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County Council Member · District 1 · 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 raceJames David Handley is a Maryland Assistant Attorney General running for Howard County Council Member in District 1. He is a husband and father raising three children in Ellicott City with his wife Garima, who he describes as a long-time public education advocate. A former Army ROTC member commissioned as a cavalry officer, Handley served five years of active duty including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. As an Assistant Attorney General at Maryland's Attorney General's office, he defends consumers in consumer protection matters, advocates for gun violence prevention, and has filed lawsuits against federal administration actions. He emphasizes the need for publicly funded candidates over special interest money and positions himself as a fighter ready to stand up against what he describes as lawless federal overreach.
Sources: Campaign website
Everyday I fight for Marylanders as an Assistant Attorney General at Maryland's Attorney General's office, defending them in consumer protection, gun violence prevention matters, and pushing back against the Trump administrations' illegal and unethical actions.
I filed the lawsuit against Trump for firing probationary Federal employees, and I will work on the local level to ensure our communities are protected from his administration's overreach.
In this upcoming election, a majority of the council seats are open, and it's time for a new generation of leaders to lead, fight for us, and continue to make Howard County a great place to live.
Every student in Howard deserves a high-quality PreK through 12 education and safe and healthy buildings in which to learn. And our Elkridge community deserves a high school.
Source: handleyforhoward.com
Public Schools
Fully funding county public schools with PreK through 12 education and safe buildings; specifically advocates for an Elkridge high school
“Every student in Howard deserves a high-quality PreK through 12 education and safe and healthy buildings in which to learn. And our Elkridge community deserves a high school.”
Environment and Land Use
Protecting green spaces and historic areas while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with managed growth; specifically mentions safeguarding Lawyers Hill in Elkridge and Old Ellicott City
“Whether it is Lawyers Hill in Elkridge or Old Ellicott City, we must safeguard these local treasures, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with smart and managed growth.”
Affordability and Local Economy
Ensuring teachers, first responders, nurses, and union members can live in the community they serve; maintaining Howard County as a great place to call home for families
“Howard County is still a great place to call home, however, that dream is increasingly out of reach for too many families. Our teachers, first responders, nurses, and union members must be able to live in the community they serve.”
“Every student in Howard deserves a high-quality PreK through 12 education and safe and healthy buildings in which to learn.”
Source“Protecting our green and vulnerable spaces. Whether it is Lawyers Hill in Elkridge or Old Ellicott City, we must safeguard these local treasures.”
Source“Development has too often won out over preservation of our green and historic spaces. Whether it is Lawyers Hill in Elkridge or Old Ellicott City, we must safeguard these local treasures.”
Source“Howard County is still a great place to call home, however, that dream is increasingly out of reach for too many families. Our teachers, first responders, nurses, and union members must be able to live in the community they serve.”
Source