# How Howard County School Board Election Stays Nonpartisan

> Howard County school board candidates all registered Democrats but face partisan backing splits.
- Title: How Howard County School Board Election Stays Nonpartisan
- Summary: Howard County school board candidates all registered Democrats but face partisan backing splits. Howard County school board candidates are Democrats but…
- Keywords: howard county, school board, democrats, election, nonpartisan, candidates, endorsements, campaign contributions, news, local, Howard, County
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/howard-county-board-of-education-candidates-SAF3N6VRH5EOPPXQ3CLBPA354Y
- Author: Jess Nocera
- Published: 2026-10-08T14:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: howard county, school board, democrats, election, nonpartisan, candidates, endorsements, campaign contributions, news, local
## Howard County School Board Election
Howard County school board elections are legally nonpartisan with no party labels on ballots.
## 2024 Election Showed Party Divides
In November 2024, some Howard County school board candidates split along party lines with one being a former Republican state delegate and others receiving Democratic endorsements.
## Next Election Candidates
Next month, Howard County voters will select two of three school board candidates for at-large positions.
## Political Backing Split
All three candidates are registered Democrats but only two receive Democratic endorsements and financial backing.
## Mark Covington's View
Covington, a lifelong educator, says politicians have too much sway in schools and focuses on teachers and students rather than culture wars.

> politicians and politics have too much sway in the schools
## Linda Frascarella's View
Frascarella says partisan politics did not play a role in this at-large election unlike 2024.
## Lanlan Xu's View
Xu, a proud Democrat, says her work focuses on local issues like budget and staffing, not politics.

> not super politically charged
## Key takeaway

Howard County school board candidates are Democrats but receive mixed political endorsements and contributions.