County
County Council Member, Howard County
District 5
- 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.
Taxes & budget
Cat CarterDemocratic
- Supports cutting non-school spending for school maintenance
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
- Pledges not to raise county revenue
Public safety
Cat CarterDemocratic
- Supports continued police training and staffing investment
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
- Supports more police patrols in the rural west
Education
Cat CarterDemocratic
- Supports in-county special education programs to cut costs
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
No documented position found.
Housing
Cat CarterDemocratic
- Supports infill housing and mixed-use redevelopment
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
- Opposes higher school surcharges and transfer taxes on homes
Environment & parks
Cat CarterDemocratic
- Supports rooftop and parking-lot solar
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Cat CarterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
- Supports county-funded caregiver training at Howard Community College
Government & transparency
Cat CarterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Ryan P. O'ConnorRepublican
- Proposes an efficiency review of all county departments
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.