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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 raceJean Xu is running for Howard County Council District 1 as a Democrat to succeed Councilwoman Liz Walsh who is seeking county executive in 2026. She describes herself as a community advocate and leader who arrived in America thirty-five years ago with $100 and two suitcases, relying on neighbors to build her life before committing twenty years of service through volunteerism and leadership roles including Chair of the Ethics Commission and member of the Board of Appeals. Xu stands for a thriving, inclusive, and affordable community where every resident can succeed, emphasizing that real change comes from the community rather than big money by certifying with the Citizen's Election Fund to reject corporate or PAC donations. She advocates for fully funding schools, aligning development with infrastructure capacity, protecting open spaces, and ensuring public safety through mental health investment and transparency in government decision-making. Her campaign focuses on delivering results and building a community where all can thrive while maintaining accountability across government levels.
Sources: Campaign website
Jean Xu is stepping up to run for Howard County Council to fight for a thriving, inclusive, and affordable community where every resident can succeed.
Her campaign is powered by people, not special interests, because real change comes from the community, not big money.
Lifted by Community Thirty-five years ago, Jean arrived in America with $100, two suitcases, and no one to call. She spent her first night in an airport and worked hard to build a life in Howard County.
Jean believes everyone deserves an equal voice —not just those with money or influence.
Elkridge has waited long enough.
Columbia has been receiving disproportionate county capital expenditures for decades. What will you do to repair the damage Columbia has done to the rest of the county ?
Source: jeanxu4council.com
Education
Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. Jean will fully fund our schools and invest in our educators while addressing deferred maintenance so students can learn in safe, modern, and well maintained buildings.
“Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community.”
Housing
Jean will promote affordability and a diversity of housing options to ensure growth enhances rather than diminishes community needs.
“Promote affordability and a diversity of housing options”
Public Safety
Invest in mental health services, youth programs, and early intervention to prevent crises before they happen while supporting first responders with resources and staffing.
“Invest in mental health services, youth programs, and early intervention to prevent crises before they happen”
Environment
Protect open spaces, parks, and forests so growth enhances, not diminishes, our natural environment.
“Protect open spaces, parks, and forests so growth enhances, not diminishes, our natural environment.”
Land Use
Ensure development is aligned with school capacity, infrastructure, and community needs through smart growth planning.
“Ensure development is aligned with school capacity, infrastructure, and community needs”
Government Ethics
As Chair of the Howard County Ethics Commission, she upheld the highest standards of integrity, ensuring fair and consistent application of ethics rules.
“As Chair of the Howard County Ethics Commission, she upheld the highest standards of integrity”
External reporting notes that Jean Xu does not identify with standard political labels like conservative, liberal, or moderate, though her campaign accounts have posted photos at a No Kings rally and she published a letter criticizing school book bans which fueled speculation about her party affiliation. A 2016 news article surfaced in social media groups suggesting she voted for President Donald Trump, while Xu denied this claim and stated she never gave interviews saying she had during that time. The report also highlights her fluid political history since becoming a naturalized citizen in 2000, noting her party affiliation has shifted between Republican, independent, and Democrat to allow service on the Board of Appeals which requires a mix of parties. Additionally, critics have raised questions about her motivations for running as a Democrat given her bond with liberal Councilwoman Liz Walsh, whom she is seeking to succeed in District 1.
“Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community.”
Source“Promote affordability and a diversity of housing options”
Source“Invest in mental health services, youth programs, and early intervention to prevent crises before they happen”
Source“Protect open spaces, parks, and forests so growth enhances, not diminishes, our natural environment.”
Source“Ensure development is aligned with school capacity, infrastructure, and community needs”
Source“As Chair of the Howard County Ethics Commission, she upheld the highest standards of integrity.”
Source“Strengthen coordination between land use decisions and long-term capital planning”
Source