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2026 Maryland gubernatorial election
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]
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] 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] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
Campaign finance reports as of January 8, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Wes Moore (D)
$4,164,543
$1,750,599
$4,812,925
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[ 10]
John Myrick, federal executive consultant and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 [ 11]
Kurt Wedekind, farmer[ 12] Carl Brunner, firearms business owner[ 13] Running mate: Kevin Rhodes, sales executive[ 13] Announcement pending [ edit ] Third-party and independent candidates [ edit ] Hypothetical polling
Wes Moore vs. Larry Hogan
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Wes
Larry
Undecided
Gonzales Research[ 21]
December 27, 2024 − January 4, 2025
811 (RV)
± 3.5%
52%
38%
10%
^ Key:
^ a b Gardner, Akayla (January 21, 2025). "Wes Moore Seeks to Silence 2028 Chatter Before Run for Reelection in Maryland" . Bloomberg News . Retrieved January 21, 2025 . ^ 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 . ^ 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 . ^ Wintrode, Brenda (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Marylanders favor Moore over Hogan in 2026, oppose new taxes" . The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved May 2, 2025 . ^ a b 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 . ^ 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 . ^ Glueck, Katie (June 7, 2025). "Five Big Midterm Questions That Could Shape Democrats' 2028 Field" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 7, 2025 . ^ Brown, Danielle J. (June 25, 2025). "Former Govs. Larry Hogan, Steve Bullock repeat call for more listening, less shouting in politics" . Maryland Matters . Retrieved July 2, 2025 . ^ Moodee Lockman, JT (May 8, 2025). "Baltimore's Ed Hale announces run for Maryland governor in 2026 election" . CBS News . Retrieved May 10, 2025 . ^ "Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System" . campaignfinance.maryland.gov . Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2025 .^ a b Sears, Bryan P. (May 1, 2025). "Early GOP candidate for governor taps former delegate as running mate" . Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 1, 2025 . ^ 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 . ^ a b "2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List" . elections.maryland.gov . Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 14, 2025 .^ Janesch, Sam (June 18, 2025). "Republican Del. Chris Bouchat plans run for Maryland governor in 2026" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 18, 2025 . ^ Janesch, Sam (June 24, 2025). "Larry Hogan mum on political future as he talks states' response to Trump" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 24, 2025 . ^ 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 . ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings" . Cook Political Report . Retrieved January 23, 2025 .^ "Gubernatorial Ratings" . Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025 .^ "2026 Governor" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved May 1, 2025 .^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026" . Race to the WH . Retrieved June 30, 2025 .^ Sears, Bryan P. (January 7, 2025). "Poll: Taxes to erase deficits pose political problem for Moore" . Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 7, 2025 .
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