County

County Council Member, Harford County

District C

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county council member votes on county laws, the budget, taxes and land-use decisions.

Candidates Compare by issue

Jessica Ryley Hammond

Democratic

Director of benevolence and counseling; executive director · Bel Air

The gist

Opposes data centers and poorly planned development
Pledges not to accept donations from developers
Supports earlier public notice of major development proposals
Proposes reviewing long-vacant positions before any new taxes
Supports protecting special education and mental health funding
Opposes revisiting council eligibility after court rulings

More about Jessica

View sources (1)

Opposes data centers and poorly planned development
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“including consistently speaking out against data centers and poorly planned development.”
Pledges not to accept donations from developers
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“I will not accept donations from developers.”
Supports earlier public notice of major development proposals
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“That means earlier notice on major proposals, stronger community engagement before decisions are made”
Proposes reviewing long-vacant positions before any new taxes
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“I would begin by reviewing long-vacant positions and budget line items that continue to be funded without clear accountability or measurable results.”
Supports protecting special education and mental health funding
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“I would protect education, public safety and essential community services including special education, mental health and substance use resources”
Opposes revisiting council eligibility after court rulings
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“This issue has already been litigated at multiple levels, including by the Supreme Court of Maryland, which found these community members are eligible to serve.”

Paula S. Etting

Republican

Mayor of Bel Air; retired attorney · Bel Air

The gist

Pledges not to raise county taxes
Opposes expanding water, sewer area or development envelope
Opposes state-imposed high-density housing in Harford
Supports making public safety a top county priority
Supports schools focused on reading, writing and math
Supports ballot question on council members' public employment

More about Paula

View sources (2)

Pledges not to raise county taxes
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“First, success means not raising taxes.”
Opposes expanding water, sewer area or development envelope
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“I oppose expanding the water and sewer service area or the development envelope because those decisions directly drive higher-density growth.”
Opposes state-imposed high-density housing in Harford
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“We are already seeing pressure from the State to impose high-density housing, regardless of whether it fits our local needs.”
Supports making public safety a top county priority
Paula S. Etting for Harford County
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Paula S. Etting · paulasetting.com
“Public safety must remain one of our top priorities.”
Supports schools focused on reading, writing and math
Paula S. Etting for Harford County
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Paula S. Etting · paulasetting.com
“I am committed to seeing that our public schools provide a solid foundation in reading, writing, and mathematics to all students.”
Supports ballot question on council members' public employment
Who is running for Harford County Council in the 2026 election?
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com
“I support putting this issue on the ballot so the voters can decide.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.