Maryland › Howard County › 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.
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).
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.
2026 priorities (per the Baltimore Banner voter guide)
- 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
Source: candidate campaign site.
Campaign site →
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.
2026 priorities (per the campaign site)
- Protecting district schools
- Maintaining safe neighborhoods
- Preventing residents from being taxed out of their homes
Source: candidate campaign site.
Campaign site →
