Ertel Apparent Winner In District 5

Mike Ertel, a former president of the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations, has declared victory in the Democratic primary election for the County Council's District 5 seat.

"We did it! Together, we knocked on enough doors, talked to enough people and passed out enough literature to win the Democratic nomination for 5th District," the 44-year-old Democrat wrote Friday in an email to his supporters. "We were the underdog in the race—with the least funding of all the candidates.  But in my opinion, we had the most spirit and enthusiasm."

Ertel will now go on to face Republican David Marks, a transportation consultant and community activist from Perry Hall, in the general election on Nov. 2.

Ertel ran an aggressive campaign in which he used YouTube to point out issues with his rivals. He showed voters that candidate Bill Paulshock lived outside of the district and established his eligibility to run by using the address of his business, which is located in the district. He also aired a video exposing candidate Gordon Harden's legal troubles, including multiple liens filed against him for not paying taxes. 

"It was a tough race, but I look forward to unifying the district and moving forward together," Ertel wrote.

The announcement comes after several days of counting at the county Board of Elections, which was hampered by technical delays following Tuesday's primaries.

Ertel, a commercial insurance broker, ended up defeating Kingsville resident Paulshock by a 321-vote margin—4,854 votes to Paulshock's 4,533, according to the state board of elections. Harden, who conceded Tuesday night, claimed only 1,718 votes despite County Executive James T. Smith Jr.'s endorsement.

Ertel won with $30,641 left in the bank, according to the latest campaign finance reports from early September. Paulshock has just over $18,000, while Harden has more than $45,000.

Ertel is endorsed by the Teacher's Association of Baltimore County, local media organizations, state Sen. James Brochin and Del. Steve Lafferty.

Ertel will now go on to face Republican David Marks, a transportation consultant and community activist from Perry Hall, in the general election on Nov. 2.

GOP candidate Marks, who said he considers Ertel a friend, looks forward to avoiding the heated tone of the Democratic primary.

"I want to conduct a very positive campaign," Marks said Wednesday. "I want the tone of this campaign to be very civil. I want the campaign to focus on how we're going to deal with issues."

Marks highlighted his record and experience and said he provides a new voice sorely needed in Baltimore County.

"There's a real record of reform in Baltimore County and a lot of people think there needs to be a stronger two-party system," he said.