Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
County Council Member · District 2 · Howard County · 2026 Primary
County Council Members serve as the legislative branch of county government, passing local laws and approving the annual budget that funds public schools, roads, and emergency services. They set local tax rates and make final decisions on land use and zoning, which determines where new homes and businesses can be built. This office is responsible for prioritizing how your tax dollars are spent and managing the long-term growth and infrastructure of your community.
View all candidates in this raceArinze Malcolm Ifekauche is a 39-year-old Oakland Mills resident running for Howard County Council District 2 as a Democrat. He brings nearly 18 years of experience in politics and public policy across federal, state, and local government levels. His career includes roles as a Capitol Hill policy aide during the Obama administration, campaign manager for Marilyn Mosby's election as youngest Chief Prosecutor in America, Communications Director for the Maryland Democratic Party, and Baltimore City communications lead during the Mpox outbreak. He is an award-winning communications professional with degrees in Public Relations who serves as Chair of Kappa League youth mentorship program and board member of Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation. Ifekauche runs on a platform focused on expanding the middle class through affordable housing, childcare access, economic development, neighborhood safety, and protecting school budgets.
Sources: Campaign website
"I know what it takes to make life better for my community. I've spent the last 18 years working in politics and public policy at the Federal, State, and local levels."
"We need leaders who are willing to listen to new ideas, compromise, and keep the promises they made to the community they serve."
"I'm running because fewer and fewer people can afford to raise their families in Howard County. Howard County is overexposed to Federal job cuts with nearly 21,000 residents working for the feds while living in Howard County."
"District 2 needs an experienced leader on the County Council to respond to these challenges. That is why I am focused on making Howard County's middle class bigger, stronger, and more resilient to the rising cost of living, childcare, and housing."
Source: voteforarinze.com
Quality Housing Options
Providing $20,000 tax credit to seniors seeking to downsize homes while increasing housing inventory for first-time homebuyers
“"I have a plan to REIGNITE OUR HOUSING MARKET by providing a $20,000 TAX CREDIT TO SENIORS seeking to cut living expenses through downsizing, while increasing our housing inventory for first time homebuyers."”
Childcare for Working Families
Pursuing policies that make quality childcare accessible at reasonable prices for dual-income and single-parent households with a 65% cut to daycare costs
“"I will pursue and support policies that make it easier for dual income and single parent households to ACCESS QUALITY CHILDCARE AT A REASONABLE PRICE."”
A Thriving Local Economy
Attracting new major employers through aggressive outreach to private sector, transforming Howard County into an economic engine in Maryland
“"WE MUST ATTRACT NEW MAJOR EMPLOYERS TO HOWARD COUNTY through aggressive and strategic outreach to the private sector. Howard County offers great schools, safe neighborhoods, attractive office space and a strong tax base."”
Safe Neighborhoods
Investing in youth engagement and family resources as proactive deterrent to violence, plus strategic investments in technology and community partnerships for public safety outcomes
“"I support INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND FAMILY RESOURCES as a proactive deterrent to violence in our community. Additionally, there are opportunities to drive better public safety outcomes through STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPING KEY PARTNERSHIPS within the community."”
Protecting School Budgets
Advocating that all collectively bargained salary and compensation agreements must be honored in operating budgets, with 85% of school budget dedicated to salaries
“"As a fierce advocate for labor, I believe that ALL COLLECTIVELY BARGAINED SALARY AND COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS MUST BE HONORED IN OUR OPERATING BUDGETS."”
The Maryland Wire reports that Arinze Malcolm Ifekauche has entered the Democratic field for District 2 alongside Regina McLendon, a principal running on public safety and community healing platforms. The article describes the race as being defined by grassroots credibility and trauma-informed governance approaches.
“"FAMILIES NOW AND IN THE FUTURE DESERVE QUALITY SCHOOL FACILITIES. More than 85% of the school operating budget is dedicated to salaries."”
Source“"I have a plan to REIGNITE OUR HOUSING MARKET by providing a $20,000 TAX CREDIT TO SENIORS seeking to cut living expenses through downsizing"”
Source“"Columbia has been rocked by several recent instances of gun-violence. Tragedies like these shatter our sense of security and highlight the needs of our underserved communities."”
Source“"I will champion policies and efforts to transform Howard County into an economic engine in Maryland."”
Source“"Read Arinze's plan to provide a $20,000 property tax credit to longtime residents seeking downsize their homes and reduce their cost of life."”
Source“"I spend much of my free time serving as Chair of a Howard County focused youth mentorship program (Kappa League)."”
Source