Low Turnout in MoCo Special Election

Turnout has so far been sparse in eastern Montgomery County's special election for the District 4 seat of the late Council member Marilyn Praisner.

Most of the polling places in District 4 are schools, which are open today, and that may have discouraged an early morning rush, said Board of Elections' spokeswoman Marjorie Rohrer.

But one polling place that always attracts some action is Leisure World - the large, politically active retirement community. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) made an appearance there today on behalf of Praisner's widow, Don, one of the Democrats seeking her seat.

School board president Nancy Navarro (Northeastern County) said she too was headed there today.

The other Democratic candidates are school civic activist Steve Kanstoroom and federal government consultant Patrick E. "Pat" Ryan.

On the Republican side, the candidates are marketing analyst Mark D. Fennel, IT developer Thomas Hardman, real estate agent and IT businessman John McKinnis and athletic fields specialist Robert P. Patton.