Four Black Leaders Claim County Executive Seats as Moore Wins Re-election
Governor Wes Moore secured a second term while supporting candidates who will become the first African Americans to lead Baltimore and Howard counties.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Voters in four major Maryland counties elected African American candidates to the top executive offices on Tuesday, November 3. This shift places new leaders in charge of local budgets and policy in jurisdictions that serve millions of residents. The results expand the number of Black officials holding the highest elected positions in the state.
Governor Wes Moore won re-election alongside Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. Their campaign emphasized economic initiatives such as the ENOUGH Act and a state child tax credit. Moore also signed legislation banning dynamic pricing in grocery stores during his first term. The re-elected governor will return to Annapolis when the 2027 legislative session opens in January.
Julian Jones will become the first Black County Executive in Baltimore County history. Jones has represented the 4th District on the County Council for nearly 12 years. His platform focused on lowering energy costs, building new schools, and raising teacher pay. He also pledged to guarantee a job for every young person who wants one.
Vanessa Atterbeary won the race for Howard County executive. She will be the first Black woman to hold that office in the county. Atterbeary served 11 years in the House of Delegates, where she chaired the Ways and Means Committee. She resigned from the legislature in January to focus on her campaign and will succeed Calvin Ball.
Will Jawando was elected Montgomery County executive. The civil rights lawyer previously served on the County Council and led the passage of the CROWN Act. This law made Montgomery the first county in the nation to ban discrimination based on hairstyle. Jawando succeeds Marc Elrich after winning a competitive primary.
Aisha Braveboy secured her first full term as Prince George’s County executive. She took office following a special election in June 2025. Before becoming executive, she served eight years in the House of Delegates and six years as the state’s attorney. Her office is based in the county seat where she previously worked as a legislator.
The new county executives take office in early December. They will work alongside a state legislature that includes more than 60 African American members. Delegate N. Scott Phillips currently chairs the Legislative Black Caucus. U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks and re-elected Representatives Kweisi Mfume and Glenn Ivey will continue to represent Maryland in Washington.
