County
County Executive, Howard County
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 4 years
- Candidates
- 2
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: The county executive runs county government day to day, proposes the county budget and appoints department heads.
Taxes & budget
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Pledges disciplined budgeting to meet school funding mandates
Nater KaneGreen
No documented position found.
Public safety
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Supports data-driven policing with independent oversight
Nater KaneGreen
- Proposes replacing school police officers with trained staff
- Opposes county surveillance systems and automated ticketing
Education
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
No documented position found.
Nater KaneGreen
- Supports universal pre-K and full-day summer programs
Housing
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Supports tenant protections and eviction prevention programs
Nater KaneGreen
- Proposes rent stabilization capping increases at 2.25%
Economy & jobs
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
No documented position found.
Nater KaneGreen
- Supports a $30 minimum wage by 2030
Environment & parks
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Proposes electrifying county facilities and vehicle fleet
Nater KaneGreen
- Opposes new natural gas infrastructure
Health & human services
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Pledges financial programs helping seniors age in place
Nater KaneGreen
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
No documented position found.
Nater KaneGreen
- Supports public financing of all elections
Courts & justice
Vanessa AtterbearyDemocratic
- Led Maryland's police accountability reforms as a delegate
Nater KaneGreen
No documented position found.
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; 9 issues covered in this race.