2026 Maryland gubernatorial election

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2026 Maryland gubernatorial election
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Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Wes Moore
Democratic



The 2026 Maryland gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Maryland. Incumbent Democratic Governor Wes Moore is running for re-election to a second term in office. [1]

Contents

Background

At the federal and state level, Maryland is a deeply blue state and one of the most reliably Democratic states in the nation, with Kamala Harris carrying it by 29 points in the 2024 presidential election. Elections in Maryland are dominated by the Baltimore metropolitan area and the D.C. suburbs. [2] Going into this election, Democrats occupy all statewide offices and hold supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, as well as all but one seat in the state's congressional delegation.

Much of the speculation as to which Republicans may challenge Moore in the 2026 election has revolved around former governor Larry Hogan. [3] [4] [5] Hogan's entry would give Republicans a high-profile candidate, potentially making the race more competitive. [6] However, he is considered unlikely to run, remarking in June 2025 that he was "enjoying retirement." [7] [8] Any Republican challenger to Moore will face an uphill battle against him. [9]

Moore has maintained positive approval ratings throughout his first term, though his numbers have dipped slightly following the 2025 legislative session. [9] An incumbent Democratic governor has not lost re-election in Maryland since 1934, when Albert Ritchie failed to win a fifth term. [1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

  • Ralph Jaffe, perennial candidate [11]
    • Running mate: Donald Palmore, pastor [11]

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Wes Moore
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Local officials
Party officials

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Wes Moore (D)$4,164,543$1,750,599$4,812,925
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections [15]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Announcement pending

Formed exploratory committee

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Third-party and independent candidates

Candidates

Declared

Potential

  • Larry Hogan, former Republican governor (2015–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 [26]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [27] Solid DSeptember 11, 2025
Inside Elections [28] Solid DAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [29] Safe DSeptember 4, 2025
Race to the WH [30] Safe DSeptember 16, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Wes Moore vs. Larry Hogan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Wes
Moore (D)		Larry
Hogan (R)		Undecided
Gonzales Research [31] December 27, 2024 − January 4, 2025811 (RV)± 3.5%52%38%10%

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cox, Erin (September 9, 2025). "Gov. Wes Moore tamps down presidential talk, launches reelection bid". The Washington Post . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  2. ↑ Barker, Jeff (December 9, 2020). "Is Maryland growing even more blue politically? Democrats are showing gains in battleground counties". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Sears, Bryan (June 27, 2024). "Hogan lays out five-point economic agenda for Senate race that echoes positions as governor". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ Wintrode, Brenda (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Marylanders favor Moore over Hogan in 2026, oppose new taxes". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  5. ↑ Janesch, Sam (February 24, 2025). "Mysterious 'No Moore' campaign launches Maryland's next gubernatorial race as Republicans, Larry Hogan battle Wes Moore". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  6. ↑ Crane, Steve; Sears, Bryan P. (May 2, 2025). "Banker, Blast owner Ed Hale preparing a 2026 challenge to Wes Moore". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ Glueck, Katie (June 7, 2025). "Five Big Midterm Questions That Could Shape Democrats' 2028 Field". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  8. ↑ Brown, Danielle J. (June 25, 2025). "Former Govs. Larry Hogan, Steve Bullock repeat call for more listening, less shouting in politics". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Janesch, Sam (September 9, 2025). "Gov. Wes Moore formally launches bid for second term". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Barnes, Sophia (September 9, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announces 2026 reelection campaign". WRC-TV . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Wood, Pamela (August 20, 2025). "Ed Hale Sr. to switch parties, run for governor as a Republican". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Demko, Keith (September 9, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore launches re-election campaign, says not running for president". The Daily Times . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  14. 1 2 McQueen, Tashi (September 10, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore officially launches 2026 re-election campaign". Baltimore Afro-American . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System". campaignfinance.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ Sears, Bryan; Ford, William (July 29, 2025). "Political notes: Hale mulls party switch, Moore gets a new gig, Shetty, Schumitz get fellowships". Maryland Matters . Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Sears, Bryan P. (May 1, 2025). "Early GOP candidate for governor taps former delegate as running mate". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  18. ↑ Wilson, Katharine (July 1, 2025). "Carroll County farmer launches bid for governor, says high taxes prompted his decision". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  19. ↑ Janesch, Sam (June 18, 2025). "Republican Del. Chris Bouchat plans run for Maryland governor in 2026". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (September 4, 2025). "Hershey forms exploratory committee, will weigh run for governor". Maryland Matters . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  21. ↑ Ahearn, Cale (August 14, 2025). "Social media post raises questions if former Gov. Larry Hogan is preparing for another run". WBFF . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  22. ↑ Frost, Mikenzie (July 31, 2025). "In Depth: Early look at 2026 race for governor in Maryland". WBFF . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  23. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (August 20, 2025). "Ed Hale switches parties, launches long-shot Republican campaign for governor". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  24. ↑ Morgan, Jeff (September 9, 2025). "Governor Moore announces reelection bid touting economic growth, crime reduction". WMAR-TV . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  25. ↑ Swick, Carson (May 15, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore gets new challenger in Green Party's Andy Ellis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  26. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (July 30, 2025). "Democratic Governors Have a Fix for the Party: Themselves". Politico . Retrieved July 30, 2025. Larry Hogan may attempt a 2026 comeback, as I'm told he's considering, perhaps as an independent.
  27. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  29. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  31. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Taxes to erase deficits pose political problem for Moore". Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
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