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County Council Member · District 4 · Anne Arundel 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 raceJosh D. Peters is a Democratic candidate seeking election to Anne Arundel County Council District 4, driven by the belief that local politics is the frontline of meaningful civic action and the most direct way to make a positive impact in people's lives. Raised in a family committed to community service, he has experience with organizations like Seniors Against Nuclear Arms and Meals on Wheels before earning his BA in Elementary Education from American University in 2006. He taught at an underperforming school in Washington DC and later at The Ridge School of Anne Arundel County, focusing on students with challenging backgrounds and special education needs. Additionally, Peters is the owner of Combat Principles Mixed Martial Arts (CPMMA) in Burtonsville Maryland, having started his business eighteen years ago. His campaign focuses on five core pillars: Education, Public Safety & Accountability, Economic Opportunity, Infrastructure & Environment, and Affordable Housing. He emphasizes that democracy, the rule of law, and civil rights are under attack and hopes to be a defender for friends and neighbors.
Sources: Campaign website
"I'm Joshua Peters. I'm a democrat running for Anne Arundel County Council District 4."
"Local politics is the frontline of civic engagement and the most direct way to make a positive impact in people's lives."
"At a time where democracy, the rule of law, and civil rights are under attack, I hope to be a defender for my friends and neighbors."
"I believe that access to education is paramount to a functioning society."
"As a small business owner myself, I know how hard it can be to open a small business."
"Housing and food are human rights and will lobby to help fund programs that help people in transition."
Source: friendsofjoshuapeters.com
Education
Peters states access to education is paramount to a functioning society and will work to expand resources including before and after school programs, supplementary resources, support services and early intervention. He plans to aggressively pursue best practices in reading instruction such as phonetics instruction and personalized education.
“"I believe that access to education is paramount to a functioning society... we must aggressively pursue best practices in reading instruction such as phonetics instruction and personalized education. This means hiring high qualified teachers, providing meaningful professional development and all of the needed resources so they may best serve our students"”
Public Safety
Peters plans to lobby for robust access to mental health services, early crisis intervention, and proper training of police officers. He also intends to push for jobs programs for teens and young adults.
“"I will lobby for robust access to mental health services, early crisis intervention, and proper training of police officers so they may respond appropriately to the needs of the community that they serve. I will push for jobs programs for teens and young adults."”
Economic Development
Peters intends to streamline permitting, access to capital, and a transparent process from submission of idea to opening the door. He also plans to build jobs training programs as well as adult education opportunities.
“"I will work to streamline permitting, access to capital, and a transparent process from submission of idea to opening the door. I will work to build jobs training programs as well as adult education opportunities."”
Small Business
Drawing on his own experience, Peters notes how difficult it is to open a small business and aims to bring that knowledge to the Council.
“"As a small business owner myself, I know how hard it can be to open a small business. I will work to streamline permitting... It is my sincere hope to bring this knowledge and experience to Anne Arundel County Council."”
Infrastructure
Peters advocates for investing into access to clean water, public parks and green spaces that all can enjoy.
“"I will advocate for investing into access to clean water, public parks and green spaces that all can enjoy."”
Environment
Peters plans to help protect the environment through smart regulation that will protect lands for generations to come without stifling development.
“"I will work to help protect our environment through smart regulation that will protect our lands for generations to come without stifling development."”
Housing
Peters addresses the housing insecurity rate over 30% and plans to establish affordable housing by approving construction of domiciles not all listed as luxury.
“"With a housing insecurity rate over 30%, I will work to help establish affording housing through approving construction of domiciles that are not all listed as luxury."”
The Patch article lists Josh D. Peters as one of seven candidates vying for the Anne Arundel County Council seat in Districts 1 and 4, which encompass the Odenton-Severn area. He is identified as a Democrat running against Republican Thomas Dale Wieland in that district. The article notes the filing deadline has passed and lists him among other contenders like Robert Kinney and Julie Hummer for the June primary election.
“"I believe that access to education is paramount to a functioning society... we must aggressively pursue best practices in reading instruction such as phonetics instruction and personalized education."”
Source“"I will lobby for robust access to mental health services, early crisis intervention, and proper training of police officers so they may respond appropriately to the needs of the community that they serve."”
Source“"I will work to streamline permitting, access to capital, and a transparent process from submission of idea to opening the door. I will work to build jobs training programs as well as adult education opportunities."”
Source“"As a small business owner myself, I know how hard it can be to open a small business."”
Source“"I will advocate for investing into access to clean water, public parks and green spaces that all can enjoy."”
Source“"I will work to help protect our environment through smart regulation that will protect our lands for generations to come without stifling development."”
Source“"With a housing insecurity rate over 30%, I will work to help establish affording housing through approving construction of domiciles that are not all listed as luxury."”
Source