# Howard County Executive

**In one sentence:** The executive proposes and manages county budgets and carries out county laws; Howard County voters may vote for up to **1** candidate.[1][2]

## The candidates

### Vanessa Atterbeary (Democratic)[2]
- **Background:** Attorney, born in Columbia, and an Atholton High School graduate.[3]
- **Top stated priorities:** Her campaign names school funding, affordable housing, public safety, and protection of immigrant residents.[4]
- **Record or experience relevant to this office:** First elected to the Maryland House in 2014; her legislative record includes chairing the Ways and Means Committee and serving on the Spending Affordability Committee.[3]

### Nater Kane (Green)[2]
- **Background:** Software engineer living in Ellicott City who grew up in Howard County and attended its public schools.[5]
- **Top stated priorities:** His campaign proposes limits on rent increases, a $30 minimum wage by 2030, and changes to policing and surveillance.[6][7][8]
- **Record or experience relevant to this office:** His reported professional experience is software engineering; experience managing county budgets or departments: Not found in sources checked.[5]

## Where they differ

- **Housing approach:** Atterbeary’s campaign proposes investments supporting housing choices alongside schools and infrastructure; Kane’s campaign proposes limiting annual rent increases to inflation or 2.5%, whichever is lower.[4][6]
- **Public safety approach:** Atterbeary’s campaign emphasizes crime prevention with police, mobile crisis teams, and youth activities; Kane’s campaign calls for ending permanently stationed school police and automated enforcement.[4][7]

## If you care most about...

- **Housing costs** -> Atterbeary proposes investments helping first-time buyers, seniors, and lower-income families; Kane proposes rent limits tied to each home, including when tenants change—both are campaign proposals.[4][6]
- **Schools** -> Atterbeary’s campaign promises full school funding, smaller classes, and competitive educator pay; Kane’s campaign emphasizes removing permanently stationed police from schools.[4][7]
- **Worker pay** -> Atterbeary’s campaign calls for competitive educator salaries; Kane’s campaign sets a $30-by-2030 wage goal, with a possible $25 tier for employers providing qualifying health benefits.[4][8]

## What we could not verify

Independent cost estimates, funding plans, and the legal steps needed for these proposals: **Not found in sources checked**. Atterbeary’s position on Kane’s specific rent cap, and Kane’s detailed school-budget plan: **Not found in sources checked**. Missing information should not be read as opposition.

## Confidence

**Medium.** Official sources support the candidate list and Atterbeary’s past roles; most policy details are candidates’ own proposals, not verified outcomes.[2][3][4][6][7][8]

## Sources

1. [1] Government - Howard County - https://www.howardcountymd.gov/government
2. [2] 2026 General Election Local Candidates List, Howard County - Maryland State Board of Elections - https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/general_candidates/2026_GG_all_counties_candidatelist.html#howardcounty
3. [3] Vanessa E. Atterbeary: Member Profile - Maryland General Assembly - https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/atterbeary01
4. [4] Vanessa’s Priorities - Atterbeary campaign (candidate’s own claims) - https://www.vanessaatterbeary.org/issues
5. [5] In Howard race for executive, Kane’s candidacy means no free ride for Atterbeary - MarylandReporter.com, column - https://marylandreporter.com/2026/09/29/in-howard-race-for-executive-kanes-candidacy-means-no-free-ride-for-atterbeary/
6. [6] Affordability - Kane campaign (candidate’s own claims) - https://votenater.org/priorities/affordability/
7. [7] Community Safety - Kane campaign (candidate’s own claims) - https://votenater.org/priorities/community-safety/
8. [8] Accountability - Kane campaign (candidate’s own claims) - https://votenater.org/priorities/accountability/