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County Executive · Howard County · 2026 Primary
The County Executive serves as the chief administrator of the county, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and enforcing laws passed by the County Council. This official proposes the annual budget that directs how local tax dollars are spent on services such as public schools, roads, and emergency response. The County Executive also has the power to appoint department heads and can sign or veto legislation affecting the entire county.
View all candidates in this raceLiz Walsh is a Howard County Councilwoman representing District 1 (Ellicott City, Elkridge, Dorsey's Search and Hanover) who has served for eight years as an elected official. By education she is a civil engineer and by profession she is a lawyer. She ran for County Executive in the 2026 race alongside three other Democratic candidates including state Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, Councilmember Deb Jung, and businessman Bob Cockey. Walsh positions herself as a Citizens' Election Fund candidate seeking to serve the public good through what she calls true public service without corporate donors or special interests.
Sources: Campaign website
I am a public servant. I serve the public GOOD.
No more corporate donors, no more special interests, no more fat cats calling the shots. Instead, the actual people who live here, raise their kids here, grow old here—who love here—will matter most, matter all the time, to every single person in local government, starting with me.
I have promised and delivered unflinching focus on GOOD GOVERNMENT I have consistently taken a stand to protect our public safety, constitutional rights and HUMAN DIGNITY
Source: votelizwalsh.com
Inspector General
Establishing an independent watchdog office removed from influence by both Council and Executive to root out fraud, waste and inefficiency in County government
“In my second term on the Council, I initiated this new office, the first Inspector General in Maryland to be established by a local legislator, not the Executive whose departments and agencies would be scrutinized.”
Lawfulness
Stopping developer handouts and ensuring state and local law applies to everyone without waivers or favors for land-use interests
“Stop the Developer LLC Handouts No more waivers and favors for the same handful of land-use interests and their attorneys and lobbyists. This County will not be for sale.”
Housing
Better long-term options for combating homelessness, consolidating affordable housing listings, expanding construction law for affordable housing especially for elders, and increasing availability of smaller homes for sale
“We need better and longer-term options for combating homelessness. We need to consolidate listings of affordable housing availability for rentals.”
Education
Restoring former levels of local investment in schools' operating budget as a fixed percentage of general revenue, fairly paying educators with annual adjustments, and continuing pre-K expansion
“As County Executive, I commit to restore former levels of local investment in our schools' operating budget, as a fixed percentage of general revenue.”
Immigration
Keeping ICE from operating near schools and libraries, training county agencies on non-cooperation with ICE, creating rapid response networks for residents being targeted, and ensuring local law enforcement protects constitutional rights against warrantless searches
“ICE OUT Keep ICE from operating in or around any Howard County schools, libraries, and other government buildings and parking lots.”
Green Spaces
Preserving green spaces and natural waterways, bringing environmentally valuable properties into public domain like Camp Ilchester, accelerating electrification of county-owned buildings, and repurposing school grounds for community gardens
“As County Executive, I commit to adhere to State and local law applicable to forest conservation and other environmental protections.”
The Baltimore Banner reports that Walsh is one of four Democratic candidates who launched campaigns for Howard County Executive in the spring of 2026. The article notes that with three women running for county executive, voters have a chance to elect the first woman to lead the county in 40 years.
“As County Executive, I commit to restore former levels of local investment in our schools' operating budget, as a fixed percentage of general revenue.”
Source“We need better and longer-term options for combating homelessness. We need to consolidate listings of affordable housing availability for rentals.”
Source“I have consistently taken a stand to protect our public safety, constitutional rights and HUMAN DIGNITY”
Source“ICE OUT Keep ICE from operating in or around any Howard County schools, libraries, and other government buildings and parking lots.”
Source“As County Executive, I commit to adhere to State and local law applicable to forest conservation and other environmental protections.”
Source“No more corporate donors, no more special interests, no more fat cats calling the shots. Instead, the actual people who live here...will matter most, matter all the time, to every single person in local government, starting with me.”
Source“Inspector General Honor the Office of Inspector General In my second term on the Council, I initiated this new office, the first Inspector General in Maryland to be established by a local legislator, not the Executive whose departments and agencies would be scrutinized.”
Source