Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, formally announced her candidacy for Howard County Executive on Wednesday night, joining a growing field of Democratic women vying for the position. Addressing a crowd of over 300 supporters at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia, Atterbeary pledged to prioritize school funding, affordable housing, police reform, and gun control, drawing on her legislative experience in Annapolis.
Atterbeary is the fourth Democratic woman to leave a secure elected office to run for county executive, setting up a potentially contentious primary. Her announcement follows endorsements for Del. Jessica Feldmark from key figures including state Sen. Guy Guzzone, chair of the Senate Budget and Tax Committee, and former County Executive Ken Ulman. However, Atterbeary has secured backing from State Treasurer Dereck Davis, House Speaker Adrienne Jones, and County Council member Opel Jones, among others.
“We have an opportunity for a fresh start next year here in Howard County with new people and new ideas,” Atterbeary said in her 17-minute speech. She emphasized unity despite potential divisions, stating, “Behind closed doors, we all know that families can argue, but when those doors open, we have to come together around a vision for the betterment of the county.” Atterbeary also highlighted her ability to navigate state politics: “As county executive, I will also go to Annapolis, a place I’m a little familiar with, to make sure Howard County has the resources that we need.”
The race for county executive, which oversees a jurisdiction of 340,000 residents, has drawn multiple Democratic contenders. In addition to Atterbeary and Feldmark, County Council members Deb Jung and Liz Walsh are also running. The winner of the Democratic primary is widely expected to prevail in the general election. Atterbeary’s announcement at the historically Black Harriet Tubman Cultural Center drew a heavily African American crowd, including current and former officials from outside Howard County such as Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker.
Atterbeary’s campaign promises to build workforce housing, strengthen the school system, and preserve the county’s character. “Howard County deserves a leader who listens, who unites, who gets things done and who does not forget what she is fighting for,” she concluded. The primary election will test whether her message resonates in a field of experienced female lawmakers, each with their own established networks and endorsements.
