MD Governor’s Primary: Will Dems Regain Top Job Or Will GOP Hold On?

MARYLAND — With Maryland's gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, candidates are making their final pitch to voters. The race is tight in the primary election for both parties.

The winner of each party's primary will square off in the general election on Nov. 8. That victor will replace Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is finishing his second term and cannot run again.

The race to fill the governor's mansion pits party ideologies against each other.

The GOP contest features one candidate similar to Hogan and another who better reflects former President Donald Trump. The Democratic ballot offers an establishment figure versus a political newcomer and an Obama-era official.

Trump took to his Truth Social site Monday to urge voters to choose Dan Cox over Hogan's pick, Kelly Schulz.

"Get out and vote for Dan Cox for Governor. Get rid of Shutdown RINO Larry Hogan who is trying to get another RINO into office, Kelly Schulz. Dan Cox will be a great Governor. Tomorrow is the day. Get out and vote," the former president said.

Related: MD GOP Senate Candidate Made False Police Report: Sheriff

Democratic Race

A recent Goucher College Poll suggested Comptroller Peter Franchot is leading the Democratic field with 16 percent of the vote.

Wes Moore, a veteran and a small business owner, appears tied with Tom Perez at 14 percent. Perez was President Barack Obama's labor secretary and the former chair of the Democratic National Committee.

The next closest candidate is former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who has 5 percent of the support, according to the poll.

About 35 percent of Democratic voters are undecided. Around 63 percent said they “could change their mind” and a third were set on their choice.

"The three frontrunners — Franchot, Moore, and Perez — each have the campaign funds and endorsements to compete for the voters of a largely undecided and malleable Democratic primary electorate," said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College. "Still, even with the investments of their significant resources, it’s unclear how much attention the average voter will pay to the mid-July primary."

Republican Race

The GOP race is similarly close. The poll found that 25 percent of Republican respondents plan to vote for Dan Cox, the state delegate for District 4 in Frederick and Carroll Counties.

Another 22 percent said they prefer Kelly Schulz, who served as Hogan's secretary of labor and secretary of commerce. Attorney Joe Werner was in third place with 3 percent of the vote.

Around 44 percent of Republicans are undecided, and 47 percent could change their mind.

"Given the political demographics of the state, Republican candidates must earn around a quarter of Democratic votes to win statewide office," Kromer said in a press release. "Our polling suggests that the Republican primary race is competitive between Cox and Schulz, but that Schulz is in the best position to be competitive against the Democratic nominee in the general election."

Democratic Priorities

One of Franchot's top priorities is rebuilding trust in the state government. In his first six months, Franchot hopes to fill every pothole on state-maintained roads, clean all trash on state roads and answer every Marylander’s call to state agencies within 60 seconds with a live professional. His other goals include creating 100,000 jobs in 100 weeks, bolstering the state's transportation system and improving education.

Franchot was endorsed by former Lt. Gov. Mickey Steinberg, a Democrat who served as the No. 2 leader behind former Gov. William Donald Schaefer. Additional details on Franchot are posted at this link.

Moore's biggest concern is the economy. He wants to produce 150,000 new STEM graduates during his first term and raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023, which is two years before the existing deadline under state law. Moore also has an eye on education, health care and transportation.

Moore is endorsed by fellow Democrat Steny Hoyer, the majority leader of the U.S. House and the representative of Maryland's 5th Congressional District. To read up on Moore, click here.

At the top of Perez's platform lies detailed-oriented governance. He envisions responsible budgeting and major contributions to Maryland's rainy day fund. Perez similarly cares about rights for people with disabilities, criminal justice reform and empowering Black Marylanders.

Visit this website to learn more about Perez, who is endorsed by The Washington Post.

Republican Priorities

Cox listed defending law enforcement as his main priority. His campaign website shows a video of him voting against police reform to limit the actions that officers can take during confrontations. Cox also wishes to protect gun rights, fight abortions and oppose teaching Critical Race Theory in schools.

Cox is endorsed by Trump. Visit Cox's campaign website at this link.

Improving public safety is a major goal for Schulz. She plans to expand upon Hogan's campaign to "Refund The Police." Schulz additionally hopes to promote school choice, lower taxes and battle inflation.

Click here for additional details on Schulz, who is endorsed by Hogan.

Hogan's Next Move

Hogan's support is rare in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1.

The Goucher Poll found that 64 percent of Maryland Democrats have a favorable view of Hogan. Similarly, 67 percent of Republicans have a favorable view of the governor.

This bipartisan approval helped Hogan become the second Republican governor to be re-elected in the state's history.

Some think Hogan could move over to the U.S. Senate after his term is up. The governor, however, ruled out that possibility earlier this year.

Rumors have swirled that Hogan is considering a presidential run in 2024. Hogan frequently quarreled with Trump during his presidency. In a potential presidential bid, Hogan may attract moderate Republicans and deflect stronger conservatives that prefer Trump.

About 39 percent of Maryland Republicans would consider voting for Hogan in a potential GOP presidential primary, Goucher said. In comparison, 45 percent would not consider voting for him and 11 percent said "it depends."

What District Am I In?

Voters can see which districts they live in by using this tool. That resource also tells Marylanders their:

• Ballot dropbox locations
• Early voting centers
• Election day polling place
• Registration status
• Party affiliation
• Current state and federal representatives

How Can I Register To Vote?

Registration is already closed for the primary election. It will reopen on Aug. 1 at noon for the general election. At that time, voters can register at this link.

How Can I Vote By Mail Or Dropbox?

Marylanders can request a ballot to return by mail or dropbox. Those ballots can be delivered by mail or fax. Voters can also download their ballot from the state's website.

Residents can request a ballot by:

• Completing this online form
• Visiting their local elections office
• Filling out this form and mailing, faxing or emailing it to their elections office

The deadline for ballot requests to be received, not just sent, is:

• July 12 if the ballot will be delivered by mail or fax
• July 15 at 5 p.m. if using use the mail to request a ballot that will be sent over the internet
• July 15 at 11:59 p.m. if using the online form or fax to request a ballot that will be sent over the internet
• July 19 if requesting a ballot in person at a local board of elections office

Ballots received over the internet must then be printed. Voters should then return their completed ballot by mail or dropbox. Marylanders cannot cast their votes online.

Residents can return their completed ballot by:

• Hand delivering it to their local board of elections by 8 p.m. on July 19 or taking it to an early voting center by the time the polls close
• Mailing it to their local board of elections. These ballots must be postmarked on or before July 19. Election officials must receive these ballots by 10 a.m. on July 29
• Placing it in one of these dropboxes by 8 p.m. on July 19

More information on mail-in and dropbox voting is available on this website.

When Is Early Voting?

Early voting is already done. It ran from July 7 through July 14.

When Is Primary Election Day?

The gubernatorial primary election day is July 19. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents must vote at their assigned polling place on primary election day. Voters can look up their polling place by using this search tool.

To read more about the primary election, visit this website.

When Will The Results Be Certified?

The Maryland State Board of Elections expects to certify the final results during the week of Aug. 8. Officials will announce the unofficial early voting and election day results on July 19, but they still have to count the mail-in, dropbox and provisional ballots.

State law says these tallies must start and end on specific dates after election day. That means the final and official results will come a few weeks after voters hit the polls.