👩⚖️ Four Women, One Seat: The Quiet Storm Brewing in Howard County
By The Maryland Wire | September 2025
Howard County’s 2026 Democratic primary for County Executive is shaping up to be a historic showdown: four women, each with a distinct base, résumé, and reformist bent. The incumbent, Calvin Ball, is term-limited. The successor? Likely one of these four:
- Jessica Feldmark, Delegate and former Council administrator
- Liz Walsh, Councilwoman and zoning watchdog
- Deb Jung, Councilwoman and publicly financed candidate
- Vanessa Atterbeary, Delegate and Ways and Means Chair—unannounced, but confirmed
The race is still in its early stages, but the outlines are clear. This isn’t just a contest of résumés—it’s a referendum on governance, zoning, equity, and the future of Columbia’s civic soul.
🏛️ Jessica Feldmark: The Bureaucrat with a Base
Jessica Feldmark launched her campaign in June at Blandair Park, flanked by five delegates and two state senators—including Guy Guzzone, chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Her résumé is deep: chief of staff to Ken Ulman, administrator of the County Council, and now Delegate for District 12.
She’s positioning herself as the continuity candidate—experienced, competent, and deeply embedded in the county’s infrastructure. Her campaign is already drawing institutional support, and her launch crowd of 150+ suggests early momentum.
🌱 Liz Walsh: The Zoning Dissenter
Councilwoman Liz Walsh has built her brand on dissent. She’s the lone vote against many of the county’s development deals, often citing environmental concerns and community displacement. Her base is small but vocal—activists, preservationists, and those skeptical of Columbia’s rapid growth.
Walsh hasn’t formally announced, but insiders confirm she’s preparing a campaign rooted in transparency and land-use reform. She’s the insurgent in the race, and her appeal may hinge on how much discontent voters feel toward the current development trajectory.
💸 Deb Jung: The Publicly Financed Progressive
Deb Jung, Councilwoman for District 4, announced her candidacy in April at Cedar Lane Park. She’s running as a publicly financed candidate—emphasizing grassroots support and small-dollar donations. Her platform includes environmental stewardship, women’s rights, and campaign finance reform.
Jung’s challenge will be scale: she’s respected, but her name recognition outside District 4 is limited. Still, her early launch and clean-money message could resonate in a crowded field.
🧭 Vanessa Atterbeary: The Quiet Frontrunner
Vanessa Atterbeary hasn’t announced—but she doesn’t need to. In a direct conversation with The Maryland Wire, she confirmed her intent to run, with a formal launch expected October 15th. Her résumé dwarfs the field: Chair of Ways and Means, architect of police reform, sponsor of child protection laws, and one of the most respected legislators in Annapolis.
Atterbeary’s advantage is structural. She’s known statewide, trusted locally, and positioned to raise serious money. In county races, money matters—and Atterbeary’s Annapolis ties mean she’ll have it. Her candidacy will likely reshape the race, drawing endorsements, donors, and institutional support away from others.
The adddition of Lizz Hammon is a big help to Atterbeary.
🧵 Annotated Takeaway
The 2026 Democratic primary for Howard County Executive is a referendum on governance style:
- Feldmark offers institutional fluency
- Walsh channels grassroots dissent
- Jung brings campaign finance purity
- Atterbeary blends reformist credibility with fiscal firepower
If early signals hold, Atterbeary enters as the quiet frontrunner—unannounced but undeniable. Her candidacy could consolidate support across Columbia’s civic, cultural, and political networks, leaving the others to fight for second place.
📎 Footnotes
1. Candidate Listing – Maryland State Board of Elections: https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/Primarycandidates/index.html
2. Howard County Democratic Central Committee – 2026 Primary Elections: https://hocodems.com/2026-primary-elections/
3. Jessica Feldmark Announces Run – Maryland Reporter: https://marylandreporter.com/2025/06/10/del-jessica-feldmark-runs-for-howard-county-executive/
4. Vanessa Atterbeary – Maryland Manual Online: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa17094.html