Spencer Jones Claims Victory in District 7 Council Race

Democrat Spencer Jones declared victory this week in the race for the Anne Arundel County Council District 7 seat, though the County Board of Elections has not yet certified the results.

'I'm absolutely humbled and honored that the voters of District 7 have chosen me to be their next County Councilman,' Jones wrote in a Facebook post.

Jones leads Republican Dawn Pulliam by 262 votes (18,082 to 17,820), according to the unofficial results as posted on the Maryland Election Board. That's 50.33% for Jones to 49.60% for Pulliam.

Pulliam hadn't conceded as of Thursday night.

A lead that flipped twice

Pulliam was leading by 1,379 after early voting and Election Day ballots were counted, but the mail-in ballots closed the gap, and she was up by 14 before Jones took the lead by 48 on Tuesday.

Jones' lead grew to 262 after the 544 provisional ballots were counted, as the BOE is expected to miss its Friday certification deadline and will instead certify the results on Monday, Nov. 16, according to Eye On Annapolis.

It's not clear how many ballots are still outstanding. Jones' margin is approximately 0.73% of the votes cast for the two candidates.

Under Maryland law, the trailing candidate is entitled to a free recount only if the margin is 0.25% or less. Pulliam could still request a recount at her own expense within three days of certification.

What is at stake

If Jones is certified, the Democrats will have six of the seven council seats, with only District 3 Republican Nathan Volke remaining.

District 7 covers parts of southern Anne Arundel County (Edgewater, Deale and parts of Crofton).

The seat opened after Republican Councilwoman Shannon Leadbetter did not seek re-election. Jones is the owner of Chick & Ruth's Delly in Annapolis.