Hanko Re-Elected in New Carrollton

When New Carrollton Mayor Andy Hanko ran for re-election two years ago, the contest was so close that Hanko packed up some of the items in his office, took his telephone off the hook, and went home before the final results were in.

The election on Monday was less of a cliffhanger. The 77-year-old veteran community leader was still at City Hall Monday night when he learned that he defeated civic activist Jacques Chevalier, 450 to 120.

While Chevalier spent many evenings in the parking lot of the Shoppers Food Warehouse seeking potential votes, Hanko won his 12th term in office by focusing on distributing pamplets door to door.

Chevalier is a veteran political activist who in recent years has spoken out on educational issues. In the mayor's race, he accused Hanko and members of the police department of being racist -- a charge that many residents of the diverse town of 13,000 said was untrue.

-- Hamil R. Harris