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State Senator, 2nd 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

Eric Martin Van Buren

Democratic

Paralegal (criminal litigation) · Hagerstown

The gist

  • Proposes $1 million CARE program for nonviolent crises.
  • Pledges to target traffickers, gangs and predatory businesses.
  • Pledges line-by-line review of contracts and tax credits.
  • Proposes using Edwards Fund dollars to create jobs.
  • Supports mail ballots, drop boxes and homebound ballot collection.
More about Eric
View sources (1)

  1. Proposes $1 million CARE program for nonviolent crises.

    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

    “Our goal is to invest $1 million so trained professionals can handle nonviolent crises, while police focus on serious crime.”

  2. Pledges to target traffickers, gangs and predatory businesses.

    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

    “We will target traffickers, violent gangs, criminal organizations, slumlords, predatory businesses, and anyone exploiting children or seniors.”

  3. Pledges line-by-line review of contracts and tax credits.

    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 protect teachers, healthcare, and disability services while reviewing contracts, tax credits, and programs line by line.”

  4. Proposes using Edwards Fund dollars to create jobs.

    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 use existing county partnerships and Edwards Fund dollars to create ALICE wage jobs without raising taxes.”

  5. Supports mail ballots, drop boxes and homebound ballot collection.

    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 support secure mail ballots, drop boxes, ballot tracking, voting buses, and authorized election agents who can collect ballots from homebound voters.”
Photo of Paul D. Corderman
Paul D. CordermanOfficial portrait — Maryland General Assembly

Paul D. Corderman

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; small business owner · Hagerstown

The gist

  • Offered budget amendments to balance budget without tax increases.
  • Supports faster certification of election results.
  • Sponsored a bill on postconviction release in young-victim deaths.In office
  • Sponsored a public school construction funding bill.In office
  • Sponsored an income tax break for food bank donations.In office
  • Sponsored sales tax exemption for Washington County redevelopment area.In office
  • Sponsored nonresident tuition exemption for public safety families.In office

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

More about Paul
View sources (2)

  1. Offered budget amendments to balance budget without tax increases.

    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 introduced multiple budget amendments that would have balanced the budget without imposing the largest tax increase in our state's history.”

  2. Supports faster certification of election results.

    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

    “streamline the process so that voters are not left waiting weeks after an election for results to be certified”

  3. Sponsored a bill on postconviction release in young-victim deaths.

    Senator Paul D. Corderman, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 640 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Criminal Procedure - Postconviction Release - Crimes Resulting in Death of Young Victim”

  4. Sponsored a public school construction funding bill.

    Senator Paul D. Corderman, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 934 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Education - Public School Construction - Funding”

  5. Sponsored an income tax break for food bank donations.

    Senator Paul D. Corderman, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 935 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Donations to Food Banks and Other Charitable Entities”

  6. Sponsored sales tax exemption for Washington County redevelopment area.

    Senator Paul D. Corderman, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 193 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Washington County - Sales and Use Tax Exemption - Target Redevelopment Area”

  7. Sponsored nonresident tuition exemption for public safety families.

    Senator Paul D. Corderman, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 212 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Exemption for Spouses and Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees”

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.