2026 Maryland county executive elections
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8 of Maryland's 9 county executive seats | |||||||||||||
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Democratic incumbent Term-limited or retiring Democrat Republican incumbent | |||||||||||||
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The Maryland county executive elections of 2026 will be held on November 3, 2026.
Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Wicomico County will elect county executives.
Race summary
| County | County executive | Party | First elected | Last race | Status | Candidates[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | Steuart Pittman | Democratic | 2018 | 53.7% D | Term-limited | |
| Baltimore County | Kathy Klausmeier | Democratic | 2025[a] | 63.7% D | Incumbent retiring | |
| Frederick County | Jessica Fitzwater | Democratic | 2022 | 50.4% D | Incumbent's intent unknown |
|
| Harford County | Robert Cassilly | Republican | 2022 | 64.1% R | Incumbent running |
|
| Howard County | Calvin Ball III | Democratic | 2018 | 59.1% D | Term-limited |
|
| Montgomery County | Marc Elrich | Democratic | 2018 | 75.1% D | Term-limited | |
| Prince George's County | Aisha Braveboy | Democratic | 2025 (special) | 98.7% D | Incumbent's intent unknown |
|
| Wicomico County | Julie Giordano | Republican | 2022 | 51.2% R | Incumbent running |
Anne Arundel County
The incumbent county executive is Democrat Steuart Pittman, who was re-elected in 2022 with 53.7 percent of the vote.[14] He is ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits.
Democratic primary
Allison Pickard
Pete Smith
Candidates
Declared
- James Kitchin, special assistant to county executive Steuart Pittman[2]
- Allison Pickard, county councilmember from the 2nd district (2018โpresent)[3]
- Pete Smith, county councilmember from the 1st district (2012โ2013, 2014โ2018, 2022โpresent)[4]
Declined
- Gavin Buckley, mayor of Annapolis (2017โpresent)[15]
Endorsements
James Kitchin
- County officials
Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive (2018โpresent)[16]- Lisa Rodvien, county councilmember from the 6th district (2018โpresent)[17]
Allison Pickard
- U.S. representatives
- Sarah Elfreth, MD-03 (2025โpresent)[3]
- State legislators
- J. Sandy Bartlett, state delegate from the 32nd district (2019โpresent)[3]
- Pamela Beidle, state senator from the 32nd district (2019โpresent)[3]
- Mark S. Chang, state delegate from the 32nd district (2015โpresent)[3]
- Dawn Gile, state senator from the 33rd district (2023โpresent)[3]
- Dana Jones, state delegate from district 30A (2020โpresent)[3]
- Andrew Pruski, state delegate from district 33A (2023โpresent)[3]
- County officials
- Julie Hummer, county councilmember from the 4th district (2022โpresent)[3]
Pete Smith
- State legislators
- Shaneka Henson, state senator from the 30th district (2025โpresent)[18]
- County officials
- George F. Johnson IV, former Anne Arundel County sheriff (1994โ2006) and nominee for county executive in 2006[18]
Declined to endorse
- County officials
- Steuart Pittman, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party (2025โpresent) and Anne Arundel County Executive (2018โpresent) (previously endorsed Kitchin)[16]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Allison Pickard (D) | $103,750 | $29,744 | $139,918 |
| Pete Smith (D) | $131,525 | $38,449 | $192,285 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Republican primary
Candidates
Declined
- Nic Kipke, state delegate from the 31st district (2007โpresent) and former minority leader of the Maryland House of Delegates (2013โ2021) (running for state senate)[20]
Baltimore County
The incumbent county executive is Democrat Kathy Klausmeier, who was appointed county executive by the Baltimore County Council after Johnny Olszewski was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 2nd congressional district in 2024. She is not running for election to a full four-year term.[21] Olszewski was re-elected in 2022 with 63.7 percent of the vote.[22]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Nick Stewart, attorney and activist[5]
- Pat Young, county councilmember from the 1st district (2022โpresent)[6]
Publicly expressed interest
- Julian Jones, county councilmember from the 4th district (2014โpresent)[23]
- Izzy Patoka, county councilmember from the 2nd district (2018โpresent)[23]
Declined
- James Brochin, former state senator from the 42nd district (2003โ2019) and candidate for county executive in 2018[24]
- Kathy Klausmeier, incumbent county executive[21]
- Charles E. Sydnor III, state senator from the 44th district (2020โpresent) (running for re-election)[25]
Endorsements
Pat Young
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Pat Young (D) | $120,011 | $13,696 | $227,699 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Frederick County
The incumbent county executive is Democrat Jessica Fitzwater, who was elected in 2022 with 50.4 percent of the vote.[27] She is eligible to run for a second term, but has not yet said if she will do so.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Jessica Fitzwater, incumbent county executive
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jessica Fitzwater (D) | $23,805 | $12,202 | $89,470 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Michael Hough, former state senator from the 4th district (2015โ2023) and nominee for county executive in 2022[28]
- Steve McKay, county councilmember from the 2nd district (2018โpresent)[28]
- Jesse Pippy, state delegate from the 4th district (2019โpresent)[28]
Declined
- Chuck Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff (2006โpresent) (running for re-election)[1]
Harford County
The incumbent county executive is Republican Robert Cassilly, who was elected in 2022 with 64.1 percent of the vote.[29] He is running for reelection to a second term.[30]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Robert Cassilly, incumbent county executive[30]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Robert Cassilly (R) | $22,250 | $15,245 | $274,560 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Howard County
The incumbent county executive is Democrat Calvin Ball III, who was re-elected in 2022 with 59.1 percent of the vote.[31] He is ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits.
Democratic primary
Deb Jung
Candidates
Declared
- Jessica Feldmark, state delegate from district 12A (2019โpresent)[7]
- Deb Jung, county councilmember from the 4th district (2018โpresent)[8]
Announcement pending
- Liz Walsh, county councilmember from the 1st district (2018โpresent)[32]
Potential
- Vanessa Atterbeary, state delegate from the 13th district (2015โpresent)[28]
- Opel Jones, county councilmember from the 2nd district (2018โpresent)[28]
- Clarence Lam, state senator from the 12th district (2019โpresent)[28]
Declined
- Katie Fry Hester, state senator from the 9th district (2019โpresent) (running for re-election)[33]
- Christiana Rigby, county councilmember from the 3rd district (2018โpresent)[32]
- Courtney Watson, state delegate from district 9B (2019โpresent) and nominee for county executive in 2014 (running for re-election)[34]
Endorsements
Jessica Feldmark
State legislators
- Guy Guzzone, state senator from the 13th district (2015โpresent)[35]
Deb Jung
State legislators
- Elizabeth Bobo, former state delegate from district 12B (1995โ2015) and former Howard County Executive (1986โ1990)[36]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jessica Feldmark (D) | $168,591 | $30,711 | $271,897 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Montgomery County
The incumbent county executive is Democrat Marc Elrich, who was re-elected in 2022 with 75.1 percent of the vote.[37] He initially said that he would run for a third term,[38] however, Montgomery County voters approved a referendum during the 2024 elections limiting county executives to two consecutive terms, barring Elrich from running for a third term.[39]
Democratic primary
Andrew Friedson
Evan Glass
Will Jawando
Candidates
Declared
- Mithun Banerjee, real estate investor[9]
- Andrew Friedson, county councilmember from the 1st district (2018โpresent)[10]
- Evan Glass, at-large county councilmember (2018โpresent)[11]
- Celeste Iroha, medical assistant and gun safety activist[40]
- Will Jawando, at-large county councilmember (2018โpresent)[12]
Potential
- Richard Madaleno, county chief administrative officer (2020โpresent), former state senator from the 18th district (2007โ2019), and candidate for governor in 2018[40]
- Kate Stewart, president of the Montgomery County council (2024โpresent) from the 4th district (2022โpresent)[28]
Declined
- David Blair, businessman and candidate for county executive in 2018 and 2022 (endorsed Friedson)[41]
Endorsements
Andrew Friedson
- State legislators
- Brian Feldman, state senator from the 15th district (2013โpresent)[42]
- Nancy King, majority leader of the Maryland Senate (2020โpresent) from the 39th district (2007โpresent)[42]
- Marc Korman, state delegate from the 16th district (2015โpresent)[43]
- Sara Love, state senator from the 16th district (2024โpresent)[42]
- Jared Solomon, state delegate from the 18th district (2019โpresent)[43]
- Sarah Wolek, state delegate from the 16th district (2023โpresent)[43]
- Teresa Saavedra Woorman, state delegate from the 16th district (2024โpresent)[43]
- Craig Zucker, state senator from the 14th district (2016โpresent)[42]
- County officials
- Marilyn Balcombe, county councilmember from the 2nd district (2022โpresent)[43]
- Individuals
- Party officials
- Susan Turnbull, former chair of the Maryland Democratic Party (2009โ2011) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018[44]
Will Jawando
- County officials
- Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's County Executive (2025โpresent)[12]
- Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive (2018โpresent)[12]
- Kristin Mink, county councilmember from the 5th district (2022โpresent)[12]
- Laurie-Anne Sayles, at-large county councilmember (2022โpresent)[12]
- Individuals
- Candiace Dillard Bassett, television personality, singer, and actress[45]
Declined to endorse
- Statewide officials
- Wes Moore, Maryland Governor (2023โpresent)[41]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Andrew Friedson (D) | $293,194 | $25,307 | $1,053,045 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Republican primary
Candidates
Declined
- Reardon Sullivan, chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party (2025โpresent) and nominee for county executive in 2022[46]
Prince George's County
The incumbent county executive is Aisha Braveboy, who was elected in 2025 with 91.2 percent of the vote.[47] She is eligible to run for a full four-year term, but has not yet said if she will do so.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Aisha Braveboy, incumbent county executive (2025โpresent)
Declined
- Jolene Ivey, at-large county councilmember (2024โpresent) and candidate for county executive in 2025 (running for re-election)[48]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of May 16, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Aisha Braveboy (D) | $956,971 | $1,114,189 | $110,765 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Wicomico County
The incumbent county executive is Republican Julie Giordano, who was elected in 2022 with 51.2 percent of the vote.[49] She is running for a second term in office.[50]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Julie Giordano, incumbent county executive[50]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Julie Giordano (R) | $0 | $10 | $227 |
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[19] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Notes
- ^ Klausmeier took office after her predecessor, Johnny Olszewski, resigned. She is not running for election to a full term.
References
- ^ a b c d e "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election Local Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Ford, William J.; Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P. (January 15, 2025). "Hill newbies get committee posts, Kitchin cooks up candidacy, celebrity guests, more notes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kurtz, Josh (December 9, 2024). "Pickard is quick out of the gate in Anne Arundel County executive race". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Matheson, James (June 13, 2025). "Pete Smith is third Democrat vying to be Anne Arundel County Executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Miller, Hallie (April 28, 2025). "A 'pro-growth' candidate wants to shake up Baltimore County executive race". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Kobell, Rona (February 27, 2025). "Councilman Pat Young launches campaign for Baltimore County executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Hacker, Kiersten (June 10, 2025). "Howard County Executive race gets another Democratic candidate, Del. Jessica Feldmark". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Lillian (April 28, 2025). "Councilmember Deb Jung launches campaign for Howard County executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Munro, Dana (June 13, 2025). "Race to replace Elrich as Montgomery county executive already heating up". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Bixby, Ginny (June 11, 2025). "Friedson enters county executive race". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Bixby, Ginny (March 12, 2025). "Evan Glass announces run for Montgomery County executive". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Ford, William J. (May 22, 2025). "Jawando announces run for Montgomery County executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Pierce, Rachel (April 25, 2025). "Salisbury Councilwoman Running for Wicomico County Executive". WBOC-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Anne Arundel County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Hutzell, Rick (March 14, 2025). "Gavin Buckley leads his final parade as mayor of Annapolis". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
Buckley toyed with joining the Democratic field seeking to replace Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman next year. Instead, he will return to his businesses, restaurants.
- ^ a b Matheson, James (June 8, 2025). "As Pittman eyes Maryland Democratic Party chair, what does it mean for Anne Arundel?". Capital Gazette. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
Pittman endorsed [James] Kitchin, among others, but said as chair he would not favor any candidate.
- ^ Loock, Megan (January 22, 2025). "County Executive Steuart Pittman set to endorse James Kitchin at Feb. rally". The Capital. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Mann, Alex (June 13, 2025). "What to know about the 3 Democrats running for Anne Arundel County Executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System". campaignfinance.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Natalie (March 25, 2025). "Anne Arundel Sen. Bryan Simonaire not seeking reelection in 2026". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Kobell, Rona (January 7, 2025). "State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier named Baltimore County Executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Baltimore County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Conrad, Brooke (February 11, 2025). "Multiple candidates eyeing multimillion-dollar race for Baltimore County executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ Conrad, Brooke (December 17, 2024). "5 Baltimore County Executive candidates tell council why they're best pick for the job". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Lee, John (June 19, 2025). "Sydnor decides to skip Baltimore County Executive race". WYPR. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ Lee, John (February 27, 2025). "Pat Young says he wants to be the "adult in the room" as he launches Campaign for Baltimore County Executive". WYPR. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Frederick County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kurtz, Josh (January 20, 2025). "Braveboy leads Prince George's money chase, fundraising amps up in other exec races". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Harford County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Hubbard, Matt (June 3, 2025). "Cassilly files for reelection, pledging to keep Harford moving forward". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Howard County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Lillian (19 June 2025). "'Time for a new generation of leaders': Meet the early candidates for Howard County Council". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Lazarick, Len (June 11, 2025). "Del. Jessica Feldmark runs for Howard County executive". MarylandReporter.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ Hacker, Kiersten (April 28, 2025). "Deb Jung announces 'grassroots' candidacy for Howard County executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
Liz Bobo, the county and state's first female county executive, showed her support for Jung at Monday's rally.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Montgomery County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Murphy, Fran (December 8, 2023). "Elrich Says He Will Seek Third Term". Montgomery Community Media. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Bixby, Ginny (November 5, 2024). "Elrich facing final two years in office after term-limit referendum passes". MoCo360. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Bixby, Ginny (March 7, 2025). "Silver Spring resident Celeste Iroha files to run for MoCo executive". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c Cohn, Courtney (July 2, 2025). "David Blair endorses Friedson in 2026 county executive race". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Bixby, Ginny (June 19, 2025). "Political Notes: Waldstreicher to run for re-election to Maryland Senate". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Bixby, Ginny (June 23, 2025). "'Not screaming but showing': Friedson says MoCo can be 'leader for the country' concerning values". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Ford, William J. (June 23, 2025). "Friedson kicks off campaign for Montgomery County executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Bixby, Ginny (May 22, 2025). "'I promise to fix the potholes': Jawando announces run for county executive". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ Munro, Dana (October 29, 2024). "A Montgomery County ballot initiative would bar Elrich from third term". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Official 2025 Special General Election Results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ Wilkins, Tracee; Leslie, Katie; Piper, Jeff (March 26, 2025). "Jolene Ivey opens up on her health, Prince George's County executive race exit". WRC-TV. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Wicomico County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Weah, Leila (March 24, 2025). "Julie Giordano announces plans to run for 2nd Wicomico County Exec. term". WMDT. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites for Anne Arundel County executive candidates
- James Kitchin (D) for County Executive
- Allison Pickard (D) for County Executive
- Pete Smith (D) for County Executive
- Official campaign websites for Baltimore County executive candidates
- Official campaign websites for Harford County executive candidates
- Official campaign websites for Howard County executive candidates
- Official campaign websites for Montgomery County executive candidates
- Andrew Friedson (D) for County Executive
- Evan Glass (D) for County Executive
- Celeste Iroha (D) for County Executive
- Will Jawando (D) for County Executive
- Official campaign websites for Wicomico County executive candidates