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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.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Ashley EmerickDemocratic

    • Opposes new taxes or fees on average Marylanders.
    • Proposes new taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
    • Supports taxing data centers and large corporations.

  • Mike McKayRepublican

    • Opposes tax increases to close state budget gaps.

Public safety

  • Ashley EmerickDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Mike McKayRepublican

    • Supports gun rights, citing NRA backing.
    • Sponsored police training on autism and dementia.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Ashley EmerickDemocratic

    • Proposes funding trades training through colleges and apprenticeships.

  • Mike McKayRepublican

    • Pledges to roll back state energy mandates.

Health & human services

Government & transparency

  • Ashley EmerickDemocratic

    • Supports mail-in voting and current election administration.

  • Mike McKayRepublican

    • Supports strict voter ID checks for mail-in voting.

Courts & justice

  • Ashley EmerickDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Mike McKayRepublican

    • Sponsored the Clean Slate Act on automated record shielding.In office

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.