Democrats flipped council seats in two of Baltimore County’s conservative strongholds, marking a dramatic shift toward a bluer and more diverse county government.

Shawn McIntosh ousted incumbent Nino Mangione in a north county district that stretches from Lutherville-Timonium and Cockeysville to the Pennsylvania border. Arkia Wade narrowly defeated Tim Fazenbaker in a southeastern district that includes Dundalk, Edgemere and part of Rosedale.

The results, which were certified by the county’s election board on Friday, reflected a blue wave that has rippled across the country since the Nov. 3 election, bringing stunning political changes to Baltimore County. Republicans had won every council election in north county since 1994 and in Dundalk since 2014.

Now, Democrats will go from a 4-3 majority on the council to a 7-2 supermajority on the expanded, nine-member council, giving them the votes to pass emergency legislation, approve charter amendments and advance a more liberal agenda without Republican support.

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The new council, which takes office Dec. 7, will also be the most diverse in the county’s history. Wade will join Makeda Scott as the first Black women to serve on the council. Wade is the first Muslim member, while Ruben Amaya will be the first Latino member.

McIntosh, Wade and Scott are the first trio of women elected to serve together. The current council is made up of six white men and one Black man.

Wade turns Dundalk blue

Dundalk was once a reliable base of working-class Democratic support before it turned red in 2014. President Donald Trump has visited the area twice in the last decade, most recently in October to unveil a massive submarine manufacturing facility.

By a handful of votes, Democrats have now reclaimed Dundalk. Wade, who runs a nonprofit that provides companionship to local seniors, cast herself as an alternative to Fazenbaker, a former liquor store owner and MAGA social media personality who faced accusations of threats and harassment from his own party.

Independent Donna Eve Radtke Sekora, a bar owner and former Republican, may have played a role in tilting the outcome for Wade.

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Wade is the granddaughter of renowned Turner Station physician William C. Wade, who provided care to Black families during segregation and has a street named after him in Dundalk.

McIntosh wins with public financing

Mangione, a MAGA Republican from a well-known family of developers, raised nearly five times as much money as McIntosh, receiving large donations from several family members and businesses.

McIntosh won anyway, running a publicly financed campaign that received matching taxpayer funds for small-dollar donations. Under the program’s rules, candidates must limit campaign contributions to $250 and forgo donations from businesses, political action committees and unions.

Baltimore County introduced public financing for this year’s election to encourage a more diverse pool of candidates to run and reduce the influence of large donors, who can give a maximum of $6,000. McIntosh, Scott, Amaya and Catonsville Democrat Paul Dongarra all won as publicly financed candidates.

Sines delivers a Republican win

Josh Sines helped salvage a dismal election for Baltimore County Republicans, defeating Democrat Sharonda Dillard-Huffman in an eastside district that includes Essex, Middle River and White Marsh.

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Sines and David Marks, re-elected in a neighboring district that runs from Carney to Kingsville, will be the lone Republicans on the new council. Both are seen as moderates with an interest in environmental protection and land conservation.

“I’ve spent 20 years working on local issues with people from all political backgrounds,” Sines said in a text message. “We’re not always going to agree but I believe there is a lot we can accomplish by working together.”

This story will be updated.