Editor's Note: This story was originally posted just after the candidate filing deadline. It was updated on March 11, 2026, to reflect the deadline for central committees designating candidates for ballot vacancies.
The deadline to file as a candidate in the upcoming election has now passed, and a number of candidates have already effectively won their elections.
Dozens of races are essentially already decided, based on the number of candidates who have filed for the offices.
Topping that list is Attorney General Anthony Brown, who is seeking re-election and facing zero opponents. (UPDATE: Republican James B. Rutledge, III has been designated by the Central Committee to fill this vacancy.) Brown will face no opponents in the Democratic primary and only faces Rutledge in the general.
More than a third of the State Senate can rest easy heading into Election Day.
All of the candidates for these uncontested seats are currently held by incumbents. (UPDATE: In four of these races, the opposing party's central committee has designated a candidate to fill the vacancy. These have been denoted below with an asterisk (*) ahead of their name and a slightly smaller size.)
Just over one in 10 Delegates is in the same situation, where they are running uncontested. Some districts have more than one seat, so a seat is considered safe when the number of candidates equals the number of available seats. (UPDATE: Five of these candidates now face opponents. These have been denoted below with an asterisk (*) ahead of their name and a slightly smaller size.)
UPDATE: The Maryland Democratic Party had set a goal to have a candidate for every seat in the Maryland General Assembly.
Maryland Democratic Party Chair Steuart Pittman said in a statement on Wednesday, March 11, "This is about competing everywhere. For too long there were districts where Democrats did not always field candidates. That changes now."
Taking a closer look at some of our local county races:
Anne Arundel County
Only the Clerk of the Circuit Court race is uncontested, with MK Fowler as the only candidate who has filed.
UPDATE: The Republican Central Committee designated Douglas Finbar Graham as its candidate in the race. The winner will take over for the current clerk, Scott Poyer.
Following the designation deadline, all races in Anne Arundel County are contested in at least the general election.
Baltimore City
While the last election for Baltimore City State's Attorney was a lively three-way race in the Democratic primary, incumbent Ivan Bates faces no challengers from either side of the aisle to keep his seat.
Additionally, the Clerk of the Circuit Court race has only Xavier A. Conaway filed to retain his seat, and the three judges of the Orphans' Court, the Honorable Charles Bernstein, Lewyn Garrett, and Michele Loewenthal, will stay in their roles.
Following the designation deadline, the Baltimore City races remain unchanged.
Baltimore County
Three seats on the Board of Education are unchallenged: Jane Lichter in District 2, Brenda Hatcher-Savoy in District 4, and Julie Henn in District 5.
With the withdrawal of incumbent Judge Arthur Frank on Thursday, February 26, the three judges of the Orphans' Court also face no opposition. Judges Michelle Arvin-Greer and Juliet Fisher will retain their seats and will be joined by Andrew Bailey.
Following the designation deadline, the Baltimore County races remain unchanged.
Carroll County
The County Commissioner District 4 seat will remain with Michael R. Guerin.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Heather DeWees.
Following the designation deadline, the Carroll County races remain unchanged.
Cecil County
District 4's County Council seat is already decided, with Wayne L. Tom, Sr. as the only candidate in the running. He will take over for Donna Culberson, who currently holds the seat.
The only person on the ballot for State's Attorney in the County is incumbent James Dellmyer. The Register of Wills will be Amanda Pierce, taking over for Allyn "Lyn" Nickle, who withdrew her re-election filing on Tuesday, February 24.
And Grant Handley will join the Board of Education, representing District 5, taking over from Diana Hawley.
Following the designation deadline, the Cecil County races remain unchanged.
Frederick County
The only uncontested race in Frederick County is for State's Attorney, where Charlie Smith will keep his position.
Following the designation deadline, the Frederick County races remain unchanged.
Harford County
Another race for State's Attorney that has no opponents, Alison Healey will keep her role as the County's top prosecutor.
UPDATE: The Democratic Central Committee designated Shadé Bowman as a candidate to face incumbent Republican Michelle L. Karczeski for Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Following the designation deadline, the Harford County State's Attorney's race remains unchanged.
Howard County
Three elections in Howard County already have winners.
The State's Attorney will continue to be Rich Gibson, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Jen Terrasa, taking over for Wayne Robey, and the Sheriff will continue to be Marcus Harris.
Following the designation deadline, the Howard County races remain unchanged.
For more information on the Maryland 2026 elections, click here for the Maryland Elections website.
Election results will be certified on Friday, November 13.
Editor's Note: We have not included the Democratic or Republican Central Committee races in this article.