By Greg Bassett

Incumbent Chris Adams of Salisbury and political newcomer Tom Hutchison of Woolford will advance to the November general election, seeking seats representing District 37B in the Maryland General Assembly.

Two delegates represent the sprawling election district that includes the western portion of Wicomico County, portions of Dorchester and Caroline counties, and all of Talbot County.

Some mail-in and provisional ballots have yet to be counted, but there are not enough to change the outcome. Adams’ vote total is 6,272 and Hutchison’s count is 5,865.

Nicole Acle of Salisbury will finish third with 4,201 votes; Ron James of Rhodesdale will finish fourth with 1,455 votes.

Incumbent Adams, a Salisbury business owner, is seeking a third term, having first been elected in 2014. Born in Salisbury, he attended Wicomico Senior High School and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business from Salisbury University. He is a member of the House Economic Matters Committee.

Hutchison is a small-business owner known for his redevelopment work with Cambridge Main Street.

He and Adams had announced they were running as a political team, as two delegates represent the sprawling district.

Acle gave up her seat on the Wicomico County Council to challenge for the state legislative post. She was appointed to an open Wicomico County Council District 2 seat in 2019 and won a special election in 2020.

“I am humbled and grateful for the support received on election day! I look forward to continuing a strong tradition of constituent service and thoughtful voting for the citizens of District 37B,” Adams said last week. “It has been, and continues to be, an honor of a lifetime to serve in Maryland's House of Delegates. I do not take one moment of that time representing you for granted.”

Acle said she will remain active in local issues.

“The election didn't turn out as we wanted it. But I am proud that I ran this campaign on my own merits and ideas, took no PAC or significant donor funds, and conducted a campaign with an enthusiastic volunteer staff,” Acle said in a social media post. “Be assured that I will cherish meeting each of you, and I will remain active in local, county and state affairs.”

Adams was the top vote-getter in Caroline and Wicomico counties, with 1,098 votes and 1,138 votes respectively.

Hutchison was the top vote-getter in Talbot and Dorchester counties. Acle competed best in Caroline County.

Democrat Susan Delean-Botkin of Oxford is the lone candidate for her party and automatically advances to the November election. She received 5,767 votes.