Paid for by Citizens for Colburn Committee. Authority John W. Phillips, Jr., Treasurer

Registration gap shrinking between parties in Caroline
By CHRISTIAN TORRES
Staff Writer - Star Democrat
August 9, 2006

DENTON — The gap is closing between Republican and Democratic voters in the county.

According to the Caroline County Board of Elections, there were 6,844 Democrats and 6,540 Republicans registered to vote in September’s primary election as of Friday. The registration deadline for the primaries is Aug. 22.

That closes the gap between the two parties even more than in the 2004 General Election, when voter registration included 6,839 Democrats and 6,384 Republicans in what has historically been a Democratic county.

The 304-voter margin has officials within the Republican Central Committee believing their party could be in the voting majority by the general election this fall.

The reasons? According to Republican Central Committee member Kenneth Teffeau, extensive voter registration drives and the influx of new residents from other counties.

Republican Central Committee Member Richard Garner said Caroline County is more conservative than it has ever been.

“I think as the Democratic party goes further to the left, the conservative Democrats will be rethinking what party stands for their values “ Garner said.

Garner said he is excited about some of his party’s candidates this year, including state Sen. Richard Colburn, R-37-Mid-Shore, who is running for re-election and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who is running for U.S. Senate.

“I think we’ve got some new people that are very interesting and will surprise a lot of people,” Garner said.

With their majority shrinking, you would think Democrats would be a little nervous about the upcoming elections. Not so, countered Democratic Central Committee Member Jim Voss.

Voss said the party is strong as a result of “meet and greet” events with candidates, one of which is coming up Monday.

He also said his party is strong on issues people in the county care about, including public education and the environment.

On this year’s candidates, Voss said the pool is as strong as it has ever been.

“We think we’ll do well,” Voss said. “I think we have some candidates that are sincerely interested. The mere fact that they’re willing to run means a lot.”