Munson wins GOP Senate nomination

September 16, 1998|By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI

Maryland Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington, will likely serve his third term in office after apparently defeating opponent H. Victoria "Vikki" Nelson during Tuesday's primary.

The senator will run unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election since no Democrats filed for the seat.

In the race, the incumbent received 5,185 votes, while Nelson garnered 1,699. Election results were complete but unofficial.

"I feel incredible. I love my job. This is great," said Munson, 60, of Hagerstown, during a victory celebration at the Corner Pub.

The senator said he felt good about the race throughout and received plenty of positive support from voters while going door-to-door.

As for his goals for his next term in office, Munson said he will continue the course he set more than 20 years ago.

"When I ran back in 1974, I made two promises. One was to do this job full time - the amount of work is incredible - and second is to represent the constituents as best I could in terms of voting their desires in Annapolis. I am going to continue to keep those promises,'' he said.

Munson also said he would like to see the income tax lowered and enhanced crime prevention efforts.

He was first elected to the General Assembly in 1974, spending his first 16 years in the House of Delegates. He has been in the state Senate since 1990.

Nelson was Munson's first primary challenge since 1974.

"I' m obviously disappointed. I felt I had truly given the people a choice - something they haven't been given in the past many years,'' she said.

"I will try again, perhaps at another level," she said.

Nelson based her platform on promoting standard conservative values such as battling taxes and government regulations, issues with which she said she is familiar with as a business owner.

Members of the Senate earn $29,700 annually, but are scheduled to receive a raise of $1,809 over the next four years.

Senate District 2 includes most of Washington County, including Hagerstown and southern and western parts of the county. The northeastern section of the county and areas just north of Hagerstown belong to District 3.

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