Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
2026 Maryland gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
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]
Remove ads
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]
Remove ads
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Filed paperwork
Withdrawn
- Ed Hale, retired banker and owner of the Baltimore Blast (running as a Republican)[10]
Fundraising
Remove ads
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Carl Brunner, firearms business owner[12]
- Running mate: Kevin Rhodes, sales executive[9]
- Ed Hale, retired banker and owner of the Baltimore Blast[10]
- John Myrick, federal executive consultant and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[13]
- Running mate: Brenda Thiam, former state delegate from district 2B (2020–2023) and candidate for Maryland's 6th congressional district in 2024[13]
- Kurt Wedekind, farmer[14]
Announcement pending
- Christopher Bouchat, state delegate from the 5th district (2023–present)[15]
Publicly expressed interest
- Larry Hogan, former governor (2015–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[16]
Potential
- Dan Cox, former state delegate from the 4th district (2019–2023), nominee for governor in 2022, and candidate for MD-06 in 2024[17]: 20:17–21:07
- Bob Ehrlich, former governor (2003–2007) and nominee for governor in 2010[18]
Third-party and independent candidates
Candidates
Declared
- Andy Ellis (Green), former co-chair of the Maryland Green Party and candidate for Maryland House of Delegates in 2018[19]
Potential
- Larry Hogan, former Republican governor (2015–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[20]
General election
Predictions
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Wes Moore vs. Larry Hogan
Remove ads
See also
Notes
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads