St. Mary’s County voters decided several important local races in Tuesday’s primary election, determining the next County Commissioner President, filling district commissioner seats and selecting nominees for key row offices and party central committees, according to unofficial results released Wednesday.
With all 27 election day precincts reporting, the outcomes will directly shape county government leadership, public safety, court operations and party organization in St. Mary’s County, home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and a key part of Southern Maryland’s economic and defense landscape.
In the Democratic primary for County Commissioner President, AnnMarie Abell ran unopposed and received 3,639 votes. On the Republican side, Tom Jarboe led with 2,344 votes, or 43.90 percent, followed by Roy H. Alvey at 33.58 percent and Greg Kolarik at 22.53 percent.
The County Commissioner President presides over the board and plays a central role in setting policy direction on growth, budget priorities and services. Abell’s unopposed path on the Democratic side positions her as the likely nominee, while the competitive Republican primary will send Jarboe forward as the party’s standard-bearer.
District commissioner races also produced clear nominees who will join the president on the board. In District 1, Democrat Sheila Milburn won with 72.47 percent over Wendy Smith Rice-Morton. Republican Eric Scott Colvin ran unopposed. District 2 Democrat Brandon Russell was unopposed, while Republican Tom Phelan defeated Thomas F. McKay 57.19 percent to 42.81 percent. District 3 saw Democrat Joshua Kyte and Republican John O’Connor both unopposed. In District 4, Democrat Ryan B. Daniels ran unopposed, and Republican Scott R. Ostrow defeated Dawn Zimmerman 67.84 percent to 32.16 percent.
These district representatives work with the president on zoning, public safety funding, infrastructure and quality-of-life issues that directly affect St. Mary’s County residents amid ongoing growth tied to the naval base and regional development.
Several row offices produced nominees, many without primary opposition within their parties. Republican Treasurer Christy Kelly, State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling, Clerk of the Circuit Court Debbie Mills Burch and Register of Wills Phyllis A. Superior all ran unopposed. On the Democratic side, Sheriff Carl Sturgis was unopposed. The Judge of the Orphans’ Court Democratic primary (vote for up to three) saw Curtis J. King advance unopposed in the listed field, while Republicans Bill Mattingly, Albert “Allie” Babcock and Michael R. White secured the three nominations.
These positions manage critical day-to-day county functions: the Treasurer handles finances, the State’s Attorney prosecutes cases, the Clerk maintains court and land records, the Register of Wills oversees estates, the Sheriff leads law enforcement, and the Orphans’ Court handles probate and guardianship matters. Their outcomes will influence how these services operate in St. Mary’s County for the next term.
Party central committee races also concluded. Democrats elected a full at-large slate (vote for up to 12) that includes Julia M. Nichols, Ylonda Michelle Dowleyne, Valerie Calhoun Gregorio and others. Republicans filled their at-large committee (vote for up to 9) with Jennifer H. Boyd leading the ticket, followed by Michelle Talkington, Jim Crawford and others.
These central committee members will guide local party operations, candidate recruitment and grassroots efforts through the general election and beyond.
Voter participation across St. Mary’s County reflected engagement with both local contests and higher-profile races on the ballot. Early voting and election day ballots formed the large majority of totals, while mail-in and provisional ballots remain unreported and could produce minor adjustments before certification on July 6, 2026.
Tuesday’s local results will have immediate and lasting effects on St. Mary’s County government. The new Board of County Commissioners, row office holders and central committee members will begin addressing priorities such as supporting the naval base community, managing growth and strengthening local services. With many of these positions now clarified, attention can turn to the November general election, where these local leaders will face any opposing-party challengers.
