State

State Senator, 17th 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.

Candidates Compare by issue

Helene Meister

Republican

Tax manager · Rockville

The gist

Supports requiring data centers to pay their fair share.
Supports expanding nuclear and gas-powered generation.
Supports stronger Public Service Commission oversight of utilities.
Proposes lowering sales and income taxes.
Proposes capping small-business licensing costs at $100.
Supports a centralized system tracking nonprofit grants.
Supports phasing in universal pre-K, starting income-based.

More about Helene

View sources (2)

Supports requiring data centers to pay their fair share.
Issues We Face - Helene Meister
Campaign website · Helene Meister for a Better Maryland · voteforhelene.com
“Require data centers to pay their fair share”
Supports expanding nuclear and gas-powered generation.
Issues We Face - Helene Meister
Campaign website · Helene Meister for a Better Maryland · voteforhelene.com
“Expand existing nuclear capacity, and support reliable gas-powered generation”
Supports stronger Public Service Commission oversight of utilities.
Issues We Face - Helene Meister
Campaign website · Helene Meister for a Better Maryland · voteforhelene.com
“Strengthen oversight on utility companies through the Maryland Public Service Commission”
Proposes lowering sales and income taxes.
Issues We Face - Helene Meister
Campaign website · Helene Meister for a Better Maryland · voteforhelene.com
“I want to lower the cost of life for residents by lowering sales tax, lowering income tax and expanding the gas tax holiday”
Proposes capping small-business licensing costs at $100.
Issues We Face - Helene Meister
Campaign website · Helene Meister for a Better Maryland · voteforhelene.com
“Streamline licencing and permitting allowing the creation of small business at a maximun cost of $100”
Supports a centralized system tracking nonprofit grants.
Maryland Senate District 17: 2026 Maryland Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Banner · May 18, 2026 · thebanner.com
“the creation of a centralized system to track grants to nonprofits, monitor how funds are used”
Supports phasing in universal pre-K, starting income-based.
Maryland Senate District 17: 2026 Maryland Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Banner · May 18, 2026 · thebanner.com
“the expansion of programs such as universal pre-kindergarten should be phased in gradually, potentially starting with income-based eligibility.”

Cheryl C. Kagan

DemocraticIncumbent

State senator · Montgomery County

The gist

Sponsored conversion therapy prohibitions and lawsuits.In office
Sponsored barring January 6 insurrectionists from some government roles.In office
Sponsored special elections to fill legislative vacancies.In office
Sponsored a bill on unaffiliated voters affiliating with parties.In office
Sponsored campus access to over-the-counter contraception.In office
Sponsored a tax credit for retired 9-1-1 specialists.In office
Sponsored stricter open-meeting rules for school boards.In office

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

More about Cheryl

View sources (1)

Sponsored conversion therapy prohibitions and lawsuits.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 950 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Conversion Therapy - Prohibitions and Causes of Action”
Sponsored barring January 6 insurrectionists from some government roles.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 962 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“January 6th Insurrectionists - Prohibition on Service in Certain Government Roles”
Sponsored special elections to fill legislative vacancies.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 5 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“General Assembly - Special Election to Fill a Vacancy in Office”
Sponsored a bill on unaffiliated voters affiliating with parties.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 132 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Election Law - Affiliating With a Party and Voting - Unaffiliated Voters”
Sponsored campus access to over-the-counter contraception.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 532 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting”
Sponsored a tax credit for retired 9-1-1 specialists.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 148 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income”
Sponsored stricter open-meeting rules for school boards.
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 99 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements”

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; 7 issues covered in this race.