Report: Votes Split On Replacement For Pipkin

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The person who will fill a vacant state Senate seat on the Eastern Shore will likely be chosen by Maryland's governor because votes for a replacement are split.

The Star Democrat of Easton reports that the four committees able to vote on a successor for Sen. E.J. Pipkin have split their vote. The Republican resigned Aug. 12 to move to Texas.

Pipkin's former legislative district includes Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne's counties. The Republican Central Committee from each county gets to submit a name to Gov. Martin O'Malley to formally make the appointment.

But the paper reports that two of the committee votes went to Del. Steve Hershey. Two others went to Del. Michael Smigiel. As a result, O'Malley gets to decide who gets the seat.

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