base of Cecil County, with 1,891 votes to Mumford’s 773.
Mumford will face wealthy incumbent Republican E.J. Pipkin in the general election. Mumford ran his primary contest on a shoestring, filing affadavits that he had spent less than $1,000 on his campaign.
But Mumford, who comes from a well-connected Kent County political family, has surprised political professionals before and he should provide one of the more entertaining campaigns of the season.
Congrats to Steve Mumford. He did a great job and I wish him the best!
Sincerely,
Rob Alt
Good for Steve Mumford. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice in Cecil County while campaigning and I liked him immensely. Congratulations Mr. Mumford!