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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Anne Arundel County Council District 6

DUTIES: The County Council, the elected legislative body of the county, adopts ordinances and resolutions, and has all of the County's legislative powers.SALARY: $45,402. Additional stipends for Chair and Vice Chair.TERM: Four years; limited to three full consecutive terms.HOW ELECTED: Elected by the qualified voters of the councilmanic district in which the member resides, during the same election year as members of the General Assembly.

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    Gavin Buckley
    (Dem)

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    George Gallagher
    (Rep)

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    Katie McDermott
    (Dem)

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    Dominik Prokop
    (Dem)

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    Joe Toolan
    (Dem)

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    Sean David White
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Qualifications: Why are you running for County Council and what professional background and experiences prepare you to serve in this role?

Governance: How will you balance the good of the County with the interests of specific constituencies within your district?

Land Use: What criteria will you use to evaluate new land use legislation? Will you seek input from district residents and, if so, how?

Economy: What measures will you support to increase employment opportunities and improve the standard of living of County residents?

Housing: What types of initiatives will you advance to address the County's housing shortage?

Challenges: What do you consider the greatest challenge facing Anne Arundel County and what steps will you take to address it?

Campaign Website http://gavinbuckley.org
Campaign Phone 410-507-6146
Campaign Email gavin@gavinbuckley.org
Campaign Instagram @gavin4annearundel
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 102
Annapolis, MD 21404
As Mayor of Annapolis, I worked for a more vibrant, resilient local economy, environment, and community and delivered significant, tangible results: the City Dock Resilience Project to protect downtown from flooding; saving the last parcel of Carrs Beach; a new swimming pool, parks and trails; new events, parades and festivals to support our local economy; new and stronger protections for waterways and green spaces. I’m running for District 6 to bring the same passion and results to our County.
My first priority will always be to advance the needs of constituents. My record as Mayor demonstrates my ability to do so in line with broader economic, environmental and resilience goals. That record includes major infrastructure investment in local neighborhoods, new resident services and programs, and collaboration and partnership across all levels of government so communities are empowered to create local solutions in line with broader goals - because we all do better when we ALL do better.
The County has a strong General Development Plan (Plan 2040). I’ll honor that framework while working to advance conservation, smart development, alternative transportation, and connected transit corridors. I’m meeting regularly with residents across the district throughout my campaign to hear their views and concerns on these issues and I’ll continue to do so if elected. My goal is to always be responsive to constituents and to ensure special interests do not dictate larger land use policy.
As a business leader and Mayor, I forged partnerships to deliver local economic investment, small business growth, and public infrastructure, in order to drive employment, opportunity and community vibrancy. The transformation of West St in Annapolis into the economic, arts and community hub it is today shows what can be achieved when residents, business and government work together. If elected I will also fight for our schools. Good schools bring good jobs and are vital to our economic success.
Housing solutions require us to balance smart development with community and environmental goals so our kids can enjoy and afford life here, as we have. While I was Mayor, Annapolis increased the proportion of Moderately Priced Dwelling Units in new developments, a standard the County has only recently adopted. We need to pursue these kinds of policies, along with mixed use development where appropriate, while supporting good jobs and living wages so that housing remains an achievable goal
I want our County to be a national leader in building resiliency across all areas of life. The City/County Resilience Authority, created while I was Mayor, is nationally recognized for innovation in addressing climate change impacts – a great example of what we can achieve by working together creatively. I believe we can deliver similar innovation and resiliency for our economy, neighborhoods and communities, with opportunity and access for all. That’s the vibrant future I’ll be working for.
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Campaign Phone 410-919-7857
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 71
Annapolis, MD 21404
My government and health law experiences support an understanding of public safety and public health challenges, especially in expanding mental health resources in schools and communities. I have been a civic activist for neighborhoods, including challenging private investors commercializing neighborhoods with short term rentals. I want to be a strong advocate for the needs of all District 6 neighborhoods and improve public confidence that our local government is a force of good for all.
I recognize that other County communities may have different needs than District 6 and believe we can thrive together with shared values that protect our environment, advance affordability and economic opportunities, and assure that our public safety and public health needs are prioritized. Balancing good is done with objective data-driven assessments that leave room for common sense, empathy and compassion.
I oppose State density mandates and believe decisions about our communities should be made locally, not by developers or bureaucrats in the State House. I do support moratoria measures when critical infrastructure or school capacities are exceeded. I will actively seek input from residents through the Region 6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, town halls and digital media. I support improving transparency and avoiding slick procedural moves that obstruct citizen involvement.
I support expanding partnerships with our nationally recognized Anne Arundel Community College, academic centers and the private sector to diversify economic opportunities for family-sustaining careers, growing our biotech and healthcare sectors as well as our vocational trades, and using tax credits and incentives to sustain key workforces in public safety, education and health. Managing density and mass tourism better are quality of life issues that also impact economic vitality.
Objective and precise micro-data should drive housing needs, so luxury and private investor homes are not prioritized over affordable housing. How does the expected boomer generation housing inventory count locally in forecasting need? Public and lower income housing should be a priority. I also prefer incentives for home rental assistance or ownership over trickle down development impact fee waiver strategies. I do not believe in building more just for tax revenue, that is an outdated vision.
Public trust is under assault today in unprecedented ways. We cannot tackle big challenges and thrive if our citizens do not believe government is a force of good for all. Locally, improving communication, accountability, transparency and building on a culture of excellence can improve public confidence. Updating County ethics standards and adopting an independent Inspector General function is a good start for modernizing governance and closing the say-do gap that undermines trust.

Campaign Website http://www.dominikprokop.com
Campaign Phone 410-717-5539
Campaign Email dominik@dominikprokop.com
Campaign Mailing Address P. O. Box 83
Annapolis, MD 21404
I'm running as something District 6 has never had: a working executive, not a career politician. As a 20-year Anne Arundel County resident, local business owner, and Economics graduate who has managed 500+ employees and multi-million dollar budgets, I know what real accountability looks like - not in promises, but in outcomes. I founded the RealVote app to help constituents directly shape how I vote. No interest groups. Just results. Government works for you, not the other way around.
My goal is true representation: the people of District 6 will decide how I vote through direct polling. I will work collaboratively with other Council members, regardless of party affiliation, to find solutions that benefit both our district and the entire County. I am strictly beholden to my constituents, not interest groups. By bringing common-sense executive leadership to the table, I ensure that the wellbeing of District 6 remains the priority while we build a stronger Anne Arundel together.
I've seen firsthand what happens when land use decisions are made without genuine community input - residents blindsided, property values threatened, trust broken. That stops with me. Before any new development or legislation, I will require direct input through RealVote and Town Halls. Every proposal will be evaluated through the lens of community consent, long-term sustainability, and the actual needs of the people who live here.
A strong economy must work for everyone. I will increase employment by supporting small businesses and pushing big corporations in our district to pay competitive wages - investing in our community rather than just extracting profit. Economic stability requires balancing income with costs; my top priorities are real affordable housing solutions and capping predatory energy hikes. With an executive mindset, I’ll ensure our district is a place where residents can afford to live, work, and thrive.
I will require comprehensive studies and direct community feedback before any new development is permitted. Developers must disclose target demographics and sales prices early to prevent $1.5M+ "surprises." I’ll advocate for incentives for first-time buyers and essential workers (teachers, police, firefighters). By limiting speculative and institutional purchases that artificially inflate prices, I will ensure District 6 growth serves the actual needs of our people.
Our greatest challenges - housing affordability and schools - share a common root: government that manages reactively instead of strategically. I will work to restore the prestige of teaching to attract top talent. I'll launch a pilot program in a public school to audit every dollar - ensuring funds are spent effectively and grants are fully utilized. I’ll also pilot an organic school meals program at no additional cost. Our kids deserve better; smart, executive management can deliver results.
Campaign Phone (443)295-3815
Campaign Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joetoolanforannearundel/
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 6038
Annapolis, MD 21401
I have decided to run because the needs of everyday people have often been overlooked. I have watched as federal decisions continue to affect those with marginalized backgrounds, and it is time for us to stand up. My background is working in the environmental movement, now managing millions of dollars in federal, state, and local funding in my career. I have a background advocating for all communities as the former Chair of Annapolis Pride and State of Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
It is important to work directly in the community, a pillar of my campaign is listening to people, and responding to needs, but that also means looking holistically at the county dynamics. District 6 is complex with the City of Annapolis and the surrounding county. It is the role to represent our district and work closely with all of the council members to learn what their constituents need. Together as a Council, we must collaborate for a shared vision of our collective future.
I will talk to the residents first before any new decisions are made about land use. As an environmental candidate, I recognize the importance of environmental protection, but I also recognize the need for increased housing so that all can afford local housing. These two items will be at the forefront of my decision making process. Housing and the environment do not need to work as separate priorities, and we can develop smart strategies that meet the needs and wants of our residents.
I would work to reduce red tape at the government level for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the County. Investing in the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. has proved a valuable investment for so many in the county, and I would ensure their programs continue to expand resources. I would also work on smart growth and development so local businesses and companies remain competitive locally. Finally, investing in education and vocational training to ensure innovation remains possible.
I will work to balance the varied priorities for communities; and to ensure developers must provide affordable housing, we must also balance environmental protections. This means re-development in parts of the county ready to be new hubs and focusing on transit oriented development so residents are not as reliant on cars as the only form of transportation. This also means getting creative about mixed-use land use in some areas of the county, while preserving our history and environment.
Affordability is a major challenge in our County, which is near the nation's capital but we remain less developed compared to neighboring counties. We must build more affordable housing and improve public transit with new strategies including more reliable transit frequency and hubs. I will also prioritize incentives for local childcare to lower costs for families, and focus on energy reform to expand clean energy, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and create good union jobs and affordable solutions.
Campaign Phone 443-333-6291
Campaign Email seanw9469@gmail.com
Campaign Mailing Address 43 Bay Dr
Annapolis, MD 21403-4512
I spent my life here. I've been a carpenter. I know this county. This is my home. These are my people. I know the problems. I know the strengths. I'm not a career politician. I study history, philosophy and international studies.
I'm oriented to study topics and issues. I will not vote en masse. I voted against eminent domain in our state. The rights of property owners are important. I disagree with the vote that made it illegal to sleep in your car. Some designated area for overnight parking!? The county exists for the residents. The county should have a balanced budget. County officers need personal safety and must also have respect for it's residents.
I don't like tax breaks for developers as a primary answer. I prefer tax breaks to individuals purchasing homes. District residents are my priority. I seek all input from residents. That is the most important thing. All complaints and requests to county agencies need to be forwarded to council members. We should be continually receiving request and complaints from residents. I want to see powers of interaction with county property for adjacent property owners.
Air b and bs are a business. I believe the modern era requires home owners to use there home as a source for their own business. This topic needs discussion. Homeowners need all the freedom, yet the safety of residents is paramount in single family zoning. We can't wait for insurance companies to regulate the market based on tragic accidents in residential neighborhoods!
Zoning changes for small home construction. Permitting for single family residents to finish garages and out property. Tax breaks for single family primary residents. Education and assistance for home buyers. Why are interest rates higher for people than developers? There needs to be a conversation about air b and bs. They are in essence a business not single family zoning! It should be legal to sleep in your car.
Security of residence. Most of the people I know are a couple paychecks from homelessness. Zoning regulations need modern changes for small home construction are a possible answer. Single family zoning needs permitting for in-law suites. We should be able to have extra capacity for family or others. I think extra housing could come from homeowners before permits are given to large developers.