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: Arinze Malcolm Ifekauche

Arinze Malcolm Ifekauche.
Arinze Malcolm Ifekauche. (Shot by T Photography)

Age: 40

Personal: My name is Arinze (ah-wren-zay) Ifekauche (if-uh-koo-chey) and I am an award-winning communications and public affairs professional with 18 years of experience in public policy, politics, and communications. And I have spent my entire career working to implement public policies that genuinely improve people’s lives.

I spend much of my free time serving as Chair of a Howard County focused youth mentorship program (Kappa League). I’ve even expanded the mentorship program to include a grant funded partnership with the Howard County Local Children’s Board to reduce suspension rates among Black and Latino middle school boys in Elkridge. I also serve as a board member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation of Columbia, MarylandI’m an Oakland Mills resident, PTA member, and 40-year-old married father of three. We belong to the Columbia Chapter of Jack & Jill and teach Sunday School at Celebration Church in Columbia.

Education: Master’s Degree in Public Relations, Kent State University (Kent, OH)

Bachelor’s Degree in Public RelationsMinor in Political Science, University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)

Experience: Currently

I serve as Director of Communications and Deputy Legislative Director for the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention & Policy (GOCPP). The agency administers a $300M grant portfolio supporting law enforcement, victim services, re-entry, juvenile justice, and community violence intervention2024I launched a youth engagement program with the Howard County Local Children’s Board to reduce suspension rates through Social Emotional Learning and mentorship2022I led Baltimore’s communications response to the Monkeypox Outbreak by encouraging residents to receive life-saving vaccines2019As Communications Director for the Maryland Democratic Party, I worked with Democrats and the Teacher’s Union to transform Maryland schools2014-2015I was named “Rising Star” by Campaign & Elections Magazine for electing Marilyn Mosby the youngest Chief Prosecutor in America and drafting her Freddie Gray Speech announcing police brutality charges2012I was recruited by Governor O’Malley’s administration to support the Marriage Equality campaign so love is expressed freely by all2009-2010I worked as a Democratic policy aide during the 111th Congress that: - Reformed predatory credit card practices- Created Obamacare- Passed student loan forgiveness2008I managed what the Democratic Party considered America’s best Congressional door-knocking program to help deliver a congressional super majority to President Obama

Questionnaire

Name: Jessica Nichols

Jessica Nichols.
Jessica Nichols. (Meaghan Ringgold)

Age: 50

Personal: My husband and I live in Elkridge with our daughter and our family dog. My daughter is a high school honors student who plays the cello and is active in chorus and step team. We have a grown son who lives in Silver Spring. He graduated with a PhD from MIT and currently teaches Economics at UMD. We are members of Columbia Community Center of Seventh Day Adventists.

Education: BS in Secondary Education, Social Studies - University of Mary College Park 2001

Master of Science in Human Resource Development and Educational Leadership from Towson University 2020National Board Certification in Social Studies and History 2023

Experience: I teach AP Government, Economics, and U.S. History at River Hill High School.

I was named Howard County Teacher of the Year for 2024 to 2025 and selected as a Maryland State Finalist.I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Columbia Community Care, and am proud to be the organization’s founding Chairperson. Member, Howard County Democratic Central Committee 2020-2025Vice President, Anti-Racist Education Alliance, Inc. 2021-20242024 Electoral College Delegate for Kamala HarrisHoward County Commission for Women 2020-2024 (2 terms)President, Columbia Democratic Club 2022-2024Board Member, Howard County Education Association 2017-2021National Education Association Resolutions Committee 2018-2021

Questionnaire