After the tragic death of Sam Vincent in a June auto accident, it appeared the Wicomico County GOP wouldn't be able to field a candidate to run for State's Attorney against longtime incumbent Davis Ruark. While W. Seth Mitchell has filed to run against Ruark in the Democratic primary, the filing deadline came and went without the GOP fielding a candidate.

However, through diligent effort and some persuasion by the Republican Central Committee, a young attorney from Salisbury received the nomination from the committee right on the July 21 deadline for filling vacant ballot positions.

Matt Maciarello, a partner with the law firm of Hearne & Bailey, P.A., stepped into the void because he believes he has the education, experience, judgment, and integrity required to effectuate positive chance in the Office of the State's Attorney, according to a press release presented on his behalf. He entered the race at the urging of colleagues, friends, neighbors, and law enforcement.

Ruark has rarely faced a challenge in his previous races for State's Attorney, but a 2008 incident where he was stopped for drunk driving with a loaded weapon in his car raised questions about his job performance. (I predicted this would be an issue in 2010 back when the incident in question occurred.) This time Ruark will get no free pass, and despite the solid background of Mr. Maciarello, the election may be more of a referendum on Ruark's personal life than on the quality of his opponents, which is unfortunate.