Howard County County’s District 4 sits at the heart of Columbia, and includes the villages of Wilde Lake, Harper’s Choice, Hickory Ridge, Town Center, River Hill, and parts of Clarksville, Highland, Fulton, Scaggsville, and North Laurel.

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Janssen is a proud District 4 resident – a public servant, lawyer and father who is raising his family in Hickory Ridge, and who has devoted his life to building communities. At a critical time in District 4, Columbia and Howard County, Janssen has unmatched experience in local government, and from day one will promote the right priorities as a member of the Howard County Council so that we can fulfill our potential.

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Janssen currently serves as a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in Anne Arundel County, where he works on the most important issues that touch people’s lives: growing our economy and making sure we have enough housing – and the right kind of housing – for everyone in our community. ​Previously, he served as the inaugural Executive Director with the Anne Arundel County Office of Police Accountability and worked in the Howard County Administration for both County Executives Calvin Ball and Allan Kittleman. During his time in both administrations he fought for progress. He also worked for over five years as an attorney in both Howard and Prince George's County's Offices of Law.

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Over the years, Janssen’s work has touched nearly every area of county government—from labor negotiations that respect our workforce to strengthening public safety systems that protect us all. He has made sure county government spends our tax dollars on purchases in the most equitable way and always advances human rights and equity initiatives. 

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A lawyer by training, Janssen tirelessly devotes his time to community service and advocacy. Among his positions: 

• Vice-Chair of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

• President of the Board for the Howard County Conservancy

• Howard County NAACP, board member

• Columbia Community Care, board member

• Howard Progressive Project, former board member

• Hickory Ridge Village Board, former member

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In addition, Janssen is active in the community as a youth basketball coach, a former coach with Girls on the Run, and a dedicated volunteer within the Howard County Public School System.

 

Born in Barbados, Janssen emigrated with his family to Maryland as a child, and attended St. Mary’s College and Washington and Lee School of Law.

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Janssen and his wife, Sonya, live in Columbia with their two daughters, who currently attend public school in Howard County.

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