The Republican cousin of infamous CEO shooter Luigi Mangione, 27, has scored an election victory in Baltimore after campaigning on a promise to crack down on violent crime.
Nino Mangione, 39, narrowly beat out Democrat Shawn McIntosh in the race for Baltimore County Council District 5, on Tuesday, taking 48.72 percent of the vote against her 45.16 percent.
His campaign has put public safety firmly in the spotlight, with the Republican warning of rising murders, shootings and carjackings across the county.
The emphasis on violent crime is extraordinary given the notoriety surrounding his first cousin Luigi, who admitted to shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in December 2024.
The 27-year-old was arrested after a manhunt, and in August told a federal court 'I shot Mr Thompson.' The case sparked furore across the country, and he gained a following of die-hard fans who protest his innocence outside of his court hearings.
One of the first issues highlighted on his Republican cousin's campaign website is violent crime.
'Violent crime is increasing in Baltimore County. Every day we read or hear about another random act of violence against our citizens,' his campaign states.
'Murders, shootings, carjackings, and robberies are all at record levels and are increasing every day.'
The Republican cousin of Luigi Mangione has won a seat on the Baltimore County Council after campaigning on tackling violent crime, securing a narrow victory over his Democratic challenger
The focus on crime comes as his first cousin Luigi faces a major legal battle over the December 2024 killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan
Nino Mangione narrowly beat out Democrat Shawn McIntosh in the race for Baltimore County Council District 5, on Tuesday, taking 48.72 percent of the vote against her 45.16 percent
The Republican has made tackling crime a central part of his pitch to voters, focusing on concerns affecting residents across his district.
His lead in the election is particularly significant because he only entered the council earlier this year, having been appointed to a vacant seat by local Republicans in June.
Tuesday's contest was his first opportunity to secure the position through a public vote, rather than a party appointment.
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However, the elected Mangione is no political newcomer. He previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2019 until June 2026, when he resigned to take up his position on the county council due to an empty seat.
Meanwhile, his cousin remains embroiled in a complicated legal battle over Thompson's death.
The 50-year-old healthcare executive was shot outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024, while in New York for an investor conference.
His killing prompted a nationwide manhunt, with Mangione arrested five days later at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
The case quickly became one of the most closely followed criminal proceedings in America, attracting extraordinary attention not only because of the alleged killing but also because of the wider debate surrounding the healthcare industry.
Thompson, 50,(not pictured) was shot dead outside a hotel in New York while in the city for an investor conference. The then 26-year-old was arrested in Pennsylvania five days later and subsequently charged in connection with the killing
Mangione's arrest prompted an unusual public reaction, with some commentators focusing on widespread frustration with insurance companies and the cost of medical care, while others condemned the apparent celebration of a killing.
In August 2026, he pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges relating to Thompson's death, admitting in court that he had shot the executive.
However, a separate New York state murder prosecution remains contested.
His legal team have since asked a state court to dismiss the case just days ago, arguing that continuing the prosecution following his federal guilty pleas would violate the constitutional protection against double jeopardy.
The argument has added another significant complication to an already lengthy legal battle, with the court yet to resolve the challenge.
For the victorious Republican, the election campaign has been focused on the concerns of his own constituents, particularly the safety of their neighborhoods and the levels of crime in Baltimore County.
His victory marks a notable political achievement for a Republican seeking to establish himself in local government.
For now, the staunch Republican has gained a council mandate of his own, while his infamous cousin continues to face the consequences of a case that has captivated the country.
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