Courtney Watson - State Delegate

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

Thank you to the Howard County AAPI Commission for hosting a wonderful celebration today!

05/30/2026

Another great day at the doors. I really appreciate our super volunteers who love door knocking as much as Handley for Howard County Council and I do. There is no substitute for hearing directly from the people.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to Mt. Hebron graduates! It was inspiring to be with your very accomplished class today at Merriweather.

05/24/2026

Great day at the doors today! Best moment was running into a woman who reminded me that I helped her family during redistricting 20 (!) years ago when on the Board of Education we created the “double whammy family” exception which allowed 7 families to remain at their existing schools rather than moving a second time back to their old school. Redistricting has always been fraught 😞. Also, if you want a yard sign, message me. Some neighbors had been waiting on a sign, and we didn’t know it - we deliver!

05/23/2026

It was an honor to participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at VFW Post 7472 in Ellicott City today. We remember our fallen heroes and their families this Memorial Day and every day. Thank you Post 7472 for all you do in our community. Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Paul Turlington

05/21/2026

A good farmers market run is one of the best parts of the week. Our Miller Branch Library (Ellicott City) Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. from May 6 through October 28 at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City. Check it out for fresh produce and local offerings while supporting the farmers and makers who help keep Howard County’s agricultural economy strong. Learn more about our Howard County farmers markets at https://howardcountyeda.org/living-here/farmers-markets/.

05/21/2026

I had a great meeting with the Cub Scouts Webelos Pack 917 at Northfield ES. We talked about elections, campaigning, democracy, the role of a state delegate, and how you decide if information is trustworthy. There were lots of questions about the Ellicott City north tunnel - such as how does the water get into the tunnel when it rains? Their questions were impressive and it made me feel that our democracy will be in good hands. Also, a shout out to the little sister in attendance with her own smart questions!

05/20/2026

The three men who were killed in the hate-fueled shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego deserved to come home from their place of worship alive. Honor them by reading and sharing their stories. Give the shooters .

Amin Abdullah was a security guard who stood up to the shooters. He was a beloved father of eight children and a smiling face at the mosque. A community member said “every time you came, he greeted you and welcomed you.” A family friend remembers Amin as “a shining light, a hero, a martyr.”

Nader Awad was a worshipper who lived across the street from the mosque. When he heard the shots, Nader bravely ran to the Islamic Center to warn people and check on his wife, who was a teacher on the grounds. A friend says he distracted the shooters and drew them away from the school, saving lives.

Mansour Kaziha was a worshipper at the mosque who worked at the Islamic Center. He helped maintain the grounds and ran the convenience store on site for more than 40 years. Mansour was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and community member lovingly nicknamed “Abu Ezz.”

No one should ever have to fear being shot because of the religion they practice. We honor the victims, survivors, and the Muslim community impacted by this horrific shooting with action. We continue our work to to ensure that no one else is forced to experience their pain.

05/19/2026

The Maryland State Board of Elections has released additional guidance regarding the recent mail-in ballot printing error affecting some voters ahead of the June 23 Gubernatorial Primary Election.

According to the Board, some voters who requested mail-in ballots before May 14th may have received the incorrect party ballot due to a vendor printing error. To protect the integrity of the election, replacement ballots will be mailed to all affected voters - roughly 400,000 statewide.

Here’s what you should know:

📬 Replacement ballot packets will clearly state “REPLACEMENT BALLOT INSIDE” on the envelope.
✅ Voters should complete and return ONLY the replacement ballot in the replacement envelope provided.
❌ The original ballot and envelopes should be destroyed and not returned.
📨 Affected voters will receive a postcard, email, or text notification from the State Board of Elections.
🗓️ Replacement ballots will begin mailing May 19th and will continue on a rolling basis through May 29th.
🗳️ Existing safeguards remain in place to ensure only one ballot per voter is counted.

For additional information, FAQs, and updates, visit:
https://vote.md.gov/2026replacementmib

Please review the guidance carefully and share with friends, family, and neighbors who vote by mail.