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Photo by Travis Pratt
Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett gives an acceptance speech at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Frederick after defeating Democratic challenger Jennifer Dougherty in Maryland’s 6th District. |
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U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett greeted supporters Tuesday evening as poll numbers showed he held a comfortable lead over Democratic challenger Jennifer Dougherty."I'm honored and gratified with this vote of confidence," Bartlett said. "I had a really great team working for us. I want to thank them all very much." At 11:30 p.m. with 129 of the 240 precincts in the 6th District reporting, the Republican had 54 percent of the vote, with Dougherty trailing at 39 percent. Libertarian Gary W. Hoover Sr. had 3 percent. Bartlett, 82, will serve his ninth term representing an eight-county district that includes all of Frederick , Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Carroll, and portions of Montgomery, Baltimore and Harford counties. Dougherty, a former Frederick mayor, had held out hope that unaffiliated voters in the district could give her an edge in the Republican-dominated area. But as poll numbers leaned toward Bartlett, she said she was disappointed. "The important thing is that we as a nation start pulling together because the problems are big," she said. Dougherty, 47, is not sure what her political future will be, but she hopes to remain committed to improving the economy, improving access to health care, forming an energy policy, and helping the environment. She said she wanted to put partisan concerns aside and hopes Barack Obama, as president, would serve the district well. Dougherty tried to call Bartlett including his son, Delegate Joseph Bartlett, also a Republican, and Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkinsafter 11 p.m., but was unable to reach him. Bartlett mingled with supporters including his son, Delegate Joseph Bartlett, also a Republican, and Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, at Beef 'O' Brady's on Crestwood Boulevard after his victory had been declared. The new term starts in January 2009 and members of Congress will be paid salaries of $174,000. Bartlett traditionally donates $20,000 of his salary to 10 colleges in the 6th district for financial aid scholarships. He wished Dougherty well during interviews. "She's a very bright young lady, and I wish her well for the future," he said. Early poll numbers showed similar results to 2006, when Bartlett won re-election with 59 percent of the vote. His Democratic challenger, Andrew Duck, garnered 38.4 percent of the vote, and Green Party candidate Robert E. Kozak had 2.5 percent. In both races, Bartlett kept campaigning to a minimum. Dougherty said she had hoped the outcome would have been different because the issues facing the nation are dramatically different. She said she will be analyzing the numbers in the coming days. Bartlett will be working on issues related to the economy and energy in his next term, he said. He has not decided if he will run for re-election in two years, he said. His campaign manager estimates Bartlett will emerge from Tuesday with $300,000 in campaign funds. "Time will tell," Bartlett said. "My health is good and I think that I understand the district and I can work very effectively in the Congress, even in the minority, because I have very good friends across the aisle." Hoover has committed to running again for the seat in two years, with a larger fundraising effort and broader membership in the Libertarian party. "With more people involved and more exposure and of course more funds, we believe we could do better next time," he said.
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