Four Women, One Seat: The Storm Rages in Howard County
By The Maryland Wire | October 2025
Howard County’s 2026 Democratic primary for County Executive is now officially a historic showdown: four declared women candidates, each with a distinct base, résumé, and reformist bent, vying to replace the term-limited incumbent, Calvin Ball.
The field is set: Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, Delegate Jessica Feldmark, Councilwoman Deb Jung, and Councilwoman Liz Walsh are all in the race. This isn’t just a contest of résumés—it’s a referendum on governance, zoning, equity, and the future of Columbia’s civic soul.
🧭 Vanessa Atterbeary: The Announced Frontrunner 🚀
The dynamic has shifted: Vanessa Atterbeary is no longer unannounced; she formally declared her candidacy in late September/early October 2025, confirming the expectation. The Chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee is now officially running.
Her advantage remains structural: she is a highly respected legislator in Annapolis, having architected landmark police reform and child protection laws. Her candidacy has already drawn significant institutional weight, including endorsements from former County Executive Ken Ulman, State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, and County Councilman Opel Jones. This blend of reformist credibility and fiscal firepower instantly positions her as the race’s leading contender.
The Lizz Hammon Factor: The mention of Lizz Hammon‘s addition is a key insight. Hammon is a seasoned political and communications strategist, and her involvement underscores the professional and high-level structure of the Atterbeary campaign.
🏛️ Jessica Feldmark: The Institutional Path
Jessica Feldmark remains the continuity candidate. She launched her campaign in June with a major show of support, and her deep résumé—including chief of staff to Ken Ulman and County Council administrator—positions her as the most knowledgeable in county infrastructure and bureaucracy.
Her early momentum has been validated by continued institutional support. Facing the Atterbeary challenge, Feldmark’s campaign is focused on utilizing her extensive local network and deep knowledge base to counter the statewide recognition and fundraising prowess of the new frontrunner.
💸 Deb Jung: The Publicly Financed Progressive
Councilwoman Deb Jung formally filed for the race on September 16, 2025, continuing to run as a publicly financed candidate. Her focus on environmental stewardship, women’s rights, and campaign finance reform provides a clear progressive lane in the primary.
Her strategy hinges on leveraging small-dollar donations and grassroots activism, aiming for a strong showing that transcends her District 4 base. In a crowded field with two Annapolis heavyweights, her “clean-money” message offers a distinct point of contrast, particularly appealing to voters wary of big-money politics.
🌱 Liz Walsh: The Zoning Watchdog
Councilwoman Liz Walsh is also now a declared candidate. True to form, her campaign is rooted in transparency and land-use reform. She has established a reputation as the council’s lone dissenter on numerous development deals, voicing concerns about environmental impact and community displacement.
Walsh is the insurgent in the race, banking on a base of preservationists and activists who feel the county’s rapid development has compromised the vision of Columbia. Her success will depend on how widespread voter dissatisfaction is with the county’s current development trajectory.
🧵 Annotated Takeaway
The addition of Delegate Atterbeary as a fully declared candidate has instantly solidified the Quiet Frontrunner narrative.
The Democratic primary is now a clear contrast of approaches:
Atterbeary: Statewide experience, reform credentials, and powerful fundraising/endorsements.
Feldmark: Institutional fluency, deep county ties, and a stable, experienced base.
Jung: Grassroots energy and campaign finance purity from the progressive left.
Walsh: Insurgent dissent focused on land-use and anti-development reform.
The race for second place—and a true contest for the nomination—will hinge on whether Feldmark, Jung, or Walsh can effectively consolidate the non-Atterbeary vote. With the primary still months away (June 2026), the battle for endorsements, local media attention, and early campaign dollars is only just beginning.
The best rundown of candidates and their positions that I’ve seen. I feel like I can cast an educated ballot.
Nice to see a field of women.