Council President M.C. Keegan-Ayer will advance to the general election in her District 3 Council race, following a tumultuous and eventful process culminating in a narrow party central committee vote.

Among the numerous close races in the 2022 primary elections, none rivaled the Democratic District 3 in Frederick County in terms of tiny margins, and complex outcomes. In the end, incumbent M.C. Keegan-Ayer, sitting as the President of the current Council, will advance to the general election as the party nominee – albeit through a peculiar process.

The vote was extraordinarily close. A margin of three votes for challenger Jazmin Di Cola was initially the final total, but following a recount it was narrowed to a single vote. However, Ms. Di Cola’s candidacy was challenged in court based on residency, and she was later disqualified from her candidacy, a decision she opted not to appeal.

With that turn of events, the county’s Democratic Central Committee was called upon to vote on their nominee, and selected Keegan-Ayer by, yet again, a very narrow margin of 6-5. She will advance to the general election in November, and has already made public statements about advancing “healing” in the months ahead within the community, following a divisive and difficult process.

More background on Council President Keegan-Ayer is available in this profile run on Conduit Street last winter:

Q&A with New MACo Treasurer & Frederick County Council President M.C. Keegan-Ayer