Election Guide: State Offices

With the general election set for November 3, the Severna Park Voice asked local candidates to respond to the following question:

If elected or re-elected, what will three of your top priorities be in office?

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 30 SENATOR

Jessica Haire, Republican

I will focus on practical solutions, fiscal responsibility and delivering bipartisan results. That’s the kind of leadership residents of District 30 deserve in Annapolis.

Affordability: Maryland families are feeling the pressure of rising costs. I will fight for responsible budgeting and policies that lower costs and give families more room to thrive.

Economic opportunity: Maryland should be a place where small businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can succeed, and families can build a future. I will work to improve Maryland’s business climate, reduce unnecessary barriers, and support the job creators who make our communities stronger.

Transparency and responsiveness: Government should work for the people it serves. I will make accountability and responsiveness hallmarks of my service, listening to constituents, returning calls, explaining decisions, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

Shaneka Henson, Democrat

(Incumbent)

The Voice could not reach Shaneka Henson before the deadline.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 30A DELEGATE

Dylan Behler, Democrat

(Incumbent)

The Voice could not reach Dylan Behler before the deadline.

Dana Jones, Democrat

(Incumbent)

The Voice could not reach Dana Jones before the deadline.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 31 SENATOR

Nic Kipke, Republican

For the last 20 years, I’ve built a reputation of being a bipartisan legislator who is present in the community and an elected official who prioritizes helping people in the community solve problems. Whether it’s a dispute with an insurance company, repairing a pothole, helping a parent find treatment for their child, or other issues, this has always been my top priority and that will continue.

Our utility bills are the highest in the nation because Annapolis politicians continue to penalize affordable energy production in Maryland. I will continue to fight for more affordable energy and not be controlled by special interest groups.

I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and will not violate my commitment to oppose all new taxes. Maryland taxpayers are among the highest-taxed people in the country. Marylanders are fleeing at an alarming pace to places like Florida, but also to nearby states that have more affordable taxes like Delaware or Pennsylvania.

Brent Mulrooney, Democrat

I have three priorities as your future representative in the state legislature. First, we need to lower electricity prices. I have a clear plan to get us there that will be bipartisan. This plan will have minimal cost for the state of Maryland and will continue to protect our environment while increasing electricity production in the state. Secondly, I want to work with our teachers and department of education to improve education in Maryland and enable success for our young people as they join the workforce. Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to show that our elected officials can and should be servants to the people by limiting corruption. As a veteran and longtime service member, I believe we can bring integrity to the state legislature and use prudence in the spending of any dollar.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 31 DELEGATE

Joan Barone Cole, Democrat

Affordability: Marylanders are facing rising costs for housing, healthcare, food, utilities and transportation. I will fight for practical solutions that help families stay rooted in their communities — including expanding affordable housing, protecting renters and homeowners, supporting well-paying jobs and workforce development, and delivering targeted tax relief. I support closing corporate tax loopholes and making essential goods and services more affordable.

Education: Strong public schools are the foundation of Maryland’s future. I support the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future while ensuring every dollar reaches classrooms, students and teachers. My priorities include teacher retention, smaller class sizes, early childhood supports and preparing students for college, careers and skilled trades.

Public Safety: Keeping District 31 safe requires more than enforcement. I support safer roadway design, traffic calming and pedestrian protections, especially along dangerous corridors like Mountain Road and Fort Smallwood Road. I also support community-based violence prevention, secure firearm storage, mental health resources and meaningful accountability that builds trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Brian Chisholm, Republican

(Incumbent)

If reelected in November, my top three priorities will remain focused on making Maryland more affordable for families, seniors and businesses.

First, I will continue fighting to reduce energy costs by expanding reliable, affordable power generation and rolling back failed policies that have driven utility bills higher.

Second, I will work to lower taxes, fees and unnecessary regulations that make it more expensive to live, work and raise a family in Maryland. Government must live within its means rather than continually asking taxpayers to pay more.

Third, I will promote small-business growth by removing barriers, encouraging investment, and creating an environment where entrepreneurs can start, expand and create well-paying jobs.

Marylanders and District 31 deserve an economy that provides greater opportunity and a government that works to make life more affordable, not more expensive.

Mike Jacobs, Republican

1. Affordability: Prices have increased recently in Maryland, including utilities and registrations. I would work on relief.
2. Traffic: Ever-growing communities and commercial development have put a major burden on our roads. We need to be more responsible and not build on every parcel of land.
3. Safety: We are seeing more and more crimes in our communities that are not being addressed. Our first responders need our respect and support.

LaToya Nkongolo, Republican

(Incumbent)

I am honored to serve as state delegate for District 31. When I retain my seat in November, my priorities will remain focused on lowering the cost of living, strengthening education, protecting our communities, and ensuring government works for the people.

First, I will continue to fight to lower the cost of living. I sponsored and passed HB606, providing a tax deferment for eligible public health service workers in Anne Arundel County. I will also propose an angel investor tax incentive to attract investment, create jobs, and grow Maryland’s economy.

Second, I will champion education, including financial literacy at every grade level. I am proud to have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to District 31 students. I also supported legislation to increase the scholarship amount for our student member of the Board of Education.

Third, as deputy minority whip of the House Judiciary Committee, I will continue to fight for safe communities by supporting law enforcement and addressing behavioral health challenges.

Heidi Buchanan Schmidt, Democrat

If elected, my top three priorities will be:

Fighting for quality education for every student: We need policies that offer real support for teachers, rather than those that undermine them, and that support access to services that meet kids where they are, especially our most vulnerable learners.

Supporting our small business community by cutting red tape and fees so it’s easier for businesses to start, grow and stay in Maryland: As an entrepreneur, I know small businesses are the backbone of our economy and a key driver of Maryland’s future.

Finding practical solutions to make Marylanders’ lives more affordable, including lowering taxes and lowering the cost of childcare, housing, electricity and healthcare for working families and our retirees: Families shouldn’t have to choose between opportunity and stability as the cost of living increases.

Ryan Shaban, Democrat

The Voice could not reach Ryan Shaban before the deadline.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 33 SENATOR

Dawn Gile, Democrat

(Incumbent)

If re-elected, my top priority will be making Maryland more affordable for working families. That means continuing to fight rising utility costs, lowering healthcare and insurance expenses, addressing the cost of housing and childcare, and making Maryland a more affordable place to raise a family and retire.

Second, I will continue working to strengthen our public schools and keep students safe. As both a parent and legislator, I have fought for strong school funding, supported our educators, and passed legislation to improve how schools respond to allegations of child sexual abuse. Every child deserves an excellent education in a safe environment.

Third, I will continue working to protect the Chesapeake Bay and the quality of life we value in Anne Arundel County. That means reducing pollution, protecting our waterways, preserving open space, and ensuring Maryland remains a leader in restoring the bay for future generations.

District 33 is politically diverse, and I will continue listening, working across party lines, and focusing on practical solutions that make a difference in people’s lives.

Amy Leahy, Republican

After 35 years in Severna Park and serving Anne Arundel County in budgets, recreation and parks, and constituent services, I've seen how government burdens families. I'll fight to roll back massive fee increases on vehicle, boat and trailer registrations, and will oppose new burdens like the FAMLI Act's mandatory payroll tax that takes effect January 1, 2027, and forces both employees and employers to fund a paid-leave account through every paycheck.

If elected, my top three priorities will be to Make Maryland Affordable Again and account for how the government spends your money. I will work to fix Maryland's energy policy. Instead of green energy mandates that require billions in new power lines to import electricity from Pennsylvania, I'll push to invest in nuclear and in-state fossil fuel production, so reliable, lower-cost energy is something Maryland controls, not imports.

I will work to restore honest representation in Annapolis. I've testified against the governor's bill to eliminate Maryland's only Republican congressional seat, which Democrats — including Dawn Gile — prioritized over legislation to lower electric bills. I'll hold Annapolis accountable.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 33B DELEGATE

Chuck Cook, Democrat

We have watched as Route 3, Benfield Boulevard, General’s Highway and I-97 have become jam-packed with no relief in sight. I plan on working with our federal partners and local officials to improve traffic flow, build pedestrian walkways, and upgrade our infrastructure so we aren’t stuck in traffic twice daily.

Our energy costs are through the roof. As your next delegate, I want to rein in BGE, reverse rate increases, and force data center developers who want to come to Maryland to pay for their own energy supply and transmission costs. Their costs should never show up on our electric bills.

Drug costs are out of control. The creation of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board was a good start, but now we need to push the board to add upper payment limits on more prescriptions in Maryland. We need to change the law so that if Medicare has established a maximum price for a drug, then that price should also apply to everyone in Maryland, whether they are on Medicare or not.

Stuart Schmidt, Jr., Republican

(Incumbent)

Affordability, especially housing, is my top priority. As a licensed, practicing Realtor, I see firsthand what Maryland’s younger working families face. They struggle to afford rent or purchase a home and get ahead, leaving them without a clear path to homeownership and the American Dream. When Annapolis pushed sweeping housing policies, I fought to ensure school capacity and impacts on existing communities were not ignored. We can build more housing without overwhelming communities with already-overcrowded schools.

Accountability matters. Government agencies must be transparent about where taxpayer dollars are spent and what results they produce. We should manage government with the same discipline as a small business, with people in mind and a clear, measurable bottom line.

Unaffiliated voters deserve a voice. I co-sponsored legislation (HB496) allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections, and I will continue advocating for it. Their numbers are growing because many are tired of the two-party system. Giving them a voice will encourage more candidates to represent Maryland’s political middle, not the extremes of either party.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 33C DELEGATE

Heather Bagnall, Democrat

(Incumbent)

Recently appointed chair of the Health Committee, when re-elected I will continue the essential work we have done to improve our behavioral health system, to further provide access to patient-centered, quality healthcare that puts patient and provider needs ahead of profit, and to attract and retain world-class health providers while keeping the residents of District 33C at the forefront of my work.

My top priorities are health, public education, and traffic mitigation and safety. Health: Ensuring the stability and sustainability of our healthcare network, which serves Marylanders at every age and stage of life while incentivizing innovation and rewarding better health outcomes. Education: Make the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future sustainable while delivering a greater return on our investment and providing flexibility for counties to address the unintended consequence of oversized classes. Traffic: Address congestion on Route 2, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Route 50; address unsafe crosswalks and intersections; and fund and support our emergency services.

Serving our community is a privilege I don’t take for granted.

Kristin Norris, Republican

The Voice could not reach Kristin Norris before the deadline.