Maryland State Del. Vanessa Atterbeary is running for Howard County executive in 2026, making for an increasingly crowded primary race for Democrats in June.

After nearly 11 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, Del. Vanessa Atterbeary will leave Annapolis to run for Howard County executive.

The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee said she will forgo a run for reelection — and a potential shot at speaker of the House — to make a bid for Howard County executive in 2026.