April 16th, 2026
Derek Howell Calls for Fiscal Restraint, Local Control, and Civic Engagement in 35B Race
In an April 13 Cecil TV interview, Republican primary candidate Derek Howell outlined his background and priorities as he runs for Maryland House of Delegates District 35B. Howell, a retired Maryland State Police trooper, attorney, and former college instructor, emphasized his experience in law enforcement and constitutional law as foundations for his candidacy.
Howell said he entered the race out of concern for the direction of state government, arguing that Maryland has become less business-friendly and that he wants to help improve the state for future generations rather than leave it.
A central theme of his campaign is reducing government spending. Howell called for evaluating whether certain programs are appropriate roles for government, suggesting that some services could be better handled by private or nonprofit organizations rather than taxpayers.
On education, Howell advocated for increased local control of school systems, arguing that counties are better positioned than Annapolis to make decisions that reflect community needs. He also emphasized the value of career and technical education alongside traditional college pathways.
Addressing energy policy, Howell supported expanding power generation capacity, including exploring nuclear and other sources, while also favoring deregulation to encourage competition and lower costs for consumers.
Howell also stressed the importance of civic engagement, expressing concern over low voter participation and encouraging greater public involvement in the democratic process. He framed this as a nonpartisan issue critical to maintaining representative government.
Describing himself as a “constitutional conservative,” Howell said he believes in interpreting the Constitution based on its original intent and using the formal amendment process for changes, rather than relying on evolving interpretations.
