Anne Arundel County Council District 1 Choose 1
DUTIES: The County Council, the elected legislative body of the county, adopts ordinances and resolutions, and has all of the County's legislative powers.BASE 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.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://KellySmithKares.com
Campaign Phone
410-934-7059
Campaign Email
info@kellysmithkares.com
Campaign Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577991268487
Campaign Instagram
@KellySmithKares
Campaign Mailing Address
PO Box 733
Severn, MD 21144
Severn, MD 21144
Qualifications: Why are you running for County Council and what professional background and experiences prepare you to serve in this role?
I am running for County Council to bring experienced, service-driven leadership to our community. As an Army veteran, retired federal intelligence analyst pursuing my PhD, I offer strong strategic and analytical skills. My decade as a Girl Scout leader and over 20 years as a Community Advocate reflect my commitment to service, collaboration, and delivering results for residents.
Governance: How will you balance the good of the County with the interests of specific constituencies within your district?
Balancing countywide priorities with district needs starts with listening and transparency. I will engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders to understand diverse perspectives, then use data and collaboration to guide decisions. My approach is to advocate for District 1 while supporting policies that promote equity, fiscal responsibility, and long-term benefits for the entire County, ensuring no community is left behind.
Land Use: What criteria will you use to evaluate new land use legislation? Will you seek input from district residents and, if so, how?
I will evaluate land use legislation based on alignment with the county’s development comprehensive plan, infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, and the needs of our communities. I will seek resident input by sharing information widely and hosting both virtual and in-person meetings, including participation from Planning and Zoning staff to answer questions and provide clarity.
Economy: What measures will you support to increase employment opportunities and improve the standard of living of County residents?
I will support workforce development programs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local businesses to create job pathways. Expanding access to education and job training, supporting small businesses, and attracting targeted industries will strengthen our economy. I support creating economic growth that directly benefits District 1 families. I also support policies that increase affordable housing, fair wages, and access to transportation and childcare to improve the overall quality of life.
Housing: What types of initiatives will you advance to address the County's housing shortage?
District 1’s limited available land space means we must focus on strategic growth rather than just expansion. I will prioritize redevelopment and adaptive reuse of underutilized properties, encourage mixed-use and transit-oriented development, and support “missing middle” housing where appropriate. Preserving existing affordable housing, preventing displacement, and investing in infrastructure will ensure we meet housing needs while protecting the character of our communities.
Challenges: What do you consider the greatest challenge facing Anne Arundel County and what steps will you take to address it?
The greatest challenge in my opinion is managing growth without losing what makes District 1 a great place to live. Rising housing costs, limited space, and strained infrastructure impact families. I will support smart redevelopment, invest in infrastructure and transit, expand workforce housing, and invest in youth through education, mentorship, and job training to ensure sustainable, equitable growth.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://SherlockforDistrict1.com
Campaign Phone
4109917117
Campaign Email
info@sherlockfordistrict1.com
Campaign Facebook
http://facebook.com/SherlockForDistrict1
Campaign Mailing Address
706 Andover Rd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
Linthicum, MD 21090
Qualifications: Why are you running for County Council and what professional background and experiences prepare you to serve in this role?
Born and raised in Anne Arundel County, I come from a family dedicated to public safety, with a father who served in the fire department. I am running to bring practical, community focused leadership. My background includes work as a teacher, soccer coach, mortgage professional, board member and school volunteer. These experiences have prepared me to collaborate, deliver results and understand housing, the local economy and everyday kitchen table issues facing our community.
Governance: How will you balance the good of the County with the interests of specific constituencies within your district?
I will balance District 1 priorities with Countywide needs by focusing on shared goals like strong schools, safe communities, and responsible growth. Good policy should serve both the County and local communities. That means listening to residents, applying policies consistently and making decisions that benefit the broader County while ensuring District 1 has a strong voice and real investment. Transparency, data, and open communication will guide fair, balanced and sustainable decisions.
Land Use: What criteria will you use to evaluate new land use legislation? Will you seek input from district residents and, if so, how?
I’ll evaluate land use based on infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, traffic, schools and community character. Resident input is essential and will be sought through town halls, surveys, and direct outreach—so decisions reflect both data and the lived experience of our communities. The goal is growth that adds real economic value, respects residents and protects taxpayers.
Economy: What measures will you support to increase employment opportunities and improve the standard of living of County residents?
I support policies that attract and retain businesses, cut unnecessary red tape and invest in workforce development. This includes expanding skilled trades pathways for young people, upskilling current workers for an AI driven economy that will affect many and strengthening partnerships with local employers to create good paying jobs and raise the standard of living.
Housing: What types of initiatives will you advance to address the County's housing shortage?
District 1 is a great place to live. We need smart, balanced housing growth that aligns with infrastructure. I support increasing supply through responsible development, streamlined approvals and a wider range of housing options. This includes promoting home ownership through first time homebuyer programs and incentives for owner occupancy, along with options like townhomes, multi-unit homes and targeted redevelopment where it fits the community. Strengthen communities, avoid overburdening!
Challenges: What do you consider the greatest challenge facing Anne Arundel County and what steps will you take to address it?
Anne Arundel County’s biggest challenge is managing growth responsibly. We need to balance housing demand, infrastructure capacity and preserving the character of our communities. I’ll focus on disciplined planning, investing in roads, schools, public safety and protecting critical assets like the Chesapeake Bay.