'Apple ballot' candidates move to top spots in school board race; Lowe climbs to sixth

Three ‘apple ballot’ candidates — endorsed by Frederick County Public Schools’ employee unions — have moved into the top three places as ballot counting in the primary election continues this week.

Also, Veronica Lowe, who was in seventh place as of Friday, has climbed into sixth place, according to the latest results posted on Monday.

The top six candidates will advance from the May 14 primary to the Nov. 5 general election.

They are competing for three seats on the Frederick County Board of Education. None of the three incumbents ran for re-election.

The candidates in the top five as of Friday remained in those five spots once new results were posted on Monday, but in a different order.

Jaime Kiersten Brennan, who had been in the lead since primary election day, has dropped to fourth. She has 12,318 votes.

She is now behind Janie Monier, who is leading with 13,963 votes; Josh Bokee, who has 13,773 votes; and Chad King Wilson Sr., who has 13,451 votes. Monier, Bokee and Wilson had the FCPS unions’ support on the “apple ballot.”

Colt Morningstar Black, now in fifth place, has 11,244 votes.

Board of Education 2024 Primary Election Results

Lowe, who had been in seventh place, 380 votes behind Tabitha McLoughlin, as of Friday, is now in sixth place — 166 votes ahead.

Lowe has 6,616 votes and McLoughlin has 6,450 votes.

Next is Mahesh Aitha, with 5,931 votes, in eighth place among the 17 candidates who appeared on the ballot.

There appears to be nearly 900 mail-in ballots left to count, based on what had arrived to the Frederick County Board of Elections as of Monday.

The board also will be reviewing and counting provisional ballots, which are cast at the polls where there is a question, usually about a voter’s eligibility or registration.

The board will begin canvassing provisional ballots on Wednesday.

The results of the elections are expected to be certified on Friday.