County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Jack Carmody — County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

  Jack Carmody is a Democratic candidate for the Baltimore County Council, seeking to represent the newly formed Councilmanic District 8. Due to recent redistricting approved by county voters, which expanded the council from seven to nine districts, Carmody's residency will be within the new 8th District, which is the seat he is campaigning for. His campaign is underway for the upcoming 2026 election. He has acknowledged some initial confusion regarding the new district maps but has affirmed his candidacy for District 8.

• Crystal Cody — County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

  Crystal Cody is a Democratic candidate running for Baltimore County Council in District 8. A lifelong resident of Southeast Baltimore County, she is a mother, wife, and the daughter of two veterans. With two decades of experience working across federal, state, and local government, Cody has focused on modernizing systems, improving service delivery, and advocating for working families. Her career began with an AFSCME internship, where she learned the importance of grassroots coalition building. She is running for office to address community challenges and ensure residents receive quality services.

• Sharonda Dillard-Huffman — County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

  Sharonda Dillard-Huffman is a Democratic candidate for the Baltimore County Council, representing Councilmanic District 8. In her professional capacity, she works as an ADA/504 Manager, a role in which she is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to housing and related services. Her public service includes her position as Chair of the Baltimore County Housing Committee with Maryland Inclusive Housing and her previous work as a Planning Ambassador with the Baltimore County Planning Department. An active community organizer, Dillard-Huffman is the founder of the Blue and Gold Democratic Club. She was also a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Morgan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Strayer University.

• Josh Sines — County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

  Josh Sines, a Republican and lifelong resident of Eastern Baltimore County, is running for County Council in the new District 8. A small business owner, truck driver, and farmer, he previously worked at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant until its closure. Sines has a long history of community advocacy, including serving as President of the Essex Middle River Civic Council, where he focused on managing growth and protecting local neighborhoods from overdevelopment. His campaign platform centers on common sense, community-first leadership, and conservation. He prioritizes fiscal responsibility, public safety, and responsible development that aligns with the area's infrastructure.

• Philip DePalo — County Council in Councilmanic District 8, Maryland

  Philip DePalo is a small business owner who was a Republican candidate for Baltimore County Council in Councilmanic District 8, representing the Essex and Middle River communities. His campaign platform focused on key local issues, including the health of waterways, crime reduction, improvements in education, and local job growth. DePalo has a background as a local business owner, operating a marine construction company and a watersports business. He has also been a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in Baltimore County for over two decades. On February 19, 2026, DePalo officially withdrew from the County Council race, endorsing fellow Republican Josh Sines.