2026 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Elliott Herneker

EDGEWOOD, MD — Elliott Herneker has entered the race for State Delegate District 34A. Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office.

Below you will find Herneker's responses, verbatim:

Name: Elliott Herneker

Age on Election Day: 24

Hometown: Edgewood

Political Affiliation: Republican

Email address: ejhfordistricta@gmail.com

Campaign website and Facebook page: ejhfordistrict34a.com and www.facebook.com/share/1cBRfTuXe1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.

Yes. I currently serve as Chairman of the Harford County Young Republicans, and I previously interned for Governor Larry Hogan’s 2024 United States Senate campaign. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of listening to voters, organizing around real issues, and working with people who may not always agree on everything but still care deeply about their community.

I have also been heavily involved in local advocacy, especially around the data center issue in Harford County. I have used social media, public meetings, and direct community conversations to help raise awareness about how large scale data center development could impact our neighborhoods, infrastructure, land, water, and quality of life. One of my videos on the issue reached more than 430,000 views, which showed me that people are paying attention and want someone willing to speak up.

If elected, I will bring that same energy to Annapolis. I will not be someone who disappears after Election Day. I will stay active in the community, stay accessible to residents, and fight for the issues people are actually talking about at their kitchen tables.

What do you believe is the single most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

The single most important issue facing voters in District 34A is protecting our quality of life while making sure Harford County remains affordable, safe, and locally controlled.

Right now, the data center issue is one of the clearest examples of that. Residents are concerned about the impact these projects could have on traffic, water usage, energy demand, noise, farmland, and the overall character of our communities. Perryman, Edgewood, Joppatowne, and surrounding areas should not be treated as dumping grounds for projects that benefit large corporations while leaving local families to deal with the consequences.

As delegate, I would support stronger state level oversight, transparency, and protections when it comes to large scale development projects. I believe residents deserve a real voice before major decisions are made that could permanently change their neighborhoods. I will also focus on affordability, public safety, education, and making sure state government is working for working families, small businesses, and taxpayers.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I believe what separates me is that I am not waiting until I am elected to fight for this community. I am already doing the work.

I have been active at public meetings, speaking with residents, creating awareness, and standing up on the data center issue when many people felt ignored. I am not running just to hold a title. I am running because I believe District 34A needs a stronger voice, someone who is willing to challenge the system, ask difficult questions, and put local residents ahead of special interests.

I also believe this district needs representation that is visible and accessible. People should know who their delegate is. They should be able to reach them. They should see them at community events, public hearings, small businesses, churches, neighborhoods, and civic meetings. That is the kind of delegate I intend to be.

How would your work experience benefit the goals and objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and the office you’re seeking?

My work experience has taught me discipline, responsibility, leadership, and how to solve problems under pressure. I have worked at UPS for five years and have served in a supervisory role, which means I understand what it is like to work hard, manage people, meet expectations, and be accountable.

That experience matters because government needs more people who understand the real world. Working families are dealing with rising costs, long hours, and pressure from every direction. I understand that because I have lived it. I am not removed from the struggles people face. I know what it means to work for a paycheck, pay bills, and still try to build a future.

That perspective would guide me in office. I would approach every issue by asking how it affects regular people, small businesses, families, seniors, and taxpayers in Harford County.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it?

I respect anyone who is willing to serve in public office, but I also believe District 34A deserves stronger, more visible, and more aggressive representation on the issues that directly affect our communities.

Too often, people feel that Annapolis is distant from what is happening here in Harford County. Residents should not have to wonder where their representatives stand on major local issues. They should know. Whether it is data centers, crime, affordability, education, transportation, or economic development, I believe a delegate should be present, vocal, and accountable.

I would improve on the current representation by being more accessible, more active in local discussions, and more willing to fight publicly for the concerns of District 34A. My goal is simple: make sure Harford County is heard loud and clear in Annapolis.

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?

I believe our schools have many hardworking teachers, staff members, parents, and students who deserve support. At the same time, we need to be honest that improvements are needed.

Students need safe schools, strong discipline standards, and a focus on the basics: reading, writing, math, history, science, civics, and career readiness. Parents should also have a strong voice in their child’s education. They deserve transparency and respect from the school system.

I also believe we need to do more to support career and technical education. Not every student is going to take the same path, and that is okay. We should be preparing young people for college, trades, public service, military service, apprenticeships, and good paying jobs. Education should prepare students for real life and real opportunity.

How do you feel about crime in your area and what steps can be taken to reduce it?

Public safety must be a top priority. Families should feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses. When crime rises or when people feel unsafe, it affects everything else, including quality of life, property values, business growth, and trust in government.

We need to support law enforcement, make sure police have the resources and staffing they need, and hold repeat offenders accountable. At the same time, we should also focus on prevention by supporting youth programs, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and stronger community partnerships.

Reducing crime requires both accountability and prevention. We cannot ignore either side of the issue.

What do you think about the economic climate and business sector in your community, and what initiatives could propel it forward?

Harford County has a lot of potential. We have hardworking residents, strong local businesses, access to major roads, proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground, and communities that people are proud to call home. But we need economic growth that actually benefits local residents and protects the character of our communities.

I support cutting unnecessary red tape for small businesses, encouraging responsible development, expanding workforce training, and helping attract businesses that bring good jobs without overwhelming our infrastructure or damaging our quality of life.

Economic development should not mean saying yes to every project. It should mean asking whether a project is right for the community, whether it creates real opportunity, and whether it respects the people who already live here.

How do you feel about transportation options in the area and what, if anything, should be improved upon?

Transportation is a major issue in District 34A. Many residents rely on cars to get to work, school, appointments, and daily responsibilities. Roads must be maintained, traffic concerns need to be taken seriously, and infrastructure should keep up with growth.

I believe the state needs to pay closer attention to local road conditions, congestion, pedestrian safety, and the impact that major development projects can have on traffic. If the state or county approves growth without planning for roads and infrastructure, residents are the ones who suffer.

We also need to look at practical transportation improvements that help seniors, working families, and residents who may not have reliable access to a vehicle. Transportation policy should be realistic, local, and focused on what people actually need.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I want voters to know that I am running for the right reasons. I am not doing this for a title or because I think politics should be a career ladder. I am running because I care about Harford County, I care about the people who live here, and I believe District 34A deserves someone who will actually show up and fight for them.

I am a regular person who works, pays bills, listens to my neighbors, and understands the pressure families are under right now. I know people are tired of politicians who only appear during election season and then disappear when the hard issues come up. That is not who I intend to be.

If elected, I will be accessible, honest, and active in the community. Whether someone agrees with me on every issue or not, they will always know where I stand, and they will always have someone willing to listen.

At the end of the day, this campaign is about giving the people of District 34A a stronger voice in Annapolis and making sure Harford County is never overlooked.