Why Jean is the Right Choice

Jean believes in a Howard County where everyone can thrive. With deep knowledge gained through years of experience and a full-time commitment to this job, she will strengthen our schools, guide smart growth, keep our communities safe and inclusive, and deliver transparent, accountable government that works for you.

Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community.

For nearly 20 years, Jean has worked alongside families, educators, and students to make sure every child in Howard County has the opportunity to succeed. As a parent, community leader, and former member of the HCPSS Operating Budget Review Committee, she understands both what happens in the classroom and what it takes to fund and support it. She has testified before the County Council over multiple years to advocate for fully funding our schools.

Our schools are facing real challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, aging buildings, and growing demands on teachers and staff. We need leadership that understands these challenges and is ready to act.

Jean will:
• Fully fund our schools and invest in our educators
• Maintain ongoing, collaborative engagement with the Superintendent and Board of Education to identify and address multi year operational funding needs
• Address deferred maintenance so students can learn in safe, modern, and well maintained buildings
• Plan responsibly for growth so infrastructure keeps pace with development and avoids overcrowded schools

Growth is part of Howard County’s future, but it must be planned, coordinated, and done right.

For too long, development has outpaced infrastructure, putting pressure on our schools, roads, and public services. Families feel it in overcrowded classrooms, longer commutes, and strained community resources. We need a more balanced approach that aligns growth with what our communities can support.

For nearly 20 years, Jean has worked in our community and understands how land use decisions shape daily life. Through her service on the Board of Appeals, she has evaluated complex cases, weighed competing priorities, and made decisions grounded in facts and fairness.

Jean will:
• Ensure development is aligned with school capacity, infrastructure, and community needs
• Strengthen coordination between land use decisions and long-term capital planning
• Support redevelopment in existing activity centers and along key corridors like Route 1 and Route 40
• Promote affordability and a diversity of housing options
• Protect open spaces, parks, and forests so growth enhances, not diminishes, our natural environment

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood and respected in their community.

Public safety is about more than emergency response. It is about prevention, trust, and making sure our systems work for everyone. That means supporting our first responders, investing in mental health and youth services, and strengthening the connections that keep communities strong.

For nearly 20 years, Jean has worked with families across Howard County, helping them navigate schools and access resources. She understands that safety and inclusion go hand in hand, and that strong communities are built when people feel heard, supported, and connected.

Jean will:
• Support our police, fire, and emergency responders with the resources and staffing they need to serve our community effectively
• Invest in mental health services, youth programs, and early intervention to prevent crises before they happen
• Strengthen partnerships between government, schools, and community organizations to better serve residents
• Ensure county services are accessible and responsive to residents of all backgrounds
• Promote transparency, accountability, and trust in public safety

Government works best when it listens, responds, and earns the public’s trust.

Residents deserve to have their voices heard and to know that decisions are made openly, fairly, and in the best interest of the community. That means clear communication, transparent processes, and accountability at every level of government.

For nearly 20 years, Jean has worked to bring people into the process and make sure their voices are represented. As Chair of the Howard County Ethics Commission, she upheld the highest standards of integrity, ensured fair and consistent application of ethics rules, and reinforced public trust in government decision-making. As a certified Citizen Election Fund candidate, Jean is running a people-powered campaign accountable to residents, not special interests.

Jean believes that good governance is grounded in openness, responsiveness, and respect for every resident.

Jean will:
• Strengthen transparency in decision-making so residents understand how and why decisions are made
• Promote accountability across government to ensure policies are implemented effectively and fairly
• Improve communication and responsiveness so residents can easily access information and services
• Expand opportunities for public input and community engagement
• Deliver high-quality constituent service that helps residents navigate government and solve everyday issues

In Action

Jean’s priorities are grounded in action. Learn more about her advocacy work below.

– FY 2027 Operating Budget Testimony
– FY 2027 County Capital Budget Testimony
– FY 2027 County Executive Budget Hearing
– FY 2026 County Council Budget Hearing Testimony
– FY 2025 County Executive Budget Hearing Testimony
– Opposition to an ICE Detention Center in Elkridge
– County Council Testimony on Senior Tax Credit
– Elkridge Community Investment
– Testimony on Investing Surplus Funds in School Facility Maintenance
– Gateway Master Plan

Jean Xu – Democrat for County Council