Harford County voters in District A will choose Nov. 3 between a first-time Republican candidate from Joppatowne and the Democratic incumbent, with Route 40, housing costs, aging infrastructure and development at the center of the race.
Jeff Beck, a Republican, is challenging Councilwoman Nolanda Robert, a Democrat, for the District A seat on the Harford County Council.
The Harford County Sun asked both candidates to name the three biggest challenges facing the county and their top three priorities. Beck responded. Robert did not. Her positions in this article come from publicly available statements and information.
Who is running
Beck, 44, has lived in Joppatowne for about 20 years. He is a father of seven and has never held elected office. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and describes himself as a community advocate.
“I am a first-time candidate, not a politician,” Beck said. “I am a 20 year resident of Joppatowne, and this is where my roots are. I chose to run for this office because I’ve watched for too long District A get the ‘short end of the stick’, and watching from the sidelines is no longer an option for me.”
Robert has held the District A seat since Jan. 7, 2025, when she was appointed after the council removed former Councilman Dion Guthrie. She challenged Guthrie in the 2022 Democratic primary and defeated him in this year’s primary. She is now seeking a full term.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Baltimore. She worked as a family support services coordinator at the Cecil County Circuit Court from 2005 to 2023. She now owns Voice of a Child LLC, which provides counseling and related services for children and families. She also serves on the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust board and several Harford County advisory boards.
Route 40 and the economy
Beck named economic revitalization along the Route 40 corridor as one of the county’s biggest challenges. He said the corridor has a long history of government neglect.
“Shifting focus to attracting and growing businesses in Southern Harford County will not only lead to an economic boom and improved quality of life for local communities, but it will also bolster the rest of the county by increasing the tax base, growing county revenue while reducing the strain on existing residents and businesses,” Beck said.
Robert has also spoken publicly about improving commercial activity along Route 40. In June 2025, she discussed improving the Route 40 shopping center and keeping commercial spaces occupied to bring more economic activity to the area. She has supported small-business development, faster business permitting, redevelopment of existing commercial corridors and efforts to attract employers to established business areas.
Both candidates have tied the corridor’s future to bringing in business. Beck frames the issue as a matter of decades of disinvestment and a boost to the county’s tax base. Robert’s public comments focus on filling existing commercial space and reworking the permitting process.
Housing costs
Beck listed attainable and affordable housing for the local workforce as a top challenge. He pointed to the price of new construction.
“The vast majority of new homes being constructed in Harford County have half a million dollar price tags, or higher in some places,” Beck said. “This is simply not realistic for our teachers, law enforcement officers, and county workers.”
Robert has publicly supported expanding workforce housing through mixed-income developments, smart-growth policies and redevelopment of existing properties. She has named teachers, first responders, young professionals and working families as groups that need more affordable options. She supports partnerships with state and local housing organizations, and she has said she wants to connect the county’s housing needs with state resources. Her seat on the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust board, to which she was appointed in 2025, is part of that work.
Beck’s answer centers on who can afford the homes being built. Robert’s stated approach centers on the kinds of development and the outside funding that could expand supply.
Aging infrastructure
Beck said much of the county, including District A, depends on systems built for a smaller population.
“District A, and much of Harford County, relies on a severely outdated infrastructure system,” Beck said. “Our water, sewer, and stormwater management systems, our roads and sidewalks, and even many of our parks and green spaces, were created decades ago, when the population was lower, cars were smaller, and the demands on local government were less.”
Robert has publicly supported investments in water, sewer, roads and stormwater management. She has advocated coordinating infrastructure improvements with development and concentrating growth in areas that already have supporting infrastructure. She has linked those investments to sustainable development and to protecting residents’ quality of life.
Land use, zoning and the Master Plan
Beck listed land use, zoning and the county’s Master Plan, the long-range blueprint for growth, as his first priority. He said residents’ input should drive it.
“Hearing from residents and taking heed of that input is a paramount function of good government,” Beck said. “Beyond that, bringing our zoning code into the 21st Century will foster the economic growth that is needed, while protecting our green space and our agricultural heritage.”
Robert has publicly supported preserving farmland, waterways and open space. She advocates directing development toward areas with existing infrastructure rather than encouraging unrestricted expansion, and she supports redevelopment of existing properties and commercial corridors. Her stated approach emphasizes balancing development with transportation access, environmental protection and the character of established communities.
Both talk about protecting open space while allowing growth. Beck has specifically called for updating the zoning code. The information available on Robert does not include a specific proposal to rewrite the zoning code or revise the Master Plan.
Open and accountable government
Beck said he would keep open lines of communication with residents, fellow council members, the county executive’s office and county agencies. He also promised close attention to the budget.
“Responsible government includes intense budget oversight – ensuring every taxpayer dollar is well-spent, adherence to all laws, statutes, and ethics rules, and an ability to work with all stakeholders with respect and professionalism,” Beck said.
Robert has also talked about being accessible to constituents and keeping an open-door approach. She has discussed holding town halls and helping residents understand county government and how to reach their council representative.
“I want to make sure that people are aware that they do have a representative,” Robert has said.
She has also expressed support for cooperation among council members regardless of party. On spending, Robert co-sponsored Resolution 012-25, adopted May 20, 2025, which supported funding requests through amendments to the fiscal 2026 county budget.
Jobs and opportunity
Beck’s third priority is creating opportunities for residents through revitalization, infrastructure work and job training.
“Improving infrastructure will benefit our current residents while attracting new businesses, which will bring new opportunities to residents, who will have expanded access to workforce development programs to improve their skills to be able to succeed,” Beck said.
Robert has publicly supported workforce-development programs and partnerships with local colleges and training organizations. She has advocated expanding job-training opportunities, helping residents gain skills for employment, encouraging businesses to locate or expand in established commercial areas, speeding up permitting and improving infrastructure to accommodate growth. Her campaign information lists her as a board member of the Susquehanna Workforce Center, and she has connected workforce development to helping residents earn sustainable wages.
Both candidates link business growth, infrastructure and job training. Beck presents them as one package of revitalization, while Robert’s public statements tie them to permitting, partnerships with colleges and training groups, and sustainable wages.
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