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County Council Member · District 1 · Baltimore 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 raceJoseph D. 'Joe' Hooe is an independent candidate for Baltimore County Council District 1, representing Arbutus, Baltimore Highlands, Catonsville, Halethorpe, Lansdowne, Paradise, Relay, St. Denis, and Security. A lifelong Marylander and small business owner who founded The Tire Network 28 years ago in Federal Hill, Hooe earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Management from Johns Hopkins University. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department and is licensed as a Maryland State Inspector. A descendant of founding family members dating to Jamestown's first settlement period, Hooe has been active in Maryland politics for decades, including serving as a Republican nominee for the Maryland House of Delegates multiple times. He advocates for government accountability, economic restoration, jobs, and uniting Marylanders across political parties.
Sources: Campaign website
"I am a small business owner, not a professional politician. I am a lifelong Marylander who believes that we must unite Marylanders from all backgrounds and political parties."
"Our campaign is about people NOT parties!"
"We need jobs and economic restoration. We need government accountability."
"I believe our county workers, and residents have a right to affordable healthcare."
"We must stop big business from over developing our communities."
"Simply put, we need to fully support law enforcement and firefighters."
Source: joehooe.org
Public Safety
Hooe commits to better pay, housing, training, working conditions and legislative protection for police and fire fighters so they can execute their duties without worry about frivolous lawsuits or internal policies.
“"We need to protect and support our police and fire fighters so that they may better protect and serve us. Our sworn servants should never have to worry about frivolous lawsuits or internal policies that prevent them from executing their duties. I am committed to better pay, housing, training, working conditions and legislative protection for police and fire fighters. Simply put, we need to fully support law enforcement and firefighters."”
Healthcare
Hooe believes county workers and residents have a right to affordable healthcare.
“"I believe our county workers, and residents have a right to affordable healthcare."”
Infrastructure
Lansdowne needs a new firehouse that has been needed for too long according to Hooe.
“"It has been too long 'Lansdowne Needs a new Firehouse' let's get it done!"”
Fiscal Policy
Hooe addresses Baltimore County's $80 Million Budget deficit and calls for stopping mismanagement of county assets while practicing asset utilization.
“"Baltimore County is facing an $80 Million Budget deficit; we must stop the mismanagement of county assets and instead practice asset utilization. We can do better!"”
Education
Hooe supports construction of new schools, fought for 23 years toward elimination of study trailers, supports vocational technical programs, and believes school construction must keep pace with rural development.
“"I support the construction of new schools and have fought for 23 years toward the elimination of study trailers. I support the implementation and expansion of vocational technical programs and believe that we must require new school construction to keep pace with rural development and expansion."”
School Safety
Hooe emphasizes keeping children safe in schools through secure and unified learning environments, better surveillance, security, and more teachers who make a key difference.
“"As Marylanders and Americans, our greatest responsibility is to keep our children safe. In our schools we must maintain a secure and unified learning environment. We all have a story about a special teacher who may have made a key difference in our lives and I believe that we need more of those teachers."”
Land Use
Hooe opposes big business over-development and supports responsible zoning that improves communities and protects property values.
“"We must stop big business from over developing our communities." ... "Joe believes in responsible zoning that improves our communities and protects property values."”
Small Business
Hooe identifies as a small business owner who founded The Tire Network, which has become an integral part of the revitalized Federal Hill section.
“"I am a small business owner, not a professional politician." ... "The Tire Network has become an integral part of the revitalized section of Federal Hill where it is located, providing residents with a local small business that they can be proud of."”
Community Development
Hooe advocates for opening primaries to everyone in Baltimore County and has worked on various community initiatives including fighting utility pole issues.
“"We must open our primaries to everyone in Baltimore County!"”
“"I support the construction of new schools and have fought for 23 years toward the elimination of study trailers. I support the implementation and expansion of vocational technical programs"”
Source“"We need to protect and support our police and fire fighters so that they may better protect and serve us. Our sworn servants should never have to worry about frivolous lawsuits"”
Source“"I believe our county workers, and residents have a right to affordable healthcare."”
Source“"Lansdowne Needs A New Firehouse It has been too long ' Lansdowne Needs a new Firehouse' let's get it done!"”
Source“"Baltimore County is facing an $80 Million Budget deficit; we must stop the mismanagement of county assets and instead practice asset utilization."”
Source“"We must stop big business from over developing our communities." ... "Joe believes in responsible zoning that improves our communities and protects property values."”
Source“"I am a small business owner, not a professional politician." ... "The Tire Network has become an integral part of the revitalized section of Federal Hill"”
Source“"We must open our primaries to everyone in Baltimore County!" ... "The Hooe family has been active in Maryland and Virginia politics for almost 400 years"”
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