Nino Mangione, the Republican cousin of Luigi Mangione, has won a seat on the Baltimore County Council after campaigning on a promise to crack down on violent crime. Mangione, 39, narrowly defeated Democrat Shawn McIntosh in Tuesday's election for District 5, capturing 48.72 percent of the vote compared to McIntosh's 45.16 percent.
His campaign placed public safety at the forefront, highlighting concerns over rising murders, shootings, and carjackings in the county. "Violent crime is increasing in Baltimore County. Every day we read or hear about another random act of violence against our citizens," his campaign stated, noting that "murders, shootings, carjackings, and robberies are all at record levels and are increasing every day."
Mangione, who had been appointed to a vacant council seat earlier this year by local Republicans, was seeking to secure the position through a public vote for the first time. He is not new to politics, having previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2019 until June 2026, when he resigned to take the county council appointment.
The election comes as his first cousin, Luigi Mangione, faces a significant legal battle. Luigi Mangione admitted in federal court in August 2026 to shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in December 2024. Thompson, 50, was shot outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan while attending an investor conference. Luigi Mangione was arrested five days later in Pennsylvania.
While Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges related to Thompson's death, a separate New York state murder prosecution remains contested. His legal team recently filed a motion to dismiss the murder charges, arguing that a continued prosecution would violate constitutional protections against double jeopardy following his federal guilty pleas.
Nino Mangione's electoral victory marks a notable achievement for a Republican candidate focusing on local public safety issues in Baltimore County.