State

State Senator, 5th 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

Gary Foote

Democratic

Retired teacher · Westminster

The gist

Supports evaluating the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
Opposes the Piedmont Reliability Project transmission line.
Supports more speed cameras, at least near schools.
Supports the state ban on 287(g) agreements with ICE.
Supports more funding for fire and emergency services.
Supports data centers providing their own energy.

More about Gary

View sources (1)

Supports evaluating the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“He's calling for an evaluation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a plan to improve education in the state.”
Opposes the Piedmont Reliability Project transmission line.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“He's opposed to the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 500,000-volt transmission line”
Supports more speed cameras, at least near schools.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“he would support increased use of speed cameras, at least in areas around schools”
Supports the state ban on 287(g) agreements with ICE.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“Foote said he supports a bill passed in the General Assembly forbidding local law enforcement from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
Supports more funding for fire and emergency services.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“He also supports increased funding for fire and emergency services”
Supports data centers providing their own energy.
Foote focuses on education, affordability, public health in District 5 Senate race
News coverage · The Frederick News-Post (via Yahoo News) · Apr 4, 2026 · yahoo.com
“There has got to be a way that data centers provide their own energy”

Justin Ready

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator; small business owner · Carroll County

The gist

Pledges to eliminate wasteful spending and failing programs.
Opposed 2023's SB 1 limiting wear-and-carry permit use.
Sponsored legislation targeting repeat violent offenders.
Opposes abortion.
Co-sponsored tying Maryland's estate tax to the federal one.
Sponsored repeal of the vehicle emissions inspection program.In office
Sponsored proof of identity for in-person voting.In office

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

More about Justin

View sources (2)

Pledges to eliminate wasteful spending and failing programs.
Justin's Priorities - Senator Justin Ready
Campaign website · Friends of Justin Ready · justinready.com
“Eliminating wasteful spending Defunding programs that are not working”
Opposed 2023's SB 1 limiting wear-and-carry permit use.
Justin's Priorities - Senator Justin Ready
Campaign website · Friends of Justin Ready · justinready.com
“has led the fight against legislation like 2023's SB 1 which limits law-abiding citizens rights to utilize wear and carry permits”
Sponsored legislation targeting repeat violent offenders.
Justin's Priorities - Senator Justin Ready
Campaign website · Friends of Justin Ready · justinready.com
“Senator Ready has presented legislation to target repeat violent offenders”
Opposes abortion.
Justin's Priorities - Senator Justin Ready
Campaign website · Friends of Justin Ready · justinready.com
“Justin is 100% pro-life. He believes that life inside and outside the womb should be protected and valued.”
Co-sponsored tying Maryland's estate tax to the federal one.
Justin's Priorities - Senator Justin Ready
Campaign website · Friends of Justin Ready · justinready.com
“Justin's proud to have co-sponsored legislation to re-couple the Maryland estate tax to the federal estate tax.”
Sponsored repeal of the vehicle emissions inspection program.
Senator Justin Ready, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 106 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Vehicle Laws - Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program - Repeal”
Sponsored proof of identity for in-person voting.
Senator Justin Ready, member page, Maryland General Assembly
Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 567 · mgaleg.maryland.gov
“Elections - In-Person Voting - Proof of Identity”

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; 8 issues covered in this race.