What’s the job: The legislative branch of Maryland’s county governments. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving county spending and providing oversight of county operations. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Amir Naviwala

Amir Naviwala.
Amir Naviwala. (Courtesy of Amir Naviwala)

Age: 40

Personal: I’m a Muslim American born in the US and of Pakistani descent. I’m a coparent with one child. I have an undergraduate degree from Boston University in Economics, and a graduate degree in accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I worked in accounting for about 12 years, and am now a small business owner in a completely different industry. When time permits, I enjoy lobbying on Capitol Hill with pro-Palestine activist groups. My political values can generally be summarized as Democratic Socialist. I really enjoy spending time with my son and traveling with him. Individually I’m really into hobbies like skiing, free diving, scuba diving, and airsoft.

Education: B.A. Economics from Boston University. Master’s in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Experience: I have heavy reconciliation and MS Excel experience from my approximately 12 years in accounting. I also enjoy lobbying for Palestine and human rights issues on Capitol Hill with orgs like Code Pink when I get time.

Questionnaire

Name: Christana Rigby

Christana Rigby.
Christana Rigby. (Poulomi Banerjee)

Age: 42

Personal: I grew up in Howard County’s public schools, am raising my family here, and have spent the last seven years fighting to make sure it stays a place where every generation can put down roots.

Before running for County Council, I worked as an environmental educator, program manager and grassroots advocate in the nonprofit sector. That background still shapes how I govern: I listen first, build coalitions, and look for solutions that work for the whole community, not just the loudest voices in the room.In my time representing District 3, I have worked to protect families from federal overreach, expand access to affordable housing, grow our schools’ funding, and lower household costs through smarter energy and community programs. I believe local government, done right, is the most direct way to improve people’s daily lives. I show up every day to prove it.

Education: University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC). BA. Environmental Studies

Experience: I have represented Howard County’s District 3 on the County Council since 2018, making me the only countywide incumbent seeking re-election in 2026. A graduate of UMBC’s Environmental Studies program and a lifelong public school advocate, I bring a background as a grassroots organizer to every policy challenge I take on.

On the Council, I have championed economic opportunity and mobility, housing affordability, cleaner environments and neighborhoods, empowering our school system, and transparency and ethical governance. I have advanced renewable energy agreements to lower utility costs, supported the expansion of childcare access, and pushed for a progressive, sustainable revenue model that grows our tax base without overburdening current residents. Regarding housing affordability, I have led the push for transit-oriented redevelopment, expanded accessory dwelling units, and fought for workforce housing so that teachers, firefighters, and essential workers can afford to live in the communities they serve. Environmentally, I expanded composting countywide, championed green building codes, and sponsored the Geothermal Tax Credit. I have delivered record local investment in facilities, from Guilford Park High School to the full funding of Oakland Mills Middle School. I created Howard County’s first independent Office of the Inspector General and passed the Liberty Act to protect every neighbor’s right to access services without fear.I also serve on the Maryland Department of Planning’s Sustainable Growth Subcabinet, the Maryland Comptroller’s Local Government Advisory Council, and the National Association of Counties’ Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee. I am an HCPSS graduate, a public school parent, and the only countywide incumbent seeking re-election in 2026.

Questionnaire