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County Council Member · District 1 · Wicomico 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 raceShanie P. Shields is an incumbent Democratic member of the Wicomico County Council representing District 1, seeking re-election to a second term in 2026. A lifelong Salisbury resident, she previously served over a decade on the Salisbury City Council, representing the minority-majority District 1 seat, before losing her council seat to April Jackson in 2015. She made a political comeback in 2022, winning the Wicomico County Council District 1 seat with 66 percent of the vote over Republican Kyle E. Cole. She has served on the County Council since December 2022 and also serves on the Wicomico County Board of Health. District 1 is the county's minority-majority district, covering west Salisbury and northwestern portions of Wicomico County. Her campaign priorities have included addressing homelessness, expanding affordable housing, improving communication between county government and residents, addressing mental health needs holistically, and supporting senior citizens' access to transportation and services. She is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face the winner of the Republican primary in the November 3, 2026 general election.
The Delmarva Now article from February 26, 2026 reports on candidates who filed to run for the 2026 Maryland Primary Election across Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. The filing deadline was February 23, with Shanie P. Shields among those who submitted their candidacy documents.