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State Senator · Legislative District 39 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
Maryland State Senators represent their local districts in the General Assembly, where they propose and vote on laws covering issues like education, transportation, and public safety. They are responsible for approving the state’s annual budget and have the unique power to confirm or reject the Governor’s appointments for judges and agency leaders. This office is critical because its decisions determine how state tax dollars are spent and which policies govern your local community.
View all candidates in this raceAmar Mukunda is a 32-year-old engineer and entrepreneur from Germantown seeking the Democratic nomination for Maryland State Senator in District 39. Raised by immigrant parents who faced bankruptcy, he served as a combat engineer in the US Army Reserve and worked at Roca to prevent gun violence and addiction. He aims to reclaim democracy, lower costs of living, ensure safe schools, and address AI and climate challenges. Mukunda emphasizes diverse values and faith, noting his family's journey from war-torn regions to America. He previously ran for House of Delegates but shifted focus to the Senate due to frustration with leadership regarding redistricting and power dynamics.
Sources: Campaign website
Democracy
Ban ICE in schools/churches, ban corporate money in politics, make primaries open to all, end gerrymandering.
“"Keep ICE out of Schools and Churches: Maryland must protect all sensitive locations... Ban Corporate Money in Politics... Make Primaries Open to All"”
Affordability
Universal healthcare, affordable childcare/eldercare, tax cuts for seniors up to $60k exemption, lower HOA fees.
“"Universal Healthcare: By taking the best ideas from reforms in states like Connecticut and Massachusetts... Tax Cuts for Seniors: Other states don’t tax retirement income like pensions and IRAs—Maryland should exempt all retirement income up to $60,000."”
Education
Ban convertible pistols in schools, fix school culture, prepare kids for AI world, vocational training.
“"Guarantee Gun-Free, World-Class Schools... Prepare Our Kids For An AI World: It’s time for our schools to rethink evaluations where learning can be skipped with AI."”
Infrastructure
Get the UpCounty Moving (metro, rail), extend Red Line Germantown, fix parking.
“"Get the UpCounty Moving: From Gaithersburg to Clarksburg we spend our lives on 270. It’s unacceptable... Extend the Red Line Germantown"”
Environment
Meet challenges of AI & Climate, World’s First Clean Energy Opportunity Zones.
“"Meet the Challenges of Our Time — AI & Climate. Let’s accelerate decarbonization and create a new base of employment..."”
Immigration
Keep ICE out of schools, ban masking by ICE agents, immigrants are patriots.
“"For Amar, Immigrants are Patriots. Amar’s parents are immigrants from Pakistan and India... Keep ICE out of Schools and Churches"”
Government Ethics
Ban corporate money in politics, no lobbyists, reclaim democracy.
“"We have to say No Kings, No Oligarchs, & No Lobbyists. We have to elect a new kind of leadership... Ban Corporate Money in Politics"”
Youth
Bring young men back to Democratic Party, youth are non-negotiable, Roca program work.
“"Bring Young Men Back to the Democratic Party: Our party has lost the support of young men... For Amar, Youth are Non-Negotiable"”
Seniors
Tax cuts for seniors exempting retirement income up to $60k.
“"Tax Cuts for Seniors: Other states don’t tax retirement income like pensions and IRAs—Maryland should exempt all retirement income up to $60,000."”
Bethesda Magazine reports that Amar Mukunda filed to challenge veteran Sen. Nancy King in District 39 after dropping out of his House of Delegates bid. He cited frustration with Senate leadership and opposition to redistricting efforts by Governor Wes Moore and Speaker Adrienne Jones as reasons for the shift. King expressed surprise at the news but acknowledged it was his right to run.
“"Guarantee Gun-Free, World-Class Schools... Prepare Our Kids For An AI World"”
Source“"Keep our schools and communities safe. Maryland must ban convertible pistols"”
Source“"Get the UpCounty Moving... Extend the Red Line Germantown"”
Source“"Meet the Challenges of Our Time — AI & Climate. Let’s accelerate decarbonization"”
Source“"Make the American Dream Affordable... Tax Cuts for Seniors: Other states don’t tax retirement income like pensions and IRAs—Maryland should exempt all retirement income up to $60,000."”
Source“"For Amar, Immigrants are Patriots... Keep ICE out of Schools and Churches"”
Source“"We have to say No Kings, No Oligarchs, & No Lobbyists. Ban Corporate Money in Politics"”
Source“"Bring Young Men Back to the Democratic Party... For Amar, Youth are Non-Negotiable"”
Source“"Tax Cuts for Seniors: Other states don’t tax retirement income like pensions and IRAs—Maryland should exempt all retirement income up to $60,000."”
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