Your simple guide to Maryland’s State Senate and House of Delegates races
Marylanders will elect all 188 members of the General Assembly in 2026:
47 State Senators and 141 Delegates across 47 districts.
These elections shape decisions on taxes, crime, education, energy mandates, transportation, and government spending. MDBayNews provides clear, factual coverage with right-of-center analysis in labeled opinion sections.
This page offers a straightforward overview of competitive races, open seats, and district-by-district updates.
Maryland State Senate (47 Districts)
Maryland House of Delegates (141 Seats)
| 1A | 1B | 1C | 2A | 2B | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7A | 7B | 8 | 9A | 9B | 10 | 11A |
| 11B | 12A | 12B | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27A | 27B | 27C | 28 | 29A | 29B | 29C |
| 30A | 30B | 31 | 32 | 33A | 33B | 33C | 34A |
| 34B | 35A | 35B | 36 | 37A | 37B | 38A | 38B |
| 38C | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42A | 42B | 42C | 43A |
| 43B | 44A | 44B | 45 | 46 | 47A | 47B |
Statewide Issues Driving the 2026 General Assembly Races
Taxes & State Budget
Maryland faces a significant budget deficit. Candidates disagree on:
- cutting spending
- raising taxes
- restructuring programs
- education funding mandates
Crime & Public Safety
A major focus in many districts:
- juvenile justice
- repeat offenders
- local policing issues
- drug and overdose response
Schools & Parental Rights
Key debates include:
- curriculum transparency
- school safety
- Blueprint/Kirwan funding
- teacher shortages
Energy & Environment
Maryland’s aggressive climate mandates affect:
- electricity rates
- gas restrictions
- local zoning
- economic competitiveness
Transportation & Infrastructure
Candidates are divided on:
- transit funding
- highway priorities
- toll management
- data center policies
Latest News
Democrats Call Him an Out-of-State ‘Plant.’ His Campaign Says He Was Born in Baltimore County.
The Maryland Democratic Party has accused GOP nominee Charles E. “Chuck” Murphy III of being a Texas carpetbagger due to his voter registration in Texas since 2012. Murphy’s campaign emphasizes his Baltimore County roots. The allegations hinge on residency records, raising questions about his actual living situation and compliance with state election laws as the…
GOP Delegate Nominee: Maryland’s Watchdogs Keep Getting Blocked by the Governments They’re Supposed to Police
Republican candidate Fitzgerald Mofor argues that Maryland inspectors general are hindered by local officials obstructing access to records. Evidence includes Howard County’s inspector still denied access after nine months and a successful court ruling for Baltimore’s inspector. Mofor proposes legislation to ensure local IGs can access necessary records to enhance accountability.
Maryland’s Reparations Commission Is Taking Shape. It’s Also a Different Commission Than Lawmakers Passed.
The Maryland Reparations Commission, authorized 17 months ago, is finally convening with five of six appointments made by Governor Wes Moore. While the commission has expanded to 28 members, including various appointees, it faces delays in filling key seats. The commission will examine the impact of slavery and discrimination in Maryland.
Three Bills to Require 9/11 Education in Maryland Schools Have Died. None Has Been Reintroduced.
As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, Maryland lacks a law mandating public schools to teach about it. Past attempts to establish a curriculum requirement have failed. Currently, the state has only a symbolic resolution, leaving instruction on the attacks inconsistent and largely dependent on local decisions.
Energy Bill Fight Turns to Who Qualifies for Maryland’s New Utility Aid Program
The Utility RELIEF Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore, adjusts Maryland’s electric bill assistance program to include low-income households ineligible for federal heating aid, including those without legal immigration status. This eligibility change has sparked a public debate among state delegates amidst rising electric rates and bipartisan support for the bill.
ICE Detainer and a Delegate Feud Add a New Chapter to the I-270 Crash Story
ICE has lodged a detainer for the driver charged in the fatal I-270 wrong-way crash, adding a new immigration-policy dispute as Maryland delegates Mark Fisher and Joe Vogel clash over the state’s restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
District 17 Preview: Kagan Seeks a Fourth Term as a Familiar Face Returns on the Republican Line
In Maryland’s District 17, Republican Helene Meister is challenging incumbent Democrat Cheryl Kagan for the state Senate seat. District 17, predominantly Democratic, sees Meister framing her campaign around affordability and energy issues. Kagan, seeking a fourth term, emphasizes her legislative experience. No Republicans are contesting the House seats, favoring Democratic incumbents.
A Sewage Closure Becomes a Campaign Ad Within the Hour in Howard County
Guilford Elementary School in Columbia closed due to sewage issues, prompting Republican candidate Fitzgerald Mofor to criticize Democratic opponents for neglecting school maintenance. Mofor cited statistics about the maintenance backlog, while acknowledging some claims need context. The debate highlights broader funding challenges for Maryland’s public schools, affecting parents directly.
Judge Strikes Down Redistricting Ballot Question, Stays Ruling Pending Supreme Court Appeal
A Maryland judge ruled the state legislature violated its own certification deadlines by placing a redistricting amendment on the November ballot, thus ordering it removed. The judge found the ballot question misleading and improperly combined two subjects. The state plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, keeping the question on the ballot temporarily.
District 9 is genuinely up for grabs, with a competitive Senate race topping the ticket
Legislative District 9 in Maryland showcases competitive races, including a Senate rematch between Democratic incumbent Katie Fry Hester and Republican Ben Hightower, as well as a tight Republican primary for House District 9A. Hester significantly outpaces Hightower in fundraising, while incumbents Wu and Ziegler thrive in financing, confronting challenger Mofor.
A real swing district, an unconventional GOP challenger, and a Senate seat with no primary drama at all
Eastern Baltimore County’s District 8 features a competitive Senate race with Democrat Carl Jackson, seeking a full term, facing Republican Yahu Blackwell. Both candidates ran unopposed in their primaries. In the House of Delegates, three Democratic incumbents retained their seats against two challengers, while a reshuffled Republican field emerged. The district’s electoral history suggests potential…
District 7’s GOP delegation heads into November unchallenged in the general — but not without a live lawsuit hanging over one member
Baltimore and Harford counties’ Senate and House seats remain dominated by Republicans with unopposed incumbents in both the Senate and House. Key issues include ongoing legal challenges involving Delegate Kathy Szeliga and her campaign treasurer, highlighting potential impacts on the upcoming elections as candidates address immigration policy and energy concerns.
District 6 is Maryland’s real swing district — and the primary results prove it
Southeast Baltimore County’s Legislative District 6 is witnessing competitive Senate and House races, a rarity in Maryland. With a Democratic registration advantage, both parties face challenges. Incumbents survived contested primaries but struggled for votes. The district remains a crucial test for potential ticket-splitting voters amid contrasting campaign focuses on crime versus education.
Carroll County’s Democrats field a full slate for the first time in years — but District 5 remains the GOP’s deepest firewall
In Maryland’s Legislative District 5, Republicans dominate with a 52% to 26% registration advantage. Incumbent Republican Sen. Justin Ready is running unopposed for reelection, while an open seat in the House draws three Democratic first-time candidates, signaling unusual enthusiasm. However, significant political changes remain unlikely this election cycle.
Frederick and Carroll’s District 4 gets an open House seat as the GOP’s longest-serving delegate steps aside
Del. Barrie Ciliberti, at 90, is retiring after over two decades in Annapolis, creating an open seat in a Republican-controlled district. Republican incumbents April Fleming Miller and Jesse T. Pippy run unopposed, while Jason Keckler seeks to fill Ciliberti’s seat. Three Democrats are contesting the election, indicating increased political engagement.
No primary losers in Frederick’s District 3 — despite what the ballot history might suggest
Frederick City’s Legislative District 3 remains a competitive political battleground with a Senate rematch and three House seats up for election. Democratic incumbents face no primary challenges, while Republican Shelley Aloi struggles financially against Senator Karen Lewis Young. The district’s dynamics hinge on fundraising and strategic candidate placements.
A late GOP swap headlines Maryland Legislative District 2
In November, key Senate and House race dynamics have shifted in Washington and Frederick counties. A Republican withdrawal reshapes Hagerstown’s District 2B race, where Brenda Thiam replaces Sean Flaherty as the GOP nominee. Meanwhile, incumbents in District 2A face no primary challenges, while Eric Van Buren emerges as a unique Democratic contender against Sen. Paul…
Former Del. Jay Jalisi Sues to Force a Do-Over Primary in District 10
Hasan M. “Jay” Jalisi is seeking to overturn Maryland’s certified primary results due to a ballot error that allegedly omitted his name in a voting precinct. Filing a lawsuit against the State Board of Elections, he claims this omission affected his fifth-place finish. However, his case lacks signature evidence from voters to support his claims,…
District 1 Is Set: Western Maryland Heads to November With One Open House Seat
Western Maryland’s Legislative District 1 is set for the November 3 elections, featuring three Republican-held House races and a state Senate contest. With a significant Republican registration advantage, Democratic candidates were mainly appointed by local committees. Key races include Mike McKay against Ashley Emerick for Senate and Dan Duggan vying against Jason Jobe for the…
A Senator, a Sidewalk Tree, and Three Days of Silence: Should Anthony Muse Resign?
A Maryland senator’s SUV collided with a parked car, raising questions about transparency as no police report has been released. Surveillance footage contradicts his claim of a minor incident, revealing a lengthy struggle to park. Calls for his resignation have emerged amid concerns of preferential treatment and a police accountability failure.
Power Over People: How Annapolis Rewrote the Rules — and What It Ignored to Do It
The Maryland General Assembly concluded a special session focused solely on a constitutional amendment allowing a Democratic-friendly congressional redistricting map. Despite urgency, pressing issues like disability funding cuts, affordability concerns, and transportation funding went unaddressed. Critics argue this prioritization underscores a legislative power shift, sidelining significant community needs.
The Senate Passed It 32-13. Republicans Are Already Talking About Court.
Maryland’s Senate passed a congressional redistricting constitutional amendment with a 32-13 vote, paving the way for a November ballot decision. The vote largely followed party lines, prompting Republicans to express intentions for legal action and campaign against the amendment, which they argue undermines voter rights against partisan gerrymandering.
Day One: The Session Convenes, the Math Gets Real, and a Democrat Breaks Ranks
The Maryland General Assembly convened a special session to discuss SB2100, a constitutional amendment for redistricting, requiring a three-fifths vote for passage. Despite Republican opposition and procedural delays, Democratic leaders aim for a vote by Tuesday. The amendment could significantly impact future congressional maps and is part of broader political dynamics nationwide.
Two Bills. One Week. Opposite Visions of Who Draws Maryland’s Maps
Maryland’s Senate Bill 2100 aims to eliminate constitutional limits on congressional district drawing, while Del. Christopher Bouchat’s LR3744 proposes transferring this power to a convention of 188 elected citizens. Both bills target the November 2026 ballot, reflecting conflicting approaches to redistricting and limiting gerrymandering, with varying legislative support.
The Amendment Written to Undo a Judge’s Ruling
Maryland lawmakers will consider a constitutional amendment during a special session aimed at countering a 2022 court ruling that deemed the state’s congressional map unconstitutional gerrymandering. The proposed bill clarifies that compactness and contiguity standards only apply to state legislative districts, potentially allowing more flexibility in drawing future congressional maps.
The GOP Says This Bill Proves Hypocrisy. The Bill Itself Tells a Messier Story.
The Maryland Republican Party criticized Democratic leadership for introducing House Bill 2101 during a redistricting-only special session, claiming it was hypocritical. The bill aims to withdraw a duplicate constitutional amendment on collective bargaining for state employees to prevent ballot confusion in the upcoming November election.
Republicans Say They Warned Leadership — Then Got Shut Out Anyway
Maryland’s legislative leaders are limiting the agenda for the upcoming special session to focus solely on congressional redistricting. Republican leaders criticized this decision, emphasizing the need to address pressing issues like rising energy costs. The unusual restriction is seen as a departure from previous practices, raising concerns about transparency and priorities.
Bates Says Maryland’s Juvenile System Is “Broken.” The Cases He’s Pointing To Show Why He’s Not Alone.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates says Maryland’s juvenile justice system is “broken,” pointing to a series of violent cases as lawmakers prepare to implement sweeping changes to how young offenders are prosecuted this fall.
Maryland Democrats Already Ran This Play — Just One Level Down the Ballot
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk assert that the upcoming special session addresses a changed legal landscape rather than political motives. Senate Republicans criticize this, citing previous partisan redistricting efforts that favored Democrats. Historical context from the 2021-22 redistricting reveals a pattern of gerrymandering in Maryland, complicating political narratives surrounding the current…
Bouchat Fires Off at Leadership as the Redistricting Session He Predicted Finally Arrives
Christopher Eric Bouchat argues that Maryland’s redistricting system is flawed and that his party, the Republicans, lack the commitment to reform it. Despite proposing various amendments, he claims these have been ignored. With a special session on redistricting scheduled, he critiques the limited scope of proposed changes and asserts the need for a citizen-led reform…
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