Howard County, Maryland

Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5

2 candidates are tracked for Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cat Carter and Ryan P. O'Connor. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Cat Carter (Democratic), Ryan P. O'Connor (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

Maryland › Howard County › Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5

Cat Carter

Democratic

Top priorities

Ensuring every child has the resources to thrive in school
Protecting green spaces and expanding health services
Investing in schools and community with current revenue rather than raising taxes

Per the Baltimore Banner voter guide.

Biography

Carter is a small cybersecurity business owner and a former teacher, per The Baltimore Banner voter guide. She serves as President of the PTA Council of Howard County and won the Democratic primary in District 5 over Felita Phillips, per The Baltimore Banner voter guide.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ryan P. O'Connor

Republican

Top priorities

Protecting district schools
Maintaining safe neighborhoods
Preventing residents from being taxed out of their homes

Per the campaign site.

Biography

O'Connor has a background in finance and works on Farmer Mac's Rural Infrastructure team, per campaign site. He is a Glenelg High School graduate raising three children in West Friendship, per campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotHoward State's Attorney

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5 in 2026?

When is the Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 5 election in Maryland?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Maryland are on the Maryland election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Howard County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Howard County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Howard County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Howard County ballot

19 tracked races in Howard County, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Howard Clerk of the Circuit Court Howard Register of Wills Howard Sheriff See all 19 Howard County races

Candidate profiles

Cat Carter, full profile Ryan P. O'Connor, full profile Official Maryland election office