County Executive Candidate Kyle Nembhard Suspends Campaign, Endorses James Kitchin

Anne Arundel County Executive candidate Kyle A. Nembhard has announced that he is suspending his campaign and endorsing fellow candidate Dr. James Kitchin ahead of the June 23 primary election. 

Mr. Nembhard, a city and regional planner who entered the race in February, said he launched his campaign out of concern for the county’s approach to growth, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. During the course of the campaign, Mr. Nembhard participated in forums, met with residents across Anne Arundel County, and evaluated the priorities of the other candidates in the race.

In announcing his decision, Mr. Nembhard said that while he believes County Councilman Pete Smith has the temperament to serve effectively as County Executive, he concluded that James Kitchin’s policies and campaign message most closely aligned with his own vision for the county.

Nembhard pointed specifically to Dr. Kitchin’s positions on responsible growth, increasing community involvement in development decisions, and eliminating private developer money from local political campaigns. He also praised James Kitchin’s experience serving as Director of Community Engagement and Constituent Services in the County Executive’s Office, as well as Dr. Kitchin’s proposal to bring traffic studies in-house and his commitment to operating independently of the development lobby.

“As Director of Community Engagement and Constituent Services, James has spent eight years inside the County Executive’s office doing the hard work of listening to our communities,” Nembhard said in a statement announcing his endorsement.

Mr. Nembhard said he plans to campaign alongside Dr. Kitchin through the primary and encouraged supporters of his campaign to back Dr. Kitchin’s bid for County Executive. To read the statement, click here. To view a list of candidates running for various offices, click here.