Lopsided contests, foregone outcomes and, in some cases, stakes so small only the wonkiest of political wonks care.
And yet — and yet — Maryland has seen moments of breathtaking political spectacle this fall.
With two days until the polls close, it’s time to recognize the best, the worst and the just plain weird of election 2026.
Cost of victory
Gov. Wes Moore
Former President Barack Obama’s ad urging voters to support a state constitutional amendment proves one thing:
Moore really wants Maryland to have a role in the national Democratic response to Republican gerrymandering.
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The General Assembly gave him the ball, setting up a referendum drive to change the rules for redrawing congressional boundaries. The governor says it’s the right thing to do, and lots of powerful Democrats agree.
I’m sure the 2028 presidential conversation has nothing to do with it.
Nuh-uh. No sir. No way.
OK, probably a little.
Moore called in a favor from Obama. The timing couldn’t have been better, days after the former president’s viral riff on President Donald Trump, Saddam Hussein and The Cheesecake Factory.
It might just get this thing across the line. You have to wonder, though, how many favors Moore gets from America’s most popular living ex-president.
Runner-up: Bill Ferguson. The Maryland Senate president has offered lukewarm support for Question 3 after reluctantly ensuring its passage. No matter the outcome, the Moore-Ferguson relationship suffers.
Self-inflicted
Andy Harris
If the eight-term Republican survives a remarkable challenge from Democrat Dan Schwartz, he owes Moore a thank-you note.
Harris positioned himself for an upset with his churlish behavior in Cambridge, a viral moment that resonated for weeks just as voters started tuning in to the election. Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen made it worse.
The governor campaigned Friday with Schwartz in Easton, but also motivated Republican voters with Question 3 and its implications for carving up Harris’ district before 2028. Schwartz needs those voters to stay home.
If the congressman wins, he’s unlikely to be chastened.
Runners-up: Dels. Brian Chisholm and Mark Fisher launched a racist podcast attack on Del. Chao Wu. It could crack their Republican districts.
Debate winner
Will Jawando
The Democratic candidate for Montgomery County executive declined to debate his Republican opponent, Esther Wells.
Democratic voters hold an insurmountable advantage in Maryland’s largest county, and Jawando completed a bruising debate schedule with more viable candidates in the primaries.
About that word, viable.
As he returned to campaigning after a heart attack, Jawando described Wells’ campaign as “not viable” to explain his refusal.
Republicans harrumphed, but the unvarnished truth probably won’t cost Jawando any votes.
Still.
Runner-up: Anne Arundel’s Allison Pickard was the only Democratic executive candidate in the big six counties to debate a Republican rival one-on-one this fall.
Lady in waiting
Aruna Miller
When my Banner colleague Pamela Wood asked Moore if he would finish a second term, the governor demurred.
If he moves to the national stage, either through the 2028 presidential election or appointment afterward, Lt. Gov. Miller becomes Maryland’s first woman governor.
Miller hasn’t been a campaign presence, instead focusing on announcements like funding for behavioral health, addiction and transportation initiatives.
Blair Lee III was the only Maryland lieutenant governor to step into big job, following the conviction of Marvin Mandel. He and three others ran for governor and lost.
Runner-up: Comptroller Brooke Lierman. She’s biding her time until the next race for governor in 2030.
Scariest moment
Ballot shooting
An unnamed Baltimore City election worker was picking up early voting ballots on Oct. 22 when she was caught in a police shooting.
She ran for cover as bullets hit her car near Erdman Avenue, leaving the ballots behind to be retrieved later.
Runners-up: Envelopes of white material landed in the offices of Maryland Elections Supervisor Jared DeMarinis, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Sarah Elfreth and others. Test showed it was harmless, but it was a frightening reminder of the 2001 anthrax scare.
Executive in peril
Jessica Fitzwater
The first-term Democrat’s embrace of data centers as an economic boon for Frederick County backfired.
Republican Jeff Holtzinger, a former Frederick mayor, is capitalizing on public anger over rising electricity rates and environmental impact.
Runner-up: Julie Giordano. The Wicomico County Republican exec is feuding with her party and was dragged into revenge porn allegations. Democrat Ernest Davis is the challenger.
Ugliest moment
Harold Maldonado
The Montgomery County Republican Party disavowed its 7th District council candidate after blogger Adam Pagnucco reported on Maldonado’s bizarre antisemitic screeds.
Maldonado issued a four-page statement, saying he had been smeared. He didn’t deny making the comments.
Runner-up: Josiah Cox, son and former bodyguard of the Republican candidate for governor, posted antisemitic social media posts. His dad, Dan Cox, relayed an apology.
Brash PAC
Truth for Maryland
The political action committee bought streaming media ads opposing Question 3 that borrow Moore’s slogan and campaign colors.
The governor’s campaign asked a judge to make it stop.
Runner-up: American Future PAC is spending more than $3 million to influence the future of online casino gaming.
Right a wrong
Cumberland Times-News
With no Democrat on the ballot, the newspaper ran the headline “Morgan wins Allegheny County sheriff’s race.”
Maj. David Morgan won the June 23 Republican primary, with no Democrat on the ballot. Then Juliana Marie Hong filed Oct. 15 as a write-in candidate.
The headline remains online and will be right again on Wednesday.
Runner-up: Rumor control at the Maryland State Board of Elections, a website created to debunk the never-ending, crazy things people say about elections.
Best rematch
Sesker vs. Fredericks
Four years ago, Democrat Everett Sesker unseated Anne Arundel County Sheriff Jim Fredericks by a 1.13% margin — eked out after 18,000 mail-in ballots were counted.
Fredericks is trying to get his job back in a tough year for Republicans.
Runner-up: Cox versus Moore. C’mon. How much more can you say about this?
The odds
Moore to win
Polymarket, the cryptocurrency prediction market, forecasts a 99% chance that Moore will be reelected and a 3% chance of Cox winning.
Runner-up: Elfreth has a 99% chance in the 3rd District, with Republican challenger Berney Flowers at 4%.
Did I miss something? Absolutely.
Now it’s your turn. What did you see that was beautiful, bad or bizarre?
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