Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
House of Delegates Member · Legislative District 22 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
Members of the Maryland House of Delegates represent their local districts in the state legislature by proposing, debating, and voting on laws that impact public education, healthcare, and transportation. They work alongside the state Senate to pass Maryland’s annual budget and determine how tax dollars are allocated to community services and infrastructure projects. This office is vital because delegates shape the statewide policies and spending priorities that directly influence the daily lives of all residents.
View all candidates in this raceCraig Hayes is an electoral reform advocate and grassroots organizer running for Maryland House of Delegates District 22 as a progressive Democrat. Born in Germany to an Irish immigrant father and U.S. Air Force service member, he was raised in Washington County, Maryland by grandparents who taught him music, played the alto saxophone, and instilled values of resilience, community service, and standing up for what is right. After his grandparents unexpectedly passed away due to failures in government and healthcare systems, Hayes vowed to champion reform so other families may not suffer similar loss. He graduated summa cum laude from Shippensburg University with a political science degree and has nearly two decades of experience organizing campaigns and working directly with elected officials and community leaders. Currently living in Hyattsville with his partner Teddy and their two rescue cats, he volunteers for nonprofits supporting vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Sources: Campaign website
"Electoral reform advocate | Grassroots organizer | Progressive Democrat Craig Hayes is running for Delegate because he believes our ongoing constitutional crisis needs a new generation of state leaders who are willing to propose bold policy solutions to not only protect but strengthen our democracy."
"I refuse to stand by idly while ICE prepares a massive operation to snatch my neighbors off the streets and send them across the state to an illegal detention center in the county where I was raised. In the fight against creeping fascism, we must not only protect but strengthen our democracy and declare that this heinous ideology has no quarter in the state of Maryland."
"Craig supports authorizing special elections for these vacancies so that Maryland voters always have a say in who represents them."
"We need better utility regulation coupled with green energy investments to make our homes, schools, and workplaces energy efficient and powered by renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and 'green' hydrogen."
Source: craighayes.com
Electoral Reform
Supports proportional ranked choice voting and special elections for legislative vacancies to give voters an impactful voice beyond zero-sum games. Believes up to 40% of counties' legislative representatives are initially selected by County Central Committee, which must change.
“"That is why he supports reforms like proportional ranked choice voting to give voters an impactful voice beyond the zero-sum game that our current system offers. When up to 40% of our counties' legislative representatives are initially selected for appointment to their seat by their respective County Central Committee, we must change the way we fill state legislative vacancies. Craig supports authorizing special elections for these vacancies so that Maryland voters always have a say in who represents them."”
Immigration
Continues fighting against ICE illegal and immoral actions by supporting legislation ending all 287(g) agreements, supporting the Community Trust Act, organizing against new facilities, and banning employees/firms associated with detention facility construction from state contracts.
“"Craig will continue to fight against the illegal and immoral actions of ICE by supporting legislation ending all 287(g) agreements, supporting the Community Trust Act , organizing against new facilities, and banning employees and firms associated with the conversion, construction, and/or operation of detention facilities from future employment or contracts with the state of Maryland."”
Living Wage
Supports passing a $25/hour state minimum wage indexed to inflation and banning dynamic and surveillance-based pricing by retailers.
“"Craig supports passing a $25/hour state minimum wage indexed to inflation so that we can get closer to achieving one fair living wage for all workers in Maryland. In addition, we must also address regressive retailer practices by banning dynamic and surveillance-based pricing ."”
Workers' Rights
Fights to protect and expand workers' rights to collectively bargain including binding arbitration, allowing educators/school staff/librarians to strike, and supporting project labor agreements on state-funded construction projects valued at $35 million or more.
“"He will fight to make Maryland affordable for all by protecting and expanding workers' rights to collectively bargain, including binding arbitration and allowing educators, school staff, and librarians to strike . He will support legislation requiring project labor agreements on state-funded construction projects , including those involving the Maryland Stadium Authority, valued at $35 million or more. This will help prevent wage theft and provide workers a safe and structured way to voice pay and safety concerns."”
Tax Policy
Supports closing corporate LLC loophole, increasing state capital gains tax, passing wealth tax on ultra-wealthy, empowering Comptroller's Office to crack down on tax fraud, and allowing variability in property tax rates.
“"We could achieve this by closing the corporate LLC loophole , increasing the state capital gains tax, passing a wealth tax on the ultra-wealthy, and empowering the Comptroller's Office with the personnel and resources to crack down on tax fraud and under-reporting by wealthy individuals and corporations. Craig also supports empowering local governments to raise additional revenue with progressive reforms that allow for variability in the property tax rate , like HB090 sponsored by Delegate Kris Fair."”
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All, adopting fee-for-service model to eliminate Medicaid middlemen and save taxpayer dollars, improving hospital ER wait times, and passing the Safe Staffing Act.
“"We must join our democratic contemporaries and pass Medicare for All . Craig supports adopting a fee-for-service model to eliminate the Medicaid middlemen and save taxpayer dollars. We must work to improve hospital ER wait times across the state and pass the Safe Staffing Act to protect Maryland patients and healthcare workers."”
Infrastructure
Wants to lower bus headways, install universal covered and lighted bus shelters, ban right turns on red, increase dedicated left turn signals, remove slip lanes from heavily populated areas, expand protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes, ensure ADA-compliant sidewalks especially in school zones.
“"Craig wants to improve our existing infrastructure by lowering bus headways and installing universal covered and lighted bus shelters to keep our commuters safe. District 22 is no stranger to vehicle accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians. Craig supports banning right turns on red and increasing the use of dedicated left turn signals. He will also advocate for the continued removal of slip lanes from heavily populated areas and the expansion of protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes. Access to safe sidewalks should not be decided by private property owner consensus. Craig will fight to ensure all neighborhoods have ADA-compliant sidewalks— especially in and around school zones."”
Transportation
Supports guardrails on autonomous vehicles including restricting self-driving trucks/buses, fully funding WMATA Metro and bus system.
“"Craig supports guardrails around the use of autonomous vehicles , including restricting the use of self-driving trucks and buses on Maryland roads. Your potential to thrive in Maryland should not be dictated by whether or not you can afford access to a vehicle. WMATA's Metro and bus system is the lifeblood of District 22 and expands our residents' access to schools, jobs, and recreation in an affordable way and must be fully funded!"”
Environment
Pursues 'all of the above' green energy strategy with better utility regulation coupled with green energy investments for renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and green hydrogen.
“"We need better utility regulation coupled with green energy investments to make our homes, schools, and workplaces energy efficient and powered by renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and 'green' hydrogen ."”
Constituent Services
Believes excellent constituent services are fundamental component of any elected office. Having managed constituent casework for congressional office, knows what it takes to make sure residents' issues find timely resolutions.
“"Craig believes that excellent constituent services are a fundamental component of any elected office. Having managed constituent casework for a congressional office, Craig knows what it takes to make sure residents' issues find timely resolutions."”
Voter Representation
Supports incorporated localities annexing precincts like 17-14 in unincorporated Hyattsville because all Prince Georgians deserve democratic representation and government services at every level.
“"Craig supports incorporated localities annexing precincts like 17-14 because he believes all Prince Georgians deserve democratic representation and government services at every level."”
The Greenbelt News Review article from April 9, 2026 previews the District 22 election as a race with four Democratic candidates competing for three available spots. Two current delegates—Anne Healey and Nicole Williams—are not seeking reelection, while Ashanti Martinez is the only incumbent on the ballot. The article provides candidate statements and biographies for Martinez and Tracy Gant (mayor of Edmonston), but does not include specific information about Craig Hayes beyond noting he is one of the four Democratic candidates running.
“"WMATA's Metro and bus system is the lifeblood of District 22 and expands our residents' access to schools, jobs, and recreation in an affordable way"”
Source“"As a renter, Craig understands the challenges everyday folks face when trying to find affordable housing for their families, and collusion should not be one of them"”
Source“"Craig supports guardrails around the use of autonomous vehicles , including restricting the use of self-driving trucks and buses on Maryland roads."”
Source“"Craig wants to improve our existing infrastructure by lowering bus headways and installing universal covered and lighted bus shelters to keep our commuters safe."”
Source“"We need better utility regulation coupled with green energy investments to make our homes, schools, and workplaces energy efficient and powered by renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and 'green' hydrogen ."”
Source“"We could achieve this by closing the corporate LLC loophole , increasing the state capital gains tax, passing a wealth tax on the ultra-wealthy"”
Source“"We must join our democratic contemporaries and pass Medicare for All . Craig supports adopting a fee-for-service model to eliminate the Medicaid middlemen"”
Source“"Craig wants to improve our existing infrastructure by lowering bus headways and installing universal covered and lighted bus shelters to keep our commuters safe."”
Source“"I refuse to stand by idly while ICE prepares a massive operation to snatch my neighbors off the streets and send them across the state to an illegal detention center in the county where I was raised."”
Source“"Craig also supports empowering local governments to raise additional revenue with progressive reforms that allow for variability in the property tax rate , like HB090 sponsored by Delegate Kris Fair."”
Source