Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
State Senator · Legislative District 41 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
This candidate has disqualified. Information below reflects their filing at the time of withdrawal.
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 raceAyo Kimathi is a candidate seeking election as State Senator for Maryland District 41. Born in the 1970s and raised in Southeast Washington, DC, he came of age under Mayor Marion Barry's leadership and directly benefited from the Summer Youth Employment Program. Since 2022, Kimathi has challenged bills at the legislature in Annapolis that he views as dangerous to Black institutions or parental rights. His campaign emphasizes breaking the cycle of displacement and disinvestment visible across Baltimore due to segregation and blockbusting. He advocates for real representation where residents have decision-making authority rather than just policy changes. Kimathi focuses on closing the racial wealth gap through deliberate investments in housing, schools, and employment led by affected communities. He positions himself as a 'Voice of Change' unafraid to speak up for underserved communities.
Sources: Campaign website
Housing
Kimathi argues that policy, real estate practices, and philanthropic decisions have shaped neighborhoods in ways that deeply harm Black communities, citing inflated property tax assessments and foreclosures.
“"Policy, real estate practices and philanthropic decisions have shaped neighborhoods in ways that deeply harm Black communities. Today the same dynamics continue under new forms such as 'highballing.'"”
Education
He highlights historical funding disparities where Black students received significantly less per pupil than their white counterparts and notes a lack of effective youth programs.
“"Schools labeled as integrated were often overcrowded and underfunded with Black students receiving 30-40% less funding per pupil. Ayo is appalled because so few effective youth programs exist in Baltimore city."”
Economic Development
Kimathi points to a racial wealth gap of $80,000 and calls for deliberate investments led by the communities most affected to close this disparity.
“"Studies confirm Black households continue to struggle with high vacancy rates... The city's future depends on breaking the cycle of displacement and disinvestment. Analysts argue that closing the city's racial wealth gap will require deliberate investments in housing, schools, and employment led by the communities most affected."”
Public Safety
He contends that crime is an outcome of political neglect rather than isolated problems, criticizing budgets that prioritize policing over prevention.
“"Crime and grime are not isolated problems, they are the visible outcomes of political neglect and economic inequality. Instead of addressing the root causes of poverty and blight, budgets prioritize policing over prevention."”
“"Schools labeled as integrated were often overcrowded and underfunded with Black students receiving 30-40% less funding per pupil."”
Source“"Policy, real estate practices and philanthropic decisions have shaped neighborhoods in ways that deeply harm Black communities."”
Source“"The city's future depends on breaking the cycle of displacement and disinvestment."”
Source“"Instead of addressing the root causes of poverty and blight, budgets prioritize policing over prevention."”
Source