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State Senator, 1st District

Vote for
1
Term
4 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on Maryland laws and the state budget and confirms the Governor's appointments.

Ashley Emerick

Democratic

Owner and operator of AJ's Cookie Jar · Rawlings

The gist

  • Proposes funding trades training through colleges and apprenticeships.
  • Opposes new taxes or fees on average Marylanders.
  • Proposes new taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
  • Supports taxing data centers and large corporations.
  • Supports mail-in voting and current election administration.
More about Ashley
View sources (1)
  1. Proposes funding trades training through colleges and apprenticeships.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I plan to fund the Trades Program through the local colleges, high schools, apprenticeship programs, and employer partnerships.”
  2. Opposes new taxes or fees on average Marylanders.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I will not support new taxes or fees for the average Marylander.”
  3. Proposes new taxes on the ultra-wealthy.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I will introduce new taxes for the ultra-wealthy so that they are paying their fair share in taxes.”
  4. Supports taxing data centers and large corporations.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “Data centers should be paying taxes. Large corporations and non-resident luxury property owners are targets for new taxes, as well.”
  5. Supports mail-in voting and current election administration.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I encourage voters to participate in our elections using whichever method works for them.”
Photo of Mike McKay
Mike McKayOfficial portrait — Maryland General Assembly

Mike McKay

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; small business owner · Cumberland

The gist

  • Opposes tax increases to close state budget gaps.
  • Pledges to roll back state energy mandates.
  • Supports strict voter ID checks for mail-in voting.
  • Opposes abortion.
  • Supports gun rights, citing NRA backing.
  • Sponsored the Clean Slate Act on automated record shielding.In office
  • Sponsored police training on autism and dementia.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Mike
View sources (3)
  1. Opposes tax increases to close state budget gaps.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I would close state budget gaps by prioritizing fiscal discipline over higher taxes.”
  2. Pledges to roll back state energy mandates.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “I will continue to fight to cut taxes and fees, roll back costly energy mandates, restore fair road funding”
  3. Supports strict voter ID checks for mail-in voting.

    Learn about Maryland Senate candidates (Herald-Mail questionnaire, Districts 1 and 2)

    Candidate questionnaire · The Herald-Mail (via Yahoo News) · Sep 18, 2026 · yahoo.com

    “any expansion of mail-in balloting must include strong safeguards: strict voter ID verification”
  4. Opposes abortion.

    Mike McKay for State Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Citizens to Elect Mike McKay · mikemckaymd.com

    “Mike McKay believes life begins at conception and the Government has an obligation to protect the unborn.”
  5. Supports gun rights, citing NRA backing.

    Mike McKay for State Senate District 1

    Campaign website · Citizens to Elect Mike McKay · mikemckaymd.com

    “Mike is a proud sportsman and defender of the Second Amendment. Supported by both the NRA and the Western Maryland Sportsman Club”
  6. Sponsored the Clean Slate Act on automated record shielding.

    Senator Mike McKay, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 483 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Criminal Procedure - Automated Shielding (Clean Slate Act of 2026)”
  7. Sponsored police training on autism and dementia.

    Senator Mike McKay, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 745 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.