The 2006 race was highly competitive, with the county continuing as a new partisan battleground. The Democratic primary to replace outgoing County Exec. Janet S. Owens was won by 12-year County Sheriff George F. Johnson, IV, who defeated County Recreation & Parks Director Dennis Callahan. Johnson garnered the vast majority of the Democratic Party endorsements, including the Police Department and Fire Department Unions. On March 1, 2006, potential Democratic candidate Barbara Samorajczyk announced that she was joining Johnson's campaign for County Executive as his environmental advisor. DelegateJohn Leopold won the Republican nomination with 36% of the vote, defeating Phil Bissett, Delegate David Boschert, Tom Angelis, and Gregory V. Nourse.
John Leopold, three-term incumbent member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 31, former politician in the state of Hawaii, from Pasadena
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Baltimore County
County Executive Jim Smith won election in 2002, and Republicans sought a strong candidate to take on this moderate executive in Governor Ehrlich's home county.
Candidates
Democrats
James T. Smith, incumbent and former Circuit Court Judge
Republicans
Clarence William Bell Jr., former Maryland State Trooper
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Harford County
The complexion of this race changed when term-limited incumbent County Executive James M. Harkins announced his resignation effective July 1, 2005, in order to take a job in the Ehrlich Administration. John O'Neil, Jr., Harford County Administrator under Jim Harkins served as interim County Executive until a successor took office. David R. Craig was chosen by the County Council as Harkins' successor on July 5 and took office on July 7.
Candidates
Republicans
David R. Craig, Incumbent appointed County Executive, former Mayor of Havre de Grace, former Delegate and State Senator, from Havre de Grace. Beat Helton 51-49%. Billy Boniface council president /winner over Helton/ HC
Outgoing County Exec. James N. Robey could not run for re-election due to term limits.
Candidates
Republicans
Christopher J. Merdon, Howard County Council member representing District 1. Regional vice president for a software development company.
Democrats
Kenneth Ulman, Howard County Council member representing District 4. Attorney.
Independents
C. Stephen Wallis, Middle School Principal
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Montgomery County
This race was open after incumbent Doug Duncan stepped down, yet the Democrats expected to hold the seat due to their overwhelming numerical advantage. Former County Councilman "Ike" Leggett won the Democratic nomination with 61% of the vote in the September 12 primary.
Robert Raymond Fustero, retired grocery clerk, unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Maryland in 2002, from Silver Spring. Received about 3 percent of the vote in the primary.
County Executive Jack B. Johnson narrowly won the Democratic nomination against Rushern L. Baker, III, a vocal critic of Johnson's administration. Johnson was unopposed in the general election. The race broke the record for amount of money ever spent in a primary in the county, with both Baker and Johnson raising and spending over $1 million each.
Declared candidates
Democrats
Jack B. Johnson, incumbent and former State's Attorney
Rushern L. Baker, III, former state delegate and current executive director of the Community Teachers Institute
Republicans
no candidates filed
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Wicomico County
In 2004, Wicomico County voters approved a charter amendment establishing an elected county executive, beginning in 2006.
