Meet 1st District Council Candidate Kelly Smith

ANNE ARUNDEL CO., MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent the region on the Anne Arundel County Council to complete a questionnaire touching on a variety of key issues.

Candidate responses will be published verbatim in the run-up to the primaries on Tuesday, June 23.

Related: Who's Running For Annapolis In 2026 Primary

Questionnaire responses for Kelly Smith, who is running to represent the county's 1st District, can be found below:

Name: Kelly M. Smith

Age: 48

Hometown: Severn, MD

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.

I currently serve on the Democratic Central Committee representing District 32. This experience has given me the opportunity to support elected officials, engage directly with residents, and better understand the needs of the community I am seeking to serve.

It has also strengthened my understanding of how local government works and the importance of collaboration. If elected, I will use that experience to listen to constituents and be a responsive and community-focused member of the County Council.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

I believe that the most important issue facing residents in District 1 is managing growth in a way that also protects affordability and quality of life. How can our district grow responsibly?

We need economic growth because it brings jobs and opportunity, but residents also want responsible development that keeps up with infrastructure, traffic, schools, public safety, and housing needs. District 1 residents want to know that the growth is benefiting our community, not overwhelming it.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I differ from other candidates running against me, because I am committed to serving my community, with evidence through both my professional career and decades of public service. My record reflects a lifelong commitment to service, community involvement, and advocating for the residents of Anne Arundel County.

For more than two decades, I have actively volunteered in this community, worked with local organizations, supported youth initiatives, and served on nonprofit boards focused on improving the lives of residents.

I work collaboratively with local and state officials to provide resources to our community. My dedication has always been about helping our community succeed and ensuring families have opportunities to thrive.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?

My professional and life experience have prepared me to serve effectively on the Anne Arundel County Council.

As a proud Army veteran and retired federal intelligence analyst, I spent my career solving problems and making decisions focused on safety, accountability, and long-term planning. Those experiences taught me the importance of leadership, collaboration, and staying calm under pressure all qualities that are essential in local government.

My commitment to service did not end with my federal career. I have remained actively involved in the community because I believe the best leaders are those who consistently show up and work to make a difference long before seeking elected office.

These experiences directly support my goals on the County Council: strengthening economic development and workforce planning, supporting education, and improving public safety.

My work with youth, families, educators, and community organizations has also given me firsthand insight into the challenges residents face every day and the importance of building strong partnerships across the county.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current officeholder, and how will you improve on it?

I know that Councilman Pete Smith has worked tirelessly and championed initiatives for residents in District 1. I respect his service and dedication to the community. If elected, I would build upon that foundation by bringing my own leadership experience, community engagement, and focus on long-term planning to the role.

My goal would be to continue advocating for residents while strengthening communication and transparency, relying on multiple communication channels to ensure that all residents are kept in the loop.

I would also ensure collaboration between the county government and the community. I want to ensure residents feel heard, informed, and supported as we address important issues together.

How do you believe Anne Arundel County should address data centers?

Anne Arundel County should take a balanced approach to data centers. While they offer jobs and economic growth, especially around the BWI and Fort Meade corridor, we must also protect our environment and infrastructure.

In areas like District 1, which already experience significant growth connected to BWI Airport and Fort Meade, we have to ensure that development does not outpace our county’s ability to support it.

Do you believe there should be a data center moratorium or a temporary pause? Explain.

I believe that we review the impact study by the Department of Legislative Services that is scheduled to be completed in September 2026.

District 1 is already suffering from a sewer capacity moratorium, and it would be beneficial to have a study that would show the effects of adding water-heavy data center cooling systems to an already strained infrastructure and how we can support and improve infrastructure for the data centers.

Do you believe there should be data center regulations put in place? Explain.

Yes. Like any major development, data centers should have regulations in place. I believe the county has already introduced bills and policies to establish appropriate guardrails that balance economic growth with community and environmental impacts.

What steps would you take to offset data center impacts to residents’ standard of living, such as rising energy prices?

As a member of the council, we can work to help offset data center impacts by ensuring there are strong benefits to the community.

We can also ensure that the environmental protection costs are not shifted onto the residents. We can also advocate for safeguards that help prevent rising utility costs for homeowners and small businesses.

How would you distinguish between a good vs. bad data center? Or do you believe no data centers should be in the county/district?

For me, a good data center will bring jobs and tax revenue to our county, while being built responsibly with limited impacts on nearby communities. It will also use energy efficiently and work with the community before construction begins.

A bad data center is one that will increase costs for our residents and strain resources like electricity and water, and creates noise or traffic problems for our community.

Gov. Wes Moore signed bills banning agreements between local police and federal immigration officials in February. What is your opinion of the legislation?

I agree with Governor Wes Moore’s decision. Local law enforcement should focus on building trust and keeping our communities safe, and many residents are more likely to report crimes or cooperate with police when they do not fear immigration enforcement.

I believe these policies will allow federal immigration matters to remain the responsibility of federal agencies.

What steps would you take to support or readjust that initiative?

As a member of the council, I would support that initiative by promoting policies that strengthen trust between residents and local government, ensuring that our county resources are focused on public safety and community services rather than federal immigration enforcement.

What is your stance on the establishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the county and/or your district?

I do not agree with the establishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in District 1.

What actionable plans would you undertake to address illegal immigration?

I would focus on policies that help keep families safe and build trust between residents and local government. That means making sure county employees are focused on serving the community, not acting as federal immigration agents.

I would partner with nonprofits and community organizations that provide legal guidance, family support, and emergency assistance to people in need.

Education: What is the biggest issue facing Anne Arundel County Public Schools? How would you address it?

I believe the biggest issue facing Anne Arundel County Public Schools is a budgeting crisis with cascading effects throughout the system. Budget constraints create a trickle-down impact that touches every aspect of education. The costs for staffing, transportation, special education services, and building maintenance continue to rise faster than available funding, forcing difficult tradeoffs each budget cycle.

In growing areas, especially in District 1, community growth leads to overcrowded schools and larger class sizes. This funding gap means we cannot adequately compensate teachers, cannot maintain aging facilities, cannot provide sufficient support services for students with special needs, and cannot keep pace with enrollment growth.

A student brings a gun/weapon to school, which is not fitted with any metal detectors. What security measures would you advocate for to ensure student and staff safety?

Student and staff safety must always be the highest priority in our schools. When serious threats like weapons in schools occur, we have to focus on prevention and response. Schools should all have trained resource officers or some type of school security staff not relying on our educators to serve as security.

All schools should be fitted with modern safety technology such as door alarms and emergency communication systems. We should also focus on prevention, especially mental health support and early intervention programs, so concerns are identified before they escalate.

Do you believe schools need stricter security measures? Metal detectors?

I do believe schools need stronger security in our schools, but I’m not convinced that metal detectors alone are the solution.

Anne Arundel County is experiencing a housing shortage. What steps would you take to address the crisis?

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.

What will you do to encourage affordable/public housing?

I am committed to working with the county to create solutions to make the approval process faster for projects that include workforce and affordable housing. The developers are facing long delays and costly review processes, which slows down construction and increases housing prices.

We have to create a faster and more efficient approval process, which will lower costs and encourage more housing to be built. I will also support incentives for developers who include affordable housing units in their projects so more families can find homes they can afford.

How will you address crime in the county/your district?

In order to address crime we have to ensure that we support those who work in public safety. One of my priorities is to ensure safe staffing levels for our police, fire, and emergency services personnel while also investing in mental health initiatives that support both residents and first responders. Public safety is at its best when our departments have the staffing, training, and resources necessary to respond effectively and build trust within the community.

I also believe expanding mental health resources, crisis intervention programs, and community-based partnerships can help connect residents with services before situations escalate into emergencies.