Friends and Neighbors,
I’m excited to run for Howard County Council in District 5 as a Democrat. My commitment is simple: After a lifetime of dedicated service, I believe in running on a platform of shared values and service - putting our community first and always.
A Campaign Powered by People, Not Special Interests
I am proud to be the first Citizens’ Election Fund (CEF) candidate running in District 5 in the 2026 election cycle. That means my campaign is powered by you – my neighbors and community. I will not accept donations from special interest groups. So you can trust that if I am elected, my only priority will be on you, your family, and our community. My campaign will center on accountability, transparency, and making sure every voice in District 5 is heard with no strings attached. It’s about honest, proven leadership guided by pragmatic, data-driven solutions shaped by your voice and our community’s needs.
My Story
I am the proud son of two, Midwestern, farm-raised public school teachers. My dad, a U.S. Navy veteran, served in the Korean War. He came home, studied under the G.I. Bill, and became a public high school math and science teacher. My mom was a primary school teacher who taught special needs children, including those on the Autism Spectrum. Both taught me the values of hard work, that your word is your bond, to treat everyone with dignity and respect, and to dedicate a lifetime of service to our country and community. Today, both of my parents live with me and, together with my wife, I am their caregiver.
I grew up in a lower-income, working-class, blue-collar neighborhood in Southeast Michigan. It’s a wonder to this day that I didn’t succumb to the violence, drugs, or the many other things that have claimed so many other lives. I was fortunate. I was somehow blessed to make it out and find a better life. And I know that many people have helped me to get to where I am today. And, now, I know that it’s my turn to help others get to where they want to go.
I am also a former federal officer. I have worked at senior levels in management, delivering complex, global-reaching projects with budgets exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars and managing teams of people. I know how to work with stakeholders and customers to make difficult decisions that deliver programs on time and within budget. With a county budget of about $2 billion, we need proven, experienced leaders who will manage our resources wisely, prioritize what matters most, and make government work for everyone.
Today, I am proud to serve as an active-duty member of the Maryland Defense Force - some of you may know us as the Maryland State Guard, the uniformed, organized state military that supports Maryland’s emergency management and disaster response efforts. I am also a volunteer with the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps. In these roles, I work alongside dedicated professionals and volunteers - from first responders to emergency specialists - to help keep our communities safe during times of crisis.
Locally, I have worked to advance the interests of veterans and public safety. I previously served on the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families, advocating for those who have served our nation, and I was honored to contribute as a member of the Howard County Police Department’s Citizens’ Advisory Council. Currently, I continue this commitment as a member of the Howard County Police Accountability Board, helping to strengthen community trust and accountability in our police and sheriff's departments.
I also support local mental health groups and those tackling food insecurity. As a member of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Howard County – and a former board member, I have delivered meals to neighbors living with mental health challenges, ensuring they remain connected and cared for. I have also worked with local organizations to distribute food at our community libraries, helping to the meet needs of families and children in Howard County.
My Platform
In Howard County – and, especially in District 5 - we’re seeing a clear shift toward left-leaning values. While anyone can technically choose their party label, what matters most is a genuine commitment to serve our community’s needs. Choosing to run for office here means embracing principles that reflect our neighbors’ priorities and working hard every day on their behalf. Here are some of the things I believe in:
Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable, Balanced Growth - Supporting Small Businesses While Preserving Green Spaces and Honoring Our Agricultural Heritage. Ensuring our roads, police, fire services, healthcare, landfill, and all public services keep pace with our community’s needs.
Building Economic Security and Workforce Stability - Supporting Businesses, Farmers, Veterans, Federal Workers, and Labor Unions;
Finally, here in District 5, we have a unique opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient community - one that grows in sustainable, practical, and responsibly ways, protects our cherished green spaces and farming heritage, invests in exceptional public schools, honors and supports our seniors, ensures public health and safety, and warmly welcomes everyone who calls this community home.
Join Me
I’m running because I believe in our community and in the power of public service. Together, we can build a future that honors our values and meets our challenges head-on.
I’m ready to serve as your District 5 County Council member on day one!
So please spread the word: talk to your friends, family, and neighbors, and invite them to join me on my journey, to work together to make District 5 an even stronger community for the next generation.
~ Steve
