The general election in Baltimore County was between incumbent Democrat James T. Smith Jr. and Republican challenger Clarence Bell, a former police officer.
The general election in Harford County was between incumbent Republican David R. Craig and Democratic challenger Ann C. Helton, a local non-profit executive.
The Howard County general election was a three-way race between Democratic candidate Ken Ulman, Republican candidate Christopher J. Merdon, and Independent candidate C. Stephen Wallis. Ulman and Merdon were both members of the Howard County Council, while Wallis was a middle school principal.
The general election in Montgomery County was a three-way race. Democratic candidate Isiah Leggett was a former Montgomery County councilman and law professor at Howard University. Republican candidate Chuck Floyd was a previous candidate for the United States House of Representatives. Independent candidate Robin Ficker was a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
In 2004, Wicomico County voters approved a charter amendment establishing an elected county executive, beginning in 2006. There were three established candidates in this inaugural election. The Democratic candidate was Richard M. Politt Jr, Fruitland, Maryland's City Manager. The nominated Republican candidate was Ronald G. Alessi Sr, a small business owner. Another Republican, Charles J. Jannace III, launched a write-in campaign.
