CUMBERLAND — David Morgan finished first in voting for sheriff of Allegany County, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election.
Morgan, a major with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, was among three Republican candidates who ran for the office. He received 4,120 votes, followed by Rich Godlove with 1,154 and Andrew Opel with 407 votes.
Morgan garnered 72.5% of the total votes with all 30 precincts reporting, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.
No Democrats ran for sheriff, leaving Morgan with no competition in the Nov. 3 general election. By winning the primary, Morgan is now in line to be sworn in as the next sheriff.
Current Sheriff Craig Robertson announced his retirement after serving four terms.
Morgan, who has worked in law enforcement for over 30 years, served under Robertson.
Godlove was a former officer with the Cumberland Police Department and had worked for the Federal Bureau of Corrections. He also was the former owner of a restaurant in Frostburg.
Godlove finished with 20.3% of the vote.
Opel, 37, is retired from the U.S. Air Force security detail. He is a program director for Common Ground Revival, a community advocacy group helping to rehabilitate people facing challenges, including addiction.
Opel garnered 7.1% of the vote.