Del. Jessica Feldmark made official Wednesday what was well-known in Democratic circles for months: She’s running for Howard County executive next year to succeed Calvin Ball who is term limited.
A crowd of more than 150 people filled the North Pavilion at Blandair Park in Columbia, a major recreation complex Feldmark played a role in implementing as chief of staff to Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and as administrator of the Howard County Council for eight years after that.
Feldmark’s announcement was attended by five of her fellow Howard County delegates and two of its three state senators. Sen. Guy Guzzone, one of the most powerful members of the Maryland General Assembly as chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, introduced her. Guzzone has played a major role in the county’s Democratic politics and is the county’s longest serving elected official.
“This is my 27th year in elected office,” Guzzone told the crowd. “I’ve seen a lot of great people over the years, a lot of great people who do a lot of great things and there are a lot of elected officials here that are super people. But Jessica stands above them because of a level of commitment and competency and heart.”
“Great things can be done in the state and the county, and man, I am grateful to know Jess, and I am grateful to work with Jess, and I look forward to working with her a very, very long time.”
The 50-year-old Goucher College graduate spent some time introducing herself.
Her mother was a school nurse, and her father was a hydrologist for the National Weather Service “and they were both activists too,” she said. “They taught me the value of service, the power of organizing, and the importance of social justice. These weren’t just abstract concepts in my home.”
She talked about playing the piano as she sat with her grandfather “and he would sing along to old union songs from a song book we had” and he would explain the lyrics. “Songs about workers’ rights, about fighting for better conditions, about joining together to make sacrifices for the greater good. These weren’t just songs, they were his history and a soundtrack for progress.
“Those lessons he taught me would shape the path I’ve taken in life,” she said. This included service in AmeriCorps after college.
“Howard County is reaching a critical point. We can’t take for granted that Howard County is great place to live. We have to work very intentionally to keep it a great place to live and make it an even better place with the chaos and cruelty coming out of Washington.”
Feldmark offered a long to-do list for the next executive: adequately funding schools, tackling the housing affordability crisis, protecting the environment, growing the economy, maintaining infrastructure, making sure that people are safe and feel safe.
In next June’s Democratic primary for county executive, Feldmark will face County Council member Deb Jung of West Columbia. Democratic Council member Liz Walsh of Ellicott City is also expected to enter the race.
Of the two dozen elected officials in Howard County, only one is a Republican, County Council member David Youngmann, who has said he will not seek reelection. No Republicans have announced for county executive.
Advance stories about Feldmark in the Sun and Banner:
Howard County Executive race gets another Democratic candidate, Del. Jessica Feldmark
You can also find The Baltimore Banner article about Feldmark by clicking here.
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