Nino Mangione, a cousin of leftist terrorist Luigi Mangione, who is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, has been declared the winner in a race for Baltimore County Council. Mangione’s ideology is vastly different from that of his cousin, however, as he ran on a tough-on-crime platform as a Republican.
Mangione has been declared the winner in the race for the Baltimore County Council’s 5th District, receiving 48.7 percent of the vote to Democrat Shawn McIntosh’s 45.2 percent, with independent Cory Shaffer taking about 6 percent, according to election data. The district has been described as one of the county’s most competitive or “purplest.”
The 39-year-old previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2019 until June 1, 2026. Republican leaders then appointed him to finish the term of retiring Councilmember Wade Kach, for which he ran for a full term in the most recent race.
He hosts the conservative talk radio program The Right Side on Baltimore station WCBM and has described himself as a conservative Republican.
Mangione’s campaign emphasized public safety, support for law enforcement, and tougher treatment of violent offenders. “Violent crime is increasing in Baltimore County. Every day we read or hear about another random act of violence against our citizens. Murders, shootings, carjackings, and robberies are all at record levels and are increasing every day. Nino believes that citizens have the right to feel safe in their homes and their communities. Like most Marylanders, Nino believes our judicial system has become too liberal and needs to refocus on delivering justice to victims. Violent offenders should be made to serve maximum penalties, showing repeat offenders that their actions will no longer be tolerated,” his campaign website reads.
He also positioned himself as a taxpayer advocate opposed to what his materials called “woke” policies, and received an endorsement from the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police.
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Luigi Mangione’s cousin narrowly won a local election in Maryland
Republican Nino Mangione received nearly 49% of the vote, defeating his Democratic opponent who received 45% pic.twitter.com/1iffAjWYKQ
— Interesting AF (@interesting_aIl) November 4, 2026
Nino and Luigi Mangione are among the 37 grandchildren of the late Nick Mangione Sr., a Baltimore-area real estate developer who owned country clubs, nursing homes, and radio stations and was a local business figure until his death in 2008. The family has longstanding ties to the region.
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty this past August to in federal court to interstate stalking charges related to the December 4, 2024, shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. He admitted traveling to New York with the intent to shoot and kill Thompson.
After Luigi’s arrest, Nino posted a family statement on X. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved,” he said at the time.
Nino also canceled a December fundraiser, citing “the nature of this terrible situation involving my cousin,” and has declined further comment on the case.
