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Stories about Maryland

Maryland voters to decide on state constitutional right to abortion in 2024

By Victoria Antram
In 2024 elections, Ballot measures
March 30, 2023 at 8:06 PM

The Maryland State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to voters that would add a new article to the Declaration of Rights in the state constitution establishing a right to reproductive freedom, defined to include “the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy.”

The amendment was introduced as Senate Bill 798 on Feb. 6, 2023. On March 14, the state Senate passed SB 798 in a vote of 32-15. On March 30, the state House passed SB 798 in a vote of 98-38. 

Currently, abortion is legal in Maryland until viability. Abortion is legal after viability if the woman’s life or health is endangered or there is a fetal anomaly.

Pro-Choice Maryland, Common Cause Maryland, the Maryland AFL-CIO, and Maryland State Education Association were among the organizations that asked the Legislature to pass the bill. In legislative testimony, Sharon Blugis, interim executive director of Pro-Choice Maryland, wrote, “Access to safe, legal, and accessible abortion and reproductive health care is not only a moral imperative, but it also has enormous social, economic, and health benefits to individuals, families, and communities.”

Dr. Frank Arlinghaus testified in opposition to the amendment, writing, “[A]mending the Maryland Constitution is an unusual and extreme measure, and this bill would take an extreme position on abortion, restricting the legislature’s opportunities to pass reasonable restrictions on abortion in late pregnancy or to restrict it as other healthcare.” 

The Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland Family Institute, Maryland Right to Life, and the Hope Movement also testified in opposition to the amendment. 

In 2022, three states—California, Michigan, and Vermont—became the first states to adopt constitutional amendments establishing a right to abortion.

In 2024, voters in New York will also decide on a constitutional amendment related to a state right to abortion. The Hawaii State Legislature is also considering adding an abortion right amendment to the ballot. In Ohio, signatures are being gathered for an initiative that would appear on the Nov. 2023 ballot.

From 1970 to November 2022, there were 53 abortion-related ballot measures, and 43 (81%) of these had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-life. Voters approved 11 (26%) and rejected 32 (74%) of these 43 ballot measures. The other 10 abortion-related ballot measures had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights. Voters approved seven (70%) and rejected three (30%).

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All candidates for Prince George’s County Board of Education District 6 in Maryland complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
November 7, 2022 at 5:11 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Prince George’s County Board of Education District 6 in Maryland — Branndon Jackson and Ashley Kearney — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

The Prince George’s County Board of Education consists of 13 members. Nine members are elected by district to four-year terms, three members are appointed by the county executive and one member is appointed by the county council.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? 

Jackson:           

“Equity in Education All students are created equal, but not all student’s circumstances are the same. Equity must be a driving factor in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). For PGCPS students to flourish, we must all engage as a community in promoting equity. We must remain sensitive to the needs of each student to help bridge the opportunity gap.”

Kearney:               

“I am passionate about ensuring that students are provided safe, joyous, and empowering 21st century learning communities led by highly qualified educators who feel supported leading the charge. As a result, my platform consists of the following issues: school safety, school infrastructure, community schools, educator effectiveness and workforce development.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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Lierman and Glassman running for Maryland comptroller on Nov. 8

By Ethan Rice
In 2022 elections
November 1, 2022 at 5:02 PM

Brooke Elizabeth Lierman (D) and Barry Glassman (R) are running for Maryland comptroller on Nov. 8, 2022. Incumbent Peter Franchot (D) ran for election for governor of Maryland. He lost in the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022.

Lierman has represented District 46 of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2015. She also worked as a disability and civil rights attorney and field organizer for U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone (D) and former presidential candidate Howard Dean (D). “As one of only three statewide, independently-elected officials,” Lierman said, “I will provide strong independent oversight of our state’s financial resources and be an advocate for families, communities, and small businesses.” Lierman’s endorsers include U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D), U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D), and The Baltimore Sun.

Glassman represented District 35 of the Maryland State Senate from 2009 to 2015 and served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2008. In 2014, Glassman was elected as county executive of Harford County. His professional experience includes working as a claims investigator for Travelers Insurance Company. On his campaign website, Glassman said, “Maryland’s budget is nearly $50 billion. As your Comptroller, I will hold the state accountable for spending money responsibly and in your best interest.” Glassman’s endorsers include Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), the Maryland Farm Bureau, and The Washington Post.

Lierman and Glassman both made statements regarding environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues. Lierman said she would “ensure that any outside investment management firms reflect the diversity of our state, and ensure our investments are prudent while also reflecting our progressive values” and that “[m]aking climate resilience one of the key pillars of the Comptroller’s Office will ensure that all decision-making and functions have a ‘climate lens’ by which to define future actions.” Glassman said, “The state constitution sets that office up as a non-partisan CFO. A bookkeeper — more than a bookkeeper — a tax collector, revenue-estimator, all those fiscal duties. The comptroller is not intended to be a partisan position,” and said, “I don’t think a carbon neutral or a new policy such as that is probably realistic going forward.”

The comptroller’s main duties are to collect all of the revenues from state programs, to provide information technology services for most of the state agencies, and to regulate the state’s alcohol, tobacco, and motor fuel industries. The officer also serves as a member of many state boards and commissions, such as the board of revenue estimates, the board of public works, and the board of trustees of the State retirement and pension system. Additional responsibilities of the office include registering wills, performing compliance audits for taxpayers, handling delinquent tax collection, and enforcing license and unclaimed property laws. The comptroller oversees agency efforts to publicize forgotten bank accounts, insurance benefits, and other unclaimed assets of state taxpayers.



Wes Moore projected to win Maryland Democratic gubernatorial primary

By Joel Williams
In 2022 elections
July 25, 2022 at 1:26 PM

Major media outlets projected Wes Moore as the winner of Maryland’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. With uncounted mail-in votes remaining, Moore received 33.8% of the vote, followed by Tom Perez with 28.3% and Peter Franchot with 21.5%.

Moore worked in the finance sector and as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, in addition to writing books about race, equity, and opportunity in America. Moore’s key policies included accelerating the state’s adoption of a $15 minimum wage, public safety and criminal justice, and increasing equity in public transportation. U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), at least 33 members of the legislature, and the Maryland State Education Association endorsed Moore. 

Moore will face Dan Cox (R), David Lashar (L), and Kyle Sefcik (I) in the Nov. 8 general election. Three independent forecasters rate the general election as Lean Democratic or Likely Democratic. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is term-limited and not running for re-election.



Cox wins GOP primary for Maryland governor

By Amee LaTour
In 2022 elections
July 20, 2022 at 9:08 PM

Dan Cox defeated Robin Ficker, Kelly Schulz, and Joe Werner in the Republican primary for Maryland governor on July 19, 2022. With 80% of results reported, Cox received 56% of the vote, followed by Schulz with 40%. Incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is term-limited and endorsed Schulz in the primary. Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Cox.

Cox served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2018. In an interview with O’Connor & Company, Cox said he was running to “give freedom back to the people. After two years, we’ve been working to renew a vision of constitutional leadership that our party believes in.”

Schulz served as Maryland’s secretary of commerce from 2019 to January 2022. Schulz said she graduated from college and worked in Maryland and her “campaign is about offering those same opportunities to Marylanders all across the state that deserve the opportunity to exceed and excel.”

Maryland has had a Republican governor since Hogan’s election in 2014. Joe Biden (D) defeated Trump in Maryland in the 2020 presidential election 65% to 32%.

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Maryland 2020 President Results



Contested state legislative primary numbers remain similar to recent election cycles in Maryland

By Douglas Kronaizl
In State
June 22, 2022 at 9:25 AM

With all 118 state legislative districts in Maryland up for election this year, there are 236 possible primaries. Of that total, 36.4%, or 86, are contested, similar to recent cycles in 2014 and 2018, which had 84 and 89 contested primaries, respectively.

A primary is contested when more candidates file to run than there are nominations available, meaning at least one candidate must lose.

The 86 contested primaries this year include 51 Democratic primaries and 35 for Republicans. For Democrats, this is down from 64 in 2018, a 20% decrease. For Republicans, that number increased 40% from 25 in 2018 to 35 in 2022.

Overall, 444 major party candidates—260 Democrats and 184 Republicans—filed to run for the state’s 141 House and 47 Senate seats.

Thirty-nine of those seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed. This guarantees that at least 21% of the legislature will be represented by newcomers next year.

There are 151 incumbents who filed for re-election: 108 Democrats and 43 Republicans. Of this total 95 (63%) face contested primaries, a lower rate than in 2018 (71%) and 2014 (67%).

Maryland has had a divided government since voters elected Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2014. Hogan is term-limited and unable to seek re-election this year. Democrats hold a 99-42 majority in the House and a 32-15 majority in the Senate.

Maryland’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for July 19, the ninth statewide primary date of the 2022 state legislative election cycle.

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Four candidates running in the Republican primary for governor of Maryland

By Ellen Morrissey
In State
June 21, 2022 at 10:14 AM

Four candidates are running in the Republican primary for governor of Maryland on July 19, 2022. Incumbent Governor Larry Hogan (R) was term-limited and could not run for re-election. As of June 2022, Dan Cox and Kelly Schulz led the primary field in endorsements and media attention.

Cox is an attorney and currently serves in the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 4 since he was elected in 2018. In an interview with O’Connor & Company, Cox said he was running to “give freedom back to the people. After two years, we’ve been working to renew a vision of constitutional leadership that our party believes in.” Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Cox.

Schulz worked in the defense and cybersecurity industries before serving in government. She most recently served as Maryland’s secretary of commerce from 2019 to January 2022. In an interview with Fox 5 DC, Schulz said she graduated from college and worked in Maryland and her “campaign is about offering those same opportunities to Marylanders all across the state that deserve the opportunity to exceed and excel.” Schulz was endorsed by Governor Hogan.

Both candidates highlighted education as a key issue of their respective campaigns. Cox said he supported parents’ rights in schools, and would oppose “the use of taxpayer dollars to teach divisive, anti-American Marxism and pit students against one-another”, mask requirements in schools, and “ban males from competing in female sports.”

Schulz said, “I introduced a parental bill of rights providing real school choice, record funding and accountability with education transparency.” She said she opposed school closures and mask and vaccine requirements in schools.

Robin Ficker and Joe Werner are also running in the primary. Cox is running with lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Gordana Schifanelli, Schulz with Jeff Woolford, Ficker with LeRoy Yegge Jr., and Werner with Minh Thanh Luong.

Maryland has had a Republican governor since Hogan’s election in 2014. As of June 2022, The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rated the 2022 general election as Lean Democratic, while Sabato’s Crystal Ball viewed the race as Likely Democratic.



Ten candidates running for Governor of Maryland in July 19 Democratic primary

By Joel Williams
In State
June 21, 2022 at 9:55 AM

Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary for governor of Maryland on July 19, 2022. The candidates leading in polling, endorsements, and fundraising are Peter Franchot, Wes Moore, and Tom Perez.

Franchot was elected as Maryland Comptroller in 2006 and served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1986 to 2007. Franchot’s campaign has highlighted his experience in public office and said his priorities included a jobs program based on infrastructure development and restoring trust in state government. Twelve members of the Maryland General Assembly endorsed Franchot.

Moore worked in the finance sector and as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, in addition to writing books about race, equity, and opportunity in America. Moore’s key policies include accelerating the state’s adoption of a $15 minimum wage, public safety and criminal justice, and increasing equity in public transportation. U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), 29 members of the legislature, and the Maryland State Education Association endorsed Moore.

Perez served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2021 and as the U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Obama administration from 2013-2017. Perez said that Maryland needed a “multitasker-in-chief,” highlighting these public positions and his professional experience. U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and eight other members of the U.S. House, 17 members of the legislature, and The Washington Post Editorial Board endorsed Perez.

Based on reports filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections in June 2022, Moore led in fundraising with $6.03 million, followed by Franchot ($3.61 million) and Perez ($3.26 million). Moore also led in spending with $4.27 million, followed by Franchot ($4.23 million) and Perez ($2.88 million). In a poll by The Baltimore Sun released in early June, Franchot led with 20% support, followed by Moore (15%) and Perez (12%) with 34% undecided.

Also running in the primary are Rushern Baker III (unofficially withdrawn), Jon Baron, Douglas F. Gansler, Ralph Jaffe, Ashwani Jain, John King, and Jerry Segal.



Maryland sees its fourth open U.S. House seat in the past decade

By Juan Garcia de Paredes
In Federal
June 17, 2022 at 10:08 AM

The filing deadline for candidates running for Congress in Maryland this year was April 15, 2022. Sixty-five candidates are running for Maryland’s eight U.S. House districts, including 31 Democrats and 34 Republicans. That’s 8.12 candidates per district, less than the 9.87 candidates per district in 2020 and more than the 6.87 in 2018.

  • This is the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census. Maryland was apportioned eight districts, the same number it was apportioned after the 2010 census.
  • Rep. Anthony Brown (D) is running for attorney general of Maryland, making the 4th district the only open seat this year and only the fourth U.S. House seat to open up in Maryland since 2012. 

  • Twelve candidates — nine Democrats and three Republicans — are running to replace Brown, the most candidates running for a seat this year. 
  • There are 15 contested primaries this year, eight Democratic and seven Republican. That’s one less than in 2020 and one more than in 2018.
  • Rep. Andrew Harris (R), who represents the 1st district, is the only incumbent not facing a primary challenger this year. That’s one more than in 2020, when all eight incumbents faced primary challengers, and the same as in 2018.
  • Republican and Democratic candidates filed to run in all eight districts, so no seats are guaranteed to either party this year. 

Maryland is holding primary elections on July 19, the 31st state to do so this year. In Maryland, the winner of a primary election is the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes, even if he or she does not win an outright majority of votes cast.

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Maryland parents oppose state health education framework

By Molly Byrne
In State
June 10, 2022 at 6:39 PM

Some Maryland parents, according to The Washington Post, have expressed opposition to a state health education framework that outlines how educators should teach students about mental and emotional health; substance abuse prevention; family life and human sexuality; safety and violence prevention; healthy eating; and disease prevention and control. Parents argue that the standards for family life and human sexuality education are not age-appropriate and that parents should be allowed to offer input on how their children are taught certain topics. 

The Maryland State Board of Education adopted the framework in 2019 and school districts have recently begun discussing how to implement the family life and human sexuality lessons in their schools. The framework states that students in pre-kindergarten through third grade should be taught about what the framework considers to be healthy relationships and gender identity, such as recognizing that there is “a range of ways people identify and express their gender” and “that there are different types of families.” The framework permits parents to opt their children out of the family life and human sexuality standards beginning in fourth grade. 

A Carroll County resident said at a school board meeting in April, “The government has no right to attempt to replace parents or their decisions regarding what their children learn,” according to the Post.

Brad Young, the president of the Frederick County school board said, “[The school board’s] job is to set policy for the school system, listen to the community, and adopt [the curriculum]. And if they would let that process work, I think in the end, people would be fine with the outcome,” according to the Post. 

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