Anne Arundel County is at a turning point. With County Executive Steuart Pittman term-limited and preparing to leave office in 2026, residents face a defining choice. Do we continue down the same path of bloated government, high taxes, small business closures, and declining public safety? Or do we return to a model that respects taxpayers, supports entrepreneurs, and puts families first? The answer should be clear: It is time to elect a Republican County Executive and bring sanity back to Anne Arundel County government.
Steuart Pittman campaigned as a pragmatic progressive but governed as an ideologue. During his two terms, Pittman presided over an administration marked by rising taxes, mismanaged priorities, and policies that weakened the backbone of the county: its small businesses and middle-class families. As if that wasn’t enough, the leading Democratic contenders to succeed him—James Kitchin, Pittman’s own special assistant, and Councilmember Allison Pickard—are cut from the same cloth. Both offer little more than a promise to extend Pittman’s legacy of high costs and low results.
Let’s start with the economic toll. Pittman raised property taxes in his very first budget, citing the need to “invest” in the county’s future. What he delivered instead was an expanded bureaucracy with little to show in terms of improved services. As families struggled with rising inflation and pandemic-related uncertainty, the Pittman administration doubled down on fees, regulations, and mandates.
But nowhere was the damage more severe than in the restaurant and hospitality industry during the COVID-19 crisis. While other jurisdictions found ways to support struggling businesses while maintaining public safety, Pittman’s administration veered into draconian territory. His open-close-reopen policies, ever-shifting rules on indoor and outdoor dining, and selective enforcement left many local restaurant owners unable to keep up. Even after vaccines were widely available and the science supported reopening, Pittman clung to lockdown-era regulations, causing irreparable harm.
Several prominent restaurant owners in Annapolis and Severna Park shuttered their businesses for good or relocated to counties with more balanced leadership. It wasn’t just the virus that drove them out; it was Pittman’s arrogance. His administration treated small business owners not as community partners but as problems to be managed. Anne Arundel didn’t just lose restaurants; we lost jobs, tax revenue, and part of the unique cultural identity that makes this county special.
And while the Pittman administration failed small businesses, it also failed to keep families safe. Crime in several parts of the county, particularly northern areas like Glen Burnie and Brooklyn Park, has spiked. Carjackings, theft, and assaults are up, while the morale in our police department is down. Despite this, Pittman and his allies spent more time focused on social justice rhetoric than on equipping law enforcement with the resources they need.
Education has also faltered. While the County Executive doesn’t directly manage schools, his budget priorities influence education policy. Pittman’s spending sprees failed to translate into improved outcomes for students. Test scores have stagnated, teacher retention remains a challenge, and parents are increasingly frustrated with a lack of accountability in the school system.
Enter the Republican Party. This is not just a partisan pitch—it’s a reality-based plea for change. The Republican bench in Anne Arundel County is strong, and we have several leaders who could step into the role of County Executive and begin restoring the county’s vitality on day one.
Jessica Haire is an experienced attorney and former County Councilmember who ran for County Executive in 2022. Her campaign was focused on fiscal sanity, economic growth, and supporting first responders. With a clear understanding of the county’s structural challenges, Haire is well-positioned to offer a steady hand and practical governance.
Steve Schuh, who served as County Executive from 2014 to 2018, left behind a legacy of business-friendly policies, infrastructure investments, and a focus on public safety. His return would bring institutional knowledge and a proven track record of results.
Susanna Kipke, a community leader and strong conservative voice, has built a reputation for standing up for parents, small businesses, and law enforcement. Her presence in the race would energize grassroots supporters and bring a clear contrast to the Democratic establishment.
Nathan Volke, a current County Councilmember, has distinguished himself through his work on budgets and government accountability. Volke has consistently advocated for policies that support growth without sacrificing core services, making him a compelling candidate with real experience.
Brian Chisholm, a state delegate, is another strong contender. Chisholm has been a vocal critic of pandemic-era overreach and a staunch advocate for fiscal restraint. His background in finance and his legislative experience would serve the county well.
What unites these potential Republican candidates is a shared commitment to restoring balance in county governance. They believe in keeping taxes low, making Anne Arundel a place where businesses want to invest, and ensuring that government works for the people—not the other way around.
Compare that to the Democrats. James Kitchin is a direct extension of the Pittman administration, offering no new ideas and doubling down on failed strategies. Allison Pickard, while more polished, is still a product of the same political machine that created the problems we now face. Neither offers a clean break from the past. They offer a continuation of the status quo: more spending, more regulations, and more excuses.
Anne Arundel County residents are tired of excuses. They are tired of being told that they have to choose between safety and fairness, between public health and economic survival, between accountability and equity. They want leaders who can do the hard work of balancing priorities, not play ideological games.
2026 is more than just another election year. It is a chance to reset. Anne Arundel County can choose a new path—one that values competence over slogans, transparency over bureaucracy, and prosperity over politics. The Republican Party is ready to offer that path.
Let’s not squander this opportunity. Let’s not fall for promises of “progress” that only lead to higher bills, more red tape, and fewer options for working families. Let’s return to sanity. Let’s elect a Republican County Executive in 2026 and give Anne Arundel County the leadership it needs and deserves.
It’s time to rebuild. It’s time to restore. It’s time to vote Republican.
