Politics & Government
McMAHAN AGAIN? Incumbent One Step from Retaining County Council Seat
James McMahan defeated fellow Republican Terence Hanley Tuesday and is one step closer to retaining his seat in the County Council race for District C.
James McMahan said that the County Council seat for District C needed someone who was experienced. The voters agreed, so far.
The incumbent leads Town Commissioner Terence Hanley in the primary by a ratio of 3-to-2 with 81.3 percent of the votes in. All but three of the precincts, which include absentee and provisional ballots, have been tallied.
McMahan now will face Democrat Jack Feldman, who was unopposed Tuesday, in the November general election.
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McMahan was thankful for the support of his voters.
"We have been told that we have won the primary election. I am humbled by the constituents. The voters have evidently seen fit to return me to my seat," McMahan said from David Craig's headquarters shortly after 10 p.m. "They obviously have been in agreement with my concepts for smaller government and lower taxes."
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Phone calls placed to Hanley were not immediately returned. Hanley has said that he plans to finish his term as a Town Commissioner and run for the position again in 2011.
McMahan—also known around the county as "Captain Jim"—was born, raised and educated in Bel Air. A longtime local radio and television personality, McMahan purchased WAMD with a group of investors in 1978. He managed the station and hosted programming until he retired in 2003.
He was elected in 2006 after serving four years as a Bel Air Town Commissioner.
McMahan said his focuses include "smaller government, lowering taxes."
He voiced his excitement to continue working with Council President Billy Boniface, and the rest of the Republicans on the County Council.
"I'm humbled by the fact that I did not lose one precinct in my district," McMahan said. "I'm humbled by the people that came out and voted for me and I promise that I will continue to work for them in the next four years."
Video to follow.