Vanessa Atterbeary wins Democratic primary for Howard County executive race

Vanessa Atterbeary is on track to become the first Black woman to serve as Howard County executive.

She had more votes than the three other Democratic candidates just after 10 p.m. Tuesday evening, when the Associated Press called the race for her.

No Republicans are running for the position, so she could be unopposed in November’s general election. Unaffiliated candidates have until July 6 to enter the race.

Atterbeary received key endorsements from Gov. Wes Moore and County Executive Calvin Ball, who will reach his term limit at the end of 2026. This gave the longtime lawmaker an edge over businessman Bob Cockey and council members Deb Jung and Liz Walsh.

The woman-dominated primary ballot was significant for a jurisdiction that hasn’t seen a woman run for county executive since Courtney Watson unsuccessfully took on Republican Allan Kittleman in 2014.

Atterbeary has said representation matters in Howard, where Census estimates put the population of 335,000 at about 48% white, 20% African American, 20% Asian and 8% Hispanic.

“I got a lot of messages this morning that were making me tear up,” Atterbeary said before casting her own ballot around 7:30 a.m. at Reservoir High School.

Later in the evening at an election night party backstage at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Atterbeary’s supporters cheered as she approached a podium.

Her victory party drew many members of Howard’s Democratic establishment including state Senators Clarence Lam and Guy Guzzone; Delegates Chao Wu and Gabe Moreno, former County Executive Ken Ulman, Ball and County Council members Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby.

“I didn’t know who was here,” she said before taking a moment to catch her breath.

“Everybody,” Moore shouted from stage left.

“Tonight, the people of Howard County chose hope over division, collaboration over conflict, and a future where every family has an opportunity to thrive,” Atterbeary said. “I stand before you deeply humbled, incredibly grateful and honored to be your Democratic nominee for the next Howard County executive.”

Atterbeary withstood attacks from her opponents aimed at her political fundraising. She was the only candidate who did not use public financing, which limits donations to small amounts but offers public matching funds. Her opponents went after her for donations from developers and private companies, suggesting that she would represent her donors’ interests rather than the people of Howard County.

Atterbeary focused instead on fighting back against President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Some policies and initiatives implemented during the president’s second term have put pressure on the county, which is home to an estimated 50,000 federal workers. After years of stable employment, some residents lost their jobs as the Trump administration rapidly reduced the size of the federal government.

The Department of Justice also has taken an interest in a legal battle the county is facing over its efforts to block a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility from opening in Elkridge.

The Trump administration was high on the list of importance for some Howard County voters.

“I don’t want what’s happening at that [federal] level to trickle down into our level,” said Reginald Higgs, a Columbia Democrat.

Democrats have a stronghold in Howard, where Kamala Harris nabbed 69% of the vote in 2024.

“I don’t think the current administration cares about people having jobs, their well-being, being able to afford things,” Higgs said.

National issues brought Kate Llewelyn out to vote at St. John’s Lane Elementary School in Ellicott City.

National politics are “having their strings pulled by those above it — the billionaire class — as opposed to people,” the 75-year-old Democrat said. “I want to see more of the influence go from the bottom up.”

Higgs and Llewelyn, living miles apart, hope this local election will change the direction of the next national election.

Atterbeary also campaigned on addressing residents’ concerns about housing, education, public safety and affordability.

The former delegate’s stance on education attracted young people like Allison Bonier to volunteer for her campaign. Bonier spent the day in the pouring rain in front of Wilde Lake High School in Columbia advocating for Atterbeary.

“I saw the impact that the school system had on my life and how it’s continued to do good things for me and my future,” she said. “I want other people to have that same experience.”

But that’s the same reason Sara Karachiwalla, a recent high school graduate, voted for Walsh. Karachiwalla interned for Walsh last summer.

“Something that was important to me is her dedication to our public schools,” Karachiwalla said.

Neither Bonier nor Karachiwalla was bothered by standing in the rain for a few hours.

“I do wish it was a little sunnier, but I feel like it shows a bit of dedication,” Bonier said. “We’re all out here in the rain because we care about this.”

Baltimore Banner reporter Bria Overs contributed to this story.