WTOP

The tight race to become Maryland’s newest congressman is nearly over.

Voters in the 1st congressional district are choosing between Republican state Sen. Andy Harris and Democrat Frank Kratovil to fill Republican Wayne Gilchrest’s seat. The moderate Gilchrest lost a primary race to the conservative Harris in the district, which encompasses the Eastern Shore and parts of the counties of Baltimore, Cecil and Harford.

Kratovil is the Queen Anne’s County state’s attorney. He’s a moderate who hopes to get enough votes from socially conservative Democrats to return the seat to his party for the first time in 20 years.

State Democrats also cling to hope for a victory in the 6th District, where former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty is challenging incumbent Republican Roscoe Bartlett.