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State Senator, 8th 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.

Yahu Blackwell

Republican

Baltimore County

The gist

  • Opposes tax increases on businesses.
  • Supports repealing business regulations.
  • Proposes turning public middle and high schools into trade schools.
  • Supports increasing police presence in neighborhoods.
  • Proposes family-court incentives for co-parenting over litigation.
  • Supports policies giving support to new parents.
More about Yahu
View sources (1)
  1. Opposes tax increases on businesses.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “standing firm against tax increases that threaten to stifle opportunities”
  2. Supports repealing business regulations.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “By advocating for the repeal of cumbersome regulations”
  3. Proposes turning public middle and high schools into trade schools.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “transforming public middle and high schools into full-service trade schools”
  4. Supports increasing police presence in neighborhoods.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “By increasing police presence in our neighborhoods, we can ensure a safer environment for all residents.”
  5. Proposes family-court incentives for co-parenting over litigation.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “promoting incentives that prioritize healthy co-parenting over adversarial court battles”
  6. Supports policies giving support to new parents.

    Blackwell For MD - Policy Positions

    Campaign website · Armah Blackwell 4 MD · blackwell4md.com

    “provide tangible support for mothers, fathers, and families as they embark on the journey of welcoming new life”
Photo of Carl Jackson
Carl JacksonOfficial portrait — Maryland General Assembly

Carl Jackson

DemocraticIncumbent

State senator · Baltimore County

The gist

  • Supported the Utility RELIEF Act on energy bills.
  • Supported banning personalized pricing based on shoppers' data.
  • Secured $2 million for a White Marsh commuter bus route.
  • Secured over $3 million for District 8 projects.
  • Sponsored inspector general oversight of Baltimore County schools.In office
  • Sponsored labor peace agreement rules for cannabis licensees.In office

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

More about Carl
View sources (2)
  1. Supported the Utility RELIEF Act on energy bills.

    Accomplishments - Senator Carl Jackson

    Campaign website · Citizens for Carl Jackson · carljackson.info

    “which will lower average annual energy bills for marylanders, hold utility companies accountable”
  2. Supported banning personalized pricing based on shoppers' data.

    Accomplishments - Senator Carl Jackson

    Campaign website · Citizens for Carl Jackson · carljackson.info

    “which prohibits businesses from using information such as a customer's shopping habits or other personal data to charge different people different prices”
  3. Secured $2 million for a White Marsh commuter bus route.

    Accomplishments - Senator Carl Jackson

    Campaign website · Citizens for Carl Jackson · carljackson.info

    “He helped secure $2 million for a new Eastside commuter bus route connecting White Marsh to Tradepoint Atlantic”
  4. Secured over $3 million for District 8 projects.

    Accomplishments - Senator Carl Jackson

    Campaign website · Citizens for Carl Jackson · carljackson.info

    “Senator Jackson and his team secured more than $3 million in direct investments for District 8”
  5. Sponsored inspector general oversight of Baltimore County schools.

    Senator Carl Jackson, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 15 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Baltimore County - Inspector General - Authority Over Baltimore County Public Schools”
  6. Sponsored labor peace agreement rules for cannabis licensees.

    Senator Carl Jackson, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 995 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Cannabis Licensure - Labor Peace Agreements and Collective Bargaining”

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.

State Senator, 8th District · Maryland 2026 Gubernatorial General Election · The Gist