Maryland Senate Leader Steve Hershey Abandons Governor’s Race, Stays in State Legislature
By Sandy Fitzgerald
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12:32 PM EST
Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey announced Tuesday he will not seek the governorship and will remain in the state Senate, stating that Maryland’s most significant policy battles are occurring within the legislature.
“After careful reflection, I have decided not to pursue a run for governor and will focus on continuing my service in the Maryland Senate,” Hershey stated in a message on X. “I am deeply grateful for the encouragement from across the state, but Maryland’s ‘biggest battles’ center on affordability, energy costs, and fiscal responsibility.”
Hershey emphasized he believes he can make the greatest difference as Senate Minority Leader and plans to seek reelection in District 36. Previously, Hershey formed an exploratory committee for a potential 2026 gubernatorial campaign, framing it as necessary to restore “balance” in a state he described as having moved “so far to the left” under Democratic control. At that time, Hershey indicated he expected to decide by year’s end whether he would challenge Governor Wes Moore, whom he acknowledged was nearly certain to be his party’s nominee.
Hershey said he had been approached by supporters about running and believed it was essential to provide voters with real competition. He added that the decision to form the exploratory committee solidified after Baltimore businessman Ed Hale Sr. announced he would switch parties to run for governor as a Republican.
“One of my biggest concerns,” Hershey explained, “is that I very much enjoy representing District 36 as a state senator. I am not willing to easily give up the opportunity to continue doing that.”
According to the Maryland Board of Elections, Republicans seeking primary nomination include Carl A. Brunner, Jr., L.D. Burkindine, Dan Cox, Ed Hale, John A. Myrick, Michael Oakes, Nancy Jane Taylor, and Kurt Wedekind. Democrats vying against Governor Moore for the nomination as of Tuesday are Eric S. Felber, LaTrece Hawkins Lytes, and Ralph Jaffe.
Maryland’s primary election is scheduled for June 23 with early voting from June 11 through June 18.
