County Executive in Howard, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Vanessa Atterbeary — County Executive in Howard, Maryland

  Vanessa Atterbeary is a Democratic candidate for Howard County Executive. A native of Columbia, Maryland, she served in the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 13 from 2015 until her resignation in 2026 to focus on her executive campaign. During her tenure, she chaired the House Ways and Means Committee and the Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland. An attorney, she earned her B.A. from the College of William and Mary and her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. Her legislative priorities have included education funding, gun control, and police reform.

• Bob Cockey — County Executive in Howard, Maryland

  Bob Cockey is a Democratic candidate for County Executive of Howard County, Maryland. A successful businessman and Baltimore restaurateur residing in Elkridge, Cockey is running on a platform of restoring Howard County's status as a premier place to live. His campaign focuses on key issues including community safety, educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and affordability. He aims to bring practical, non-partisan solutions to the county's challenges, leveraging his experience in business and community leadership to unite diverse groups and deliver measurable results for residents.

• Deb Jung — County Executive in Howard, Maryland

  Deb Jung is a Democratic candidate for Howard County Executive. She currently serves on the Howard County Council, representing District 4 since being elected in December 2018. Throughout her time on the council, she has undertaken leadership responsibilities, including serving as both chair and vice-chair. Before entering public office, Jung worked as an attorney. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. Her legal career encompassed roles as a litigation associate and providing dedicated legal counsel to various nonprofit organizations. She has also been an active participant in numerous community organizations and commissions.

• Liz Walsh — County Executive in Howard, Maryland

  Liz Walsh, a Democratic member of the Howard County Council, has represented District 1 since December 3, 2018, and is a candidate for Howard County Executive. Her professional background combines engineering and law. Walsh earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1993. She subsequently worked as a project engineer before pursuing a legal education. In 2000, she obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, which led to a career as a construction lawyer. During her tenure on the council, Walsh has also applied her expertise while serving as the chair of the Howard County Zoning Board.