Hornberger loses House seat to Howell in District 35B

• Three-term Delegate Kevin Hornberger will not return to Annapolis in January after he was defeated by Derek Howell in the District 35B primary in Cecil County.

Howell won the primary with 1,492 and Hornberger finished third in the race with 950 votes. Erica Berge took second in this race with 1,121 votes.

“[Tuesday’s] results were not what we hoped for, but I am deeply grateful for every person who stood with me in this campaign,” Hornberger said in a statement.

“Serving Cecil County in the Maryland House of Delegates has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have always believed public service is about showing up, doing the work, and fighting for the people who sent you there. That is what I have tried to do every day.”

Howell had the support of the Maryland Freedom Caucus

House Minority Leader Jason Buckel said he was sad to see that Hornberger would not be returning to the House of Delegates in January.

“Cecil County will be much worse off in terms of having a voice in Annapolis for funding, state support and taking into account policies your county uniquely needs or cannot abide. It’s truly a shame,” Buckel said about Hornberger’s defeat.