Vanessa Atterbeary

Vanessa Atterbeary
Atterbeary in 2023
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 13th district
In office
January 14, 2015 – January 14, 2026
Preceded byGuy Guzzone
Succeeded byGabriel Moreno
Personal details
Born (1975-06-24) June 24, 1975
Columbia, Maryland, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Children3
EducationCollege of William and Mary (BA)
Villanova University (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website

Vanessa Elaine Atterbeary[1] (born June 24, 1975) is an American attorney and politician from the Democratic Party who was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 13 from 2015 to 2026. She is the Democratic nominee for Howard County Executive in 2026.

Born and raised in Columbia, Maryland, she graduated from the College of William and Mary and the Villanova University School of Law. She began her career as a circuit court clerk before becoming an attorney for a local law firm. She was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014, where she served as the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee from 2021 until her resignation in December 2025.

Early life and career

Atterbeary was born on June 24, 1975, in Columbia, Maryland.[2] She attended Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Clarksville Middle School, and graduated from Atholton High School.[3] She attended the College of William and Mary, where she earned a bachelor's degree in government in 1997, and the Villanova University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor three years later.[2] While in law school, she started working at a shelter and participated in a clinic to help women gain protective orders.[4] She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[3]

After graduating from law school, Atterbeary clerked for Judge David W. Young of the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Atterbeary was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2001 and the District of Columbia Bar in 2002. In 2002, Atterbeary joined the law firm Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, where she worked as general counsel for five years.[2] At the same time, she served on the Montgomery County Commission for Women, including as president.[4]

Atterbeary first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010, for the District 18 delegate seat. She came in fifth place in a field of six candidates, receiving 13 percent of the vote in the primary election.[5] In February 2014, Delegate Frank S. Turner approached her about filing to run in District 13, saying that he thought her Howard County roots would make her a more desirable candidate than she was in Montgomery County.[3] She filed to run in the district on February 25, 2014, and ran on a "Team 13" slate with incumbent Delegates Guy Guzzone, Shane Pendergrass, and Turner.[4][6] She won the Democratic primary with 27.3 percent of the vote.[7]

Maryland House of Delegates

Busch stands next to Atterbeary at the Speaker's desk in the Maryland House of Delegates
House Speaker Michael E. Busch swears Atterbeary into the Maryland House of Delegates, 2015

Atterbeary was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015.[2] She served as the vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 2018 to 2021,[8] afterwards becoming the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee until December 2025.[9][10] Atterbeary was also a member of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, the Women Legislators of Maryland, and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, and previously served as the chair of the Howard County Delegation from 2016 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2020.[2]

In October 2023, after U.S. Representative John Sarbanes announced that he would not run for reelection in 2024, Atterbeary said that she was planning to run to succeed him in Congress. She withdrew from the race in December, saying that she wanted to focus on passing gun control and education funding bills in the upcoming legislative session.[11][12]

2026 Howard County Executive campaign

In September 2025, Atterbeary announced she would not run for reelection in 2026 and would instead run for Howard County executive.[13] In December 2025, she announced that she would resign from the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2026, to focus on her campaign for county executive.[14] The Maryland Reporter and The Baltimore Sun have described Atterbeary as the frontrunner of the Democratic primary,[15][16] during which she supported funding public schools and improving public safety by working closely with police,[17] and received endorsements from U.S. senator Angela Alsobrooks, Governor Wes Moore, and outgoing county executive Calvin Ball III. She was also the only candidate in the race to choose not to use public financing through the Citizens' Election Fund, which prohibits candidates from accepting contributions from political action committees, businesses, or labor organizations. She argued using the Citizens' Election Fund would be "unfair" because she already had resources in an existing campaign account and using public financing would limit her relationship with labor groups.[18]

Atterbeary won the Democratic primary election with 54.9% of the vote on June 23, 2026.[19] She faces Green Party nominee Nater Kane in the general election.[20] If elected, Atterbeary will be the first African-American woman to serve as Howard County executive.[21]

Political positions

Education

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2016 legislative session that would put five of the seven members of the Howard County school board up for election. The bill was voted down,[22] but was reintroduced in the 2019 legislative session where it passed unanimously.[23]

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would remove school resource officers from school buildings.[24]

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would allow the Howard County Council to raise fees against developers to cover the costs of school construction. Following amendments proposed by her colleagues, she voted against advancing the bill to the House floor.[25] In 2020, she introduced a bill that would require the school board to submit a report addressing its deferred maintenance to the Howard County leaders in October. The bill failed to receive a vote.[26]

In 2020, Atterbeary introduced legislation that would prevent the Howard County school board from enrolling students at schools with capacities greater than 115 percent.[27]

Marijuana

As chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Atterbeary helped craft the state's recreational marijuana industry framework bill after voters approved Question 4 in 2022. In February 2023, she admitted that she had reservations on the legalization of recreational marijuana use, citing her tenure on the Judiciary Committee, but said she would focus on making sure the state's marijuana industry was "equitable".[28]

Gun policy

Atterbeary (center) at a Moms Demand Action rally in Annapolis, 2023

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would require background checks for private sales of long guns.[29] The bill passed and became law through a gubernatorial veto override on February 10, 2021.[30][31]

In June 2022, Atterbeary condemned the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, calling it "scary".[32] In February 2023, she participated in a Moms Demand Action rally in front of the Maryland State House to support legislation regulating how firearms could be carried and stored.[33]

Policing

In May 2020, Atterbeary was appointed to chair the Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland, where she helped craft the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021.[34][35] She opposed a proposed provision that would give jurisdictions the ability to allow independent police oversight boards to make disciplinary decisions.[36] The bill passed and became law through a gubernatorial veto override on April 10, 2021.[37][38]

In December 2021, Atterbeary said that agencies that did not comply with Anton's Law by issuing high fees or denying access to police records could have funding withheld.[39]

Social issues

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2018 legislative session that would allow judges to admit evidence of past acts in trials of defendants accused of sexual assault.[40]

Atterbeary introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would raise the minimum age for marriage from 15 to 18 years. The bill failed, but was reintroduced in 2021,[41] this time lowering the minimum age to 17 years.[42] The bill was reintroduced and finally became law on April 21, 2022.[43]

During the 2023 legislative session, Atterbeary introduced a bill that would allow spouses to uncouple based on "irreconcilable differences".[44]

Personal life

Atterbeary is married and has three children.[2] She lives in Maple Lawn, Fulton, Maryland.[4]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 18 Democratic primary election, 2010[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ana Sol Gutierrez (incumbent) 7,879 24.1
Democratic Jeff Waldstreicher (incumbent) 7,386 22.6
Democratic Al Carr (incumbent) 6,756 20.7
Democratic Dana Beyer 5,450 16.7
Democratic Vanessa Atterbeary 4,247 13.0
Democratic Michael K. Heney 932 2.9
Maryland House of Delegates District 13 Democratic primary election, 2014[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vanessa Atterbeary 7,399 27.3
Democratic Shane Pendergrass (incumbent) 7,364 27.1
Democratic Frank S. Turner (incumbent) 6,941 25.6
Democratic Nayab Siddiqui 4,204 15.5
Democratic Fred Eiland 1,225 4.5
Maryland House of Delegates District 13 election, 2014[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shane Pendergrass (incumbent) 23,167 20.8
Democratic Vanessa Atterbeary 22,626 20.4
Democratic Frank S. Turner (incumbent) 22,169 20.0
Republican Chris Yates 14,598 13.1
Republican Danny Eaton 14,434 13.0
Republican Jimmy Williams 14,031 12.6
Write-in 94 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 13 election, 2018[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vanessa Atterbeary (incumbent) 39,470 30.7
Democratic Shane Pendergrass (incumbent) 36,519 28.4
Democratic Jennifer R. Terrasa 34,921 27.1
Republican Chris Yates 17,258 13.4
Write-in 513 0.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 13 election, 2022[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vanessa Atterbeary (incumbent) 33,045 27.9
Democratic Jen Terrasa (inucmbent) 31,259 26.4
Democratic Pam Guzzone 31,128 26.2
Republican Chris Yates 11,874 10.0
Republican Padraic Walsh 10,792 9.1
Write-in 539 0.5

References

  1. ↑ "1993 Atholton High School Graduates". The Baltimore Sun. June 4, 1993. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Vanessa E. Atterbeary, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Faguy, Ana (February 12, 2020). "Howard Del. Vanessa Atterbeary finds balance as a mom, a politician, an activist". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Yeager, Amanda (March 12, 2014). "Atterbeary joins the 'Team 13' ticket". Howard County Times. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  6. ↑ Yeager, Amanda (February 26, 2014). "As filing deadline loomed, last-minute surprises in District 13". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  8. ↑ DePuyt, Bruce (July 19, 2018). "Busch Announces House Leadership Changes Ahead of 2019 Session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ Wood, Pamela (November 12, 2021). "Howard County Del. Vanessa Atterbeary gets committee chairmanship". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  10. ↑ Crane, Steve (December 30, 2025). "Peña-Melnyk unveils House leadership shake-up, expands standing committees". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  11. ↑ Wood, Pamela (October 27, 2023). "With Congressman Sarbanes retiring, who might run for the seat?". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ Sears, Bryan P.; Ford, William J. (December 9, 2023). "Political Notes: A candidate exits 3rd District race, updates in the U.S. Senate campaign". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (September 22, 2025). "Atterbeary to enter race for Howard County executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (December 11, 2025). "House shakeup continues, as Atterbeary resigns to focus on run for Howard County executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  15. ↑ Santana, April (June 5, 2026). "Howard frontrunner Atterbeary takes thousands in donations from W.R. Grace". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Lazarick, Len (June 1, 2026). "Signs, money, endorsements: Candidates for Howard County executive vie for attention". MarylandReporter.com. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  17. ↑ Reed, Lillian (October 2, 2025). "Del. Vanessa Atterbeary is running for Howard Co. executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  18. ↑ Reed, Lillian (June 4, 2026). "Fundraising takes center stage in Howard County executive race". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Dickstein, Ryan (June 24, 2026). "New faces set to enter Maryland County Executive offices". WMAR-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ Hammann, Will (July 23, 2026). "Maryland Green Party announces its general election nominees". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ Ford, William J.; Condon, Christine (June 25, 2025). "Concessions, victory laps mark the day after a 'smooth' Maryland primary contest". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  22. ↑ Philip, Lisa (February 3, 2016). "Three Howard County Delegation members vote down school board election bill". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ Nocera, Jess (January 24, 2019). "Bill to elect five Howard County school board members by council district unanimously advances". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  24. ↑ Meyer, Jacob Calvin (February 23, 2021). "Howard Board of Education adds mental health positions to budget to assist school resource officer program". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  25. ↑ Logan, Erin B. (March 5, 2019). "Why a Howard lawmaker voted against a school surcharge bill she proposed". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  26. ↑ Nocera, Jess (March 2, 2020). "As Howard schools' deferred maintenance price tag surpasses $500M, a bill to help remains up in the air". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  27. ↑ Nocera, Jess (January 8, 2020). "As Howard delegation heads to Annapolis, bills concerning education take center stage". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  28. ↑ Zorzi, William F. (February 3, 2023). "Long-awaited cannabis bill lands, sponsored in House by two skeptics". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  29. ↑ Sanchez, Olivia (February 4, 2020). "Maryland House of Delegates passes bill requiring background checks for long-gun private sales, moves to Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  30. ↑ Wood, Pamela (February 11, 2021). "Maryland to require background checks of private sales of shotguns, rifles after overriding Hogan veto". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Legislation - HB0004". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  32. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (June 23, 2022). "Supreme Court strikes New York gun law in major ruling with implications for Maryland's own concealed carry law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  33. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (February 1, 2023). "Wes Moore joins Democratic legislative leaders in calling for stricter gun policies in Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  34. ↑ Wood, Pamela (May 30, 2020). "After death of George Floyd, Maryland lawmakers forming work group on police reform, accountability". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  35. ↑ Wood, Pamela (October 8, 2020). "Maryland lawmakers recommend some policing changes, but hold off on toughest proposals". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  36. ↑ Stole, Bryn (March 11, 2021). "Maryland House of Delegates passes sweeping policing legislation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  37. ↑ Stole, Bryn (April 9, 2021). "Gov. Hogan vetoes key parts of Maryland police reform package; General Assembly begins votes to override him". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  38. ↑ Cox, Erin; Wiggins, Ovetta (April 10, 2021). "Maryland enacts landmark police overhaul, first state to repeal police bill of rights". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  39. ↑ Fenton, Justin; Price, Lilly (December 30, 2021). "Anton's Law promised to make Maryland police disciplinary records public, but in reality transparency has been slow or nonexistent". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  40. ↑ Dresser, Michael (March 15, 2018). "Maryland House panel OKs bill allowing evidence of past acts in sex assault trials". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  41. ↑ Felice, Selene San (April 12, 2019). "As minimum marriage age bill fails in Maryland, married minors speak for themselves". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  42. ↑ Price, Lilly (February 15, 2021). "Bill limiting child marriage introduced for sixth time; advocates voice support at Annapolis Moms meeting". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  43. ↑ Wiggins, Ovetta (April 21, 2022). "Maryland puts limits on child marriage with bill signed into law". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  44. ↑ Lash, Steve (January 31, 2023). "Legislators consider making Maryland a no-fault divorce state". The Daily Record. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  46. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  47. ↑ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.