Howard County, Maryland

Howard County Executive

2 candidates are tracked for Howard County Executive on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Vanessa Atterbeary and Nater Kane. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Vanessa Atterbeary (Democratic), Nater Kane (Green) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Howard County Executive, 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.

This race. Every voter in Howard County votes on this seat.

Maryland › Howard County › Howard County Executive

Vanessa Atterbeary

Democratic

Top priorities

Keeping Howard County affordable for families
Supporting strong public schools
Ensuring every resident has a voice in county government

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Vanessa Atterbeary is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 13 since 2015, where she chaired the House Ways and Means Committee from 2021 until stepping down in December 2025, according to the Baltimore Banner. Before her legislative career she worked as an assistant attorney general for the District of Columbia, per the Baltimore Sun. She is the Democratic nominee for Howard County executive.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Nater Kane

Green

Top priorities

Ending political corruption by removing lobbyist and dark-money influence and publicly financing elections
Expanding access to quality healthcare and housing
Supporting workers' right to organize and strike

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kane is a candidate for Howard County Executive based in Ellicott City, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotHoward County Council, Councilmanic District 1

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Howard County Executive in 2026?

When is the Howard County Executive 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 County Council, Councilmanic District 2 Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 3 Howard County Council, Councilmanic District 4 See all 19 Howard County races

Candidate profiles

Vanessa Atterbeary, full profile Nater Kane, full profile Official Maryland election office