Harris ousts Gilchrest, Edwards beats Wynn, Obama and McCain romp in Maryland

Two incumbent Maryland Congressmen were lost their bids for re-election in Tuesday’s primary, while Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain easily won their respective presidential primaries.

State Sen. Andy Harris ousted seven-term Rep. Wayne Gilchrist by a 44%-32% margin, with State Sen. E.J. Pipkin, a late entrant into the race, finishing third with 21%. Joe Arminio and Robert Banks each won 2% in the first district GOP primary. Harris will face Frank Kratovil, who won the Democratic nod by a 40%-31% margin over Christopher Robinson and two others.

In District 4, eight-term Rep. Albert Wynn was defeated in the Democratic primary by Donna Edwards, a lawyer and community activist who came within 2,725 votes of defeating Wynn in the 2006 primary. She will face Republican James Peters, who won a competitive four-way primary with 39%.

Republicans are strongly favored to hold the first district seat with Harris, and Edwards is the heavy favorite to win the general election>

In the Democratic presidential primary, Obama defeated Hillary Clinton by a comfortable 59%-37% margin. Clinton has the support of Gov. Martin O’Malley and U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski. McCain won 55%-29% over his last remaining challenger, Mike Huckabee.

In the third district, Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes easily won renomination for a second term, defeating John Rea with 89% of the vote. He will face Republican Thomas Harris, who won a relatively narrow 39%-32% victory over John Stafford in the four-candidate GOP race.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer won an 83%-17% victory in his bid for a 15th term, and will face Republican Bailey Collins in November. Collins defeated Mike Hethmon and Jesse Dann in a 44%-28%-27% primary.

Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett won his GOP primary with 78% of the vote against four challengers. He will face Democrat Jennifer Doughtery, who defeated Andrew Duck, 44%-37%, and three other challengers.

Two other Democratic incumbents faced challenges: Elijah Cummings won 93% on his primary, while Christopher Van Hollen took 88%.