Election limbo brings cautious optimism for those ahead in tight races

The primary was nearly two weeks ago, but some Montgomery County candidates remain in election limbo as canvassers continue to count ballots.

The group includes Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who ran for the District 3 seat on the County Council representing parts of Gaithersburg and Rockville.

Ashman was leading the next-highest vote-getter, Rockville City Council member Izola “Zola” Shaw, by about 400 votes Friday.

He said his day job and family have helped him keep the undecided race in perspective. Plus, he’s run for office before, so he knows the stress that close races can cause.

“I’m in a decent headspace,” he said. “But would I rather know and have some finality here and some closure? Sure.”

David Naimon, president of the Montgomery County board of elections, said in a LinkedIn post Thursday that canvassers will resume counting Monday. After they’ve tabulated all eligible ballots, the board’s results will be audited.

Naimon aims for the election results to be finalized Wednesday or Thursday.

Some election watchers have jumped the gun.

Since Election Day on June 23, Ashman said, he has received “dozens and dozens” of messages from people congratulating him on winning the Democratic nomination. He’s had to inform well-wishers that canvassers are still counting.

“I would say the odds are in my favor, but I’m not ready to make a claim or anything like that,” he said.

Neither Ashman nor Shaw know exactly how many of the outstanding ballots are from District 3 voters.

But amid the uncertainty, and despite trailing, Shaw said she’s feeling “hopeful.”

“Regardless of the outcome, the fact that this is so close means that we’re gonna have to make sure that we work together, Jud and I,” she said.

At large council seat

County school board member Karla Silvestre is among the 17 candidates who ran for an at large seat on the County Council.

The top four vote-getters will advance to the November general election. As of Friday, she had received the fourth-most votes and was 950 ahead of the fifth-place candidate, Fatmata Barrie, who couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Silvestre said she was “cautiously optimistic.” And like Ashman, she’s had to address supporters who thought the counting was over.

“I’ve had people that checked the news Wednesday morning and saw that I was behind, and they come up to me and tell me how sorry they are,” she said with a chuckle, adding that she’s also had people congratulate her prematurely.

Silvestre’s been keeping a close eye on the State Board of Elections website, watching canvassers count ballots. She’s dealt with “a lot of anxiety about what’s gonna happen” in the race.

She said she’s trying to be patient. If her lead holds, she plans to bring her supporters together to celebrate before turning her attention to the general election and preparing to enter office.

Democratic primaries generally dictate elections in deep-blue Montgomery County, so the November general should bring much less anxiety.