2026 Maryland elections

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2026 Maryland elections
Flag of Maryland.svg
  2024 November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03)2028 

The 2026 Maryland elections will be held in the state of Maryland on November 3, 2026, alongside the nationwide midterm elections. Elections will be held for governor as well as all 8 of the state's U.S. House of Representatives seats, most statewide offices, eight county executives, all 141 seats in the Maryland House of Delegates, all 47 seats in the Maryland Senate, and other state and local elections. One ballot measure is scheduled to be on the ballot. Primary elections will be held on June 23, 2026. [1]

Contents

Maryland is generally considered to be one of the bluest states in the United States, consistently supporting Democrats statewide by wide margins for the past three decades. [2] [3] [4] [5] In the 2022 election cycle, Democrats expanded their supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature and flipped the governorship. [6] [7] The state has not voted for a Republican for President since 1988, when George H.W. Bush swept most of the nation. [8] Democrats have controlled both of Maryland's United States Senate seats since 1986. [9] Maryland gave Kamala Harris her third strongest margin of victory across the country in 2024, behind Vermont and the District of Columbia. [10]

United States House of Representatives

All of Maryland's 8 seats in the United States House of Representatives are up for election in 2026. United States representatives serve two year terms. [11]

Following the 2024 elections, 7 seats are held by Democrats, and one seat is held by a Republican, Andy Harris. [12] State legislators are considering redrawing the state's congressional maps for the 2026 election cycle, which would likely eliminate the only Republican leaning seat in the state, MD-01. [13] [14] [15] [16]

State executive

Governor

Incumbent Democratic governor Wes Moore was first elected in 2022 with 64.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election. [17]

Firearms business owner Carl Brunner, Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale, U.S. Senate candidate John Myrick, and farmer Kurt Wedekind are running for the Republican nomination. [18] [19] [20] [21] State delegate Christopher Bouchat is expected to announce a bid for the Republican nomination, and minority leader of the Maryland Senate Steve Hershey has formed an exploratory committee. [22] [23] There is also speculation that Larry Hogan, who served as governor prior to Moore, is also considering a run for governor. [24]

Attorney General

Incumbent Democratic attorney general Anthony Brown was first elected in 2022 with 65.0% of the vote. He is running for re-election. [25]

Comptroller

Incumbent Democratic comptroller Brooke Lierman was first elected in 2022 with 61.6% of the vote. She is running for re-election. [26]

State legislative

State Senate

All 47 seats in the Maryland Senate are up for election in 2026. State senators serve four year terms. [27]

Following the 2022 elections, Democrats expanded their supermajority in the State Senate to 34 seats, and Republicans hold 13 seats. [6] [7]

State House of Delegates

All 141 seats in the Maryland House of Delegates are up for election in 2026. State delegates serve four year terms. [27]

Following the 2022 elections, Democrats expanded their supermajority in the House of Delegates to 102 seats, and Republicans hold 39 seats. [6] [7]

County executive

County executive elections will be held in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Wicomico counties. [28]

Ballot measures

One ballot measure is scheduled to be on the November 2026 ballot in Maryland. HB0788 would allow the chair of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities to request the governor to appoint a temporary member to the commission or extend the term of a member in the event of a vacancy. [29]

References

  1. "2026 State Primary Election Dates". National Conference of State Legislatures. September 26, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  2. Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2024). "Trump gains in Maryland: A trend or an aberration?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  3. Shulman, Dylan (October 1, 2024). "Maryland has been a 'blue' state for decades, and it's getting more blue" . Southern Maryland News. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  4. Skelley, Geoffrey (March 28, 2024). "Could Larry Hogan turn a blue Senate seat red in Maryland?". ABC News. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  5. Bansil, Sapna; Archibald, Ramsey (November 6, 2024). "Trump gained ground in almost every county of reliably blue Maryland". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Kurtz, Josh (November 18, 2022). "Dems take two more Senate seats, win Frederick County exec race". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Kurtz, Josh (November 9, 2022). "Democrats retain legislative majorities, but some seats have shuffled between parties". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  8. "Maryland Presidential Election Voting History". 270toWin. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  9. "United States Senators, Maryland, historical list". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  10. Janesch, Sam (November 15, 2024). "Maryland shifted toward Donald Trump more than some other blue states, while giving Kamala Harris her second-biggest win" . The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  11. "The House Explained". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  12. Shutt, Jennifer (November 14, 2024). "Republicans clinch 218 seats in U.S. House, scoring trifecta control in Washington". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  13. Condon, Christine (August 27, 2025). "Maryland senator introduces bill to redraw congressional districts in response to Texas". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  14. Booker, Brakkton (September 27, 2025). "Wes Moore hesitates on redistricting as Democrats eye Maryland's last GOP seat". POLITICO. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  15. Wintrode, Brenda (October 3, 2025). "Maryland House speaker says 'now is the time' to take up redistricting". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  16. Pryor, Rebecca (October 3, 2025). "Maryland lawmakers weigh redistricting to counter GOP-led states' new congressional maps". FOX 45 Baltimore. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  17. Cox, Erin (September 9, 2025). "Gov. Wes Moore tamps down presidential talk, launches reelection bid" . The Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  18. Ford, William; Sears, Bryan (July 29, 2025). "Political notes: Hale mulls party switch, Moore gets a new gig, Shetty, Schumitz get fellowships". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  19. Wood, Pamela (August 20, 2025). "Businessman Ed Hale Sr. will run for governor as a Republican, switching parties". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  20. Sears, Bryan (May 1, 2025). "Early GOP candidate for governor taps former delegate as running mate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  21. Wilson, Katharine (July 1, 2025). "Carroll County farmer launches bid for governor, says high taxes prompted his decision" . The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  22. Janesch, Sam (June 18, 2025). "Republican Del. Chris Bouchat plans run for Maryland governor in 2026" . The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  23. Sears, Bryan (September 4, 2025). "Hershey forms exploratory committee, will weigh run for governor". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  24. Aheran, Cale (August 14, 2025). "Social media post raises questions if former Gov. Larry Hogan is preparing for another run". FOX 45 Baltimore. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  25. Gaskill, Hannah (May 27, 2025). "Democrats stuck in political 'wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?" . The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  26. Wood, Pamela (September 17, 2025). "Lierman launches comptroller reelection bid". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  27. 1 2 "Maryland General Assembly - Functions". Maryland Manual Online. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  28. "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election Local Candidates List". Maryland State Board of Elections. October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  29. "Legislation - HB0788". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved October 7, 2025.