SNOW HILL -- Beau Oglesby is the unofficial state's attorney-elect for Worcester County and Jim Mathias is the unofficial state senator-elect for District 38 after the third canvass of absentee votes was held Friday.In the race for state Senate, Michael James called Mathias to concede and congratulate him on his victory after learning Mathias holds 23,527 votes to Michael James' 22,896 -- a margin of 631.
In a statement to The Daily Times, James said it had been "an honor and a privilege" to participate in the election.
"Though I wish the outcome was different, I truly believe we influenced and helped shape the agenda for the Eastern Shore with our ideas, our positions and with the honest and assertive nature of our campaign," James said.
Jim Mathias was unable to be reached for comment.
With 10,465 votes, Joel Todd will not be able to overcome the 90-vote lead Oglesby holds at the final canvass. Even if Todd receives all possible 85 votes in the final canvass, he would still be 5 votes shy of a tie.
"We are thrilled by the outcome and with the way the campaign was run," Oglesby said. "I am thrilled to be looking down the road and looking forward to being a productive state's attorney."
Oglesby was able to speak to Todd after the votes were totaled and said the two have already been working together and plan to continue working together to bring Oglesby up to speed on pending cases.
In a statement provided to The Daily Times, Todd said he will work to make the transition as smooth as possible.
"It has been my honor and my pleasure to serve the citizens and visitors of Worcester County as a prosecutor since July 1, 1985," Todd said. "The role of state's attorney is at times difficult and demanding with a need, sometimes, to balance what is popular against what is ethical and what is just. During my time in office I have learned that what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular."
In total, Oglesby holds 10,555 votes.
The next canvass is scheduled to be held Nov. 22 when 35 absentee ballots will be counted, in addition to 14 overseas ballots, which have already been received by the Worcester County Board of Elections. However, that number is subject to change.
The board mailed out 50 ballots to overseas citizens and soldiers. If they were returned to the board by Nov. 22, they will be counted in the final canvass.
