Maryland Governor

What’s the job: The state’s chief executive. The governor proposes the state budget and is responsible for agencies and services, such as transportation, the state police and human services. Has the ability to veto legislation. Nominates people to state boards and decides who will fill legislative vacancies. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Eric Felber, running mate LaTrece Hawkins Lytes

Age: 49

Personal: Single, lifelong resident.

Education: Trained as a physician in Philadelphia.

Experience: Physician, medical clinic owner-operator.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that the state’s economy relies too much on federal funding, such as medical and education research and defense? If so, how would you spur economic growth in other industries?

Q: What’s your view on President Donald Trump’s administration and what kind of relationship would you seek to have with him?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted? Be specific about which Blueprint programs you would cut or adjust.

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: What, if anything, would you do to address the cost and availability of housing in Maryland?

Q: How should the General Assembly check an executive’s power? How will you react when they check yours?

Q: Maryland has experienced significant declines in violent crime, including homicides. What policies would you pursue at the state level to continue to drive down crime?

Q: Do you agree with the scientific consensus that global climate change is influenced by human activities? What do you believe is the state’s role in combating climate change and mitigating the effects?

Q: Do you trust in the accuracy and integrity of Maryland elections? Would you make any changes to how Maryland elections are run or the way residents cast their ballots?

Name: Gov. Wes Moore, running mate Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller

Age: 48

Personal: Married father.

Education: Associate’s degree, Valley Forge Military College; bachelor’ degree, Johns Hopkins University; master’s degree, Wolfson College, University of Oxford.

Experience: Governor of Maryland (2023-present); former CEO, Robin Hood Foundation; paratrooper, 82nd Airborne Division.

Questionnaire

Candidate provided biographical information but did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Republican

Name: Carl Brunner Jr., running mate Kevin L. Rhodes Sr.

Age: 50

Personal: Lifelong Maryland resident.

Education: High school.

Experience: Security field (since 1991), including fugitive recovery; private investigations; firearms instructor.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that the state’s economy relies too much on federal funding, such as medical and education research and defense? If so, how would you spur economic growth in other industries?

Q: What’s your view on President Donald Trump’s administration and what kind of relationship would you seek to have with him?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted? Be specific about which Blueprint programs you would cut or adjust.

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: What, if anything, would you do to address the cost and availability of housing in Maryland?

Q: How should the General Assembly check an executive’s power? How will you react when they check yours?

Q: Maryland has experienced significant declines in violent crime, including homicides. What policies would you pursue at the state level to continue to drive down crime?

Q: Do you agree with the scientific consensus that global climate change is influenced by human activities? What do you believe is the state’s role in combating climate change and mitigating the effects?

Q: Do you trust in the accuracy and integrity of Maryland elections? Would you make any changes to how Maryland elections are run or the way residents cast their ballots?

Name: L.D. Burkindine, running mate Jeremy M. Shifflett

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Dan Cox, running mate Rob Krop

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Ed Hale, running mate Tyrone Keys Jr.

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Douglas Larcomb, running mate Martina D. Duncan

Age: 65

Personal: Single, eight children, 22 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter.

Education: College degree.

Experience: Redacted/Retired.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that the state’s economy relies too much on federal funding, such as medical and education research and defense? If so, how would you spur economic growth in other industries?

Q: What’s your view on President Donald Trump’s administration and what kind of relationship would you seek to have with him?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted? Be specific about which Blueprint programs you would cut or adjust.

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: What, if anything, would you do to address the cost and availability of housing in Maryland?

Q: How should the General Assembly check an executive’s power? How will you react when they check yours?

Q: Maryland has experienced significant declines in violent crime, including homicides. What policies would you pursue at the state level to continue to drive down crime?

Q: Do you agree with the scientific consensus that global climate change is influenced by human activities? What do you believe is the state’s role in combating climate change and mitigating the effects?

Q: Do you trust in the accuracy and integrity of Maryland elections? Would you make any changes to how Maryland elections are run or the way residents cast their ballots?

Name: John A. Myrick, running mate Brenda J. Thiam

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Michael Oakes, running mate Ronald W. Abend

Age: 73

Personal: Married, two children.

Education: High school graduate.

Experience: Business owner, 50+ years.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that the state’s economy relies too much on federal funding, such as medical and education research and defense? If so, how would you spur economic growth in other industries?

Q: What’s your view on President Donald Trump’s administration and what kind of relationship would you seek to have with him?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted? Be specific about which Blueprint programs you would cut or adjust.

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: What, if anything, would you do to address the cost and availability of housing in Maryland?

Q: How should the General Assembly check an executive’s power? How will you react when they check yours?

Q: Maryland has experienced significant declines in violent crime, including homicides. What policies would you pursue at the state level to continue to drive down crime?

Q: Do you agree with the scientific consensus that global climate change is influenced by human activities? What do you believe is the state’s role in combating climate change and mitigating the effects?

Q: Do you trust in the accuracy and integrity of Maryland elections? Would you make any changes to how Maryland elections are run or the way residents cast their ballots?

Name: Nancy Jane Taylor, running mate Rachel Hannah “Mohawk” Swift

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Shannon Wright, running mate Reba A. Hawkins

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.