2026 Maryland gubernatorial election

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2026 Maryland gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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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. The primary elections will take place on June 23, 2026. [1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Wes Moore is running for a second term. [2]

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. [3] 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. [4]

Much of the speculation as to which Republicans may challenge Moore in the 2026 election revolved around former governor Larry Hogan. [5] [6] [7] Hogan's entry would have given Republicans a high-profile candidate, potentially making the race more competitive. [8] However, he announced in an op-ed to The Baltimore Sun in January 2026 that he would not run for a third term as governor in 2026. [9] Any Republican challenger to Moore will face an uphill battle against him. [10]

Moore has maintained positive approval ratings throughout his first term, though his numbers have slowly declined throughout his first term [11] and especially since the 2025 legislative session, during which Moore and the Maryland General Assembly closed a $3.3 billion budget deficit through a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. [10] An incumbent Democratic governor has not lost re-election in Maryland since 1934, when Albert Ritchie failed to win a fifth term. [2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

  • Ralph Jaffe, perennial candidate [13]
    • Running mate: Donald Palmore, pastor [13]

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Wes Moore
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Party officials
Labor unions
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 14, 2026
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Ralph Jaffe (D)<$1,000<$1,000N/A
Wes Moore (D)$12,214,459$7,743,427$6,784,542
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections [23]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Formed exploratory committee

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

John Myrick
Organizations
Declined to endorse
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 14, 2026
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Christopher Bouchat (R)$7,957$19,113$7,186
Ed Hale (R)$14,964$12,007$2,957
John Myrick (R)$17,404$14,895$2,509
Kurt Wedekind (R)$57,078$24,575$8,903
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections [23]

Third-party and independent candidates

Candidates

Declared

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 14, 2026
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Andy Ellis (R)$11,565$7,180$4,385
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections [23]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [38] Solid DSeptember 11, 2025
Inside Elections [39] Solid DAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [40] Safe DSeptember 4, 2025
Race to the WH [41] 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
OpinionWorks [42] October 7−10, 2025928 (RV)± 3.2%45%37%14%
Gonzales Research [43] December 27, 2024 − January 4, 2025811 (RV)± 3.5%52%38%10%
Wes Moore vs. Generic Republican
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Wes
Moore (D)		Generic
Republican		OtherUndecided
Gonzales Research [44] December 21, 2025 − January 6, 2026808 (RV)± 3.5%50%28%6% [b] 16%
University of Maryland, Baltimore County [45] October 21−25, 2025757 (RV)± 3.5%49%29%12%10%
OpinionWorks [42] October 7−10, 2025928 (RV)± 3.2%47%29%–21%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ "Third-party candidate" with 6%

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Schouten, Fredreka (January 20, 2026). "Wes Moore targets Maryland's only GOP congressman with redistricting, but a powerful Democrat stands in his way". CNN . Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Wintrode, Brenda (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Marylanders favor Moore over Hogan in 2026, oppose new taxes". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 Karpovich, Todd (January 20, 2026). "Larry Hogan says he won't seek another term as Maryland governor". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Janesch, Sam (September 9, 2025). "Gov. Wes Moore formally launches bid for second term". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  11. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (January 14, 2026). "Moore lists wins, but enters fourth session with 'a lot that needs to be accomplished' still". Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Barnes, Sophia (September 9, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announces 2026 reelection campaign". WRC-TV . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 1 2 Swick, Carson (September 24, 2025). "Small-town Maryland Republicans endorse Gov. Wes Moore for another term". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  17. 1 2 McQueen, Tashi (September 10, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore officially launches 2026 re-election campaign". Baltimore Afro-American . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  18. ↑ Nicklaus, Lexi (January 13, 2026). "Maryland firefighters endorse Gov. Wes Moore for 2026 reelection". WBFF . Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ Givens, Gabrielle (October 17, 2025). "Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General Receive 76,000 Educators' Support - Maryland State Education Association". Maryland State Education Association. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ Morrison, Pia; Simon, Travis B. (November 16, 2025). "Maryland can't afford meek leadership. That's why we support Wes Moore. | GUEST COMMENTARY". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Endorsed Candidates". VoteVets. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  23. 1 2 3 "Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System". campaignfinance.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ Wood, Pamela (January 19, 2026). "Gov. Moore has $8M in the bank heading into reelection campaign". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. 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.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (September 4, 2025). "Hershey forms exploratory committee, will weigh run for governor". Maryland Matters . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  29. ↑ Frost, Mikenzie (July 31, 2025). "In Depth: Early look at 2026 race for governor in Maryland". WBFF . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ Wilson, Katharine (October 17, 2025). "Ehrlich had interest in joining Trump administration, remains mum on governor race". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  32. ↑ Janesch, Sam (September 24, 2025). "Gov. Wes Moore and his potential GOP challengers converge at crab and clam bake". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved September 24, 2025. Harris criticized Moore but said emphatically that he wasn't going to run for governor himself.
  33. ↑ Landon, Hunter (September 24, 2025). "Politics takes center stage at 48th J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield". WBOC-TV . Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Endorsements by Veterans for America First". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  35. ↑ Chingarande, Tinashe (January 21, 2026). "With Larry Hogan out of the Maryland governor's race, the GOP regroups". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  36. ↑ 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.
  37. ↑ Wood, Pamela (September 22, 2025). "Maryland's Green Party isn't in it to win it". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  40. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  42. 1 2 Sanderlin, Lee O. (October 16, 2025). "Moore outpaces Hogan in Maryland's favorite hypothetical horse race". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Taxes to erase deficits pose political problem for Moore". Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  44. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (January 13, 2026). "Poll: Moore approval numbers continue downward trend even as most voters would OK second term". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  45. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (November 5, 2025). "Poll: Nearly half of voters back Moore as field of challengers continues to develop". Maryland Matters . Retrieved November 5, 2025.
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