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Governor · Maryland · 2026 Primary
The Governor serves as Maryland’s chief executive, overseeing the state government's daily operations and managing executive agencies. This official proposes the annual state budget and has the power to sign or veto legislation passed by the General Assembly. The Governor also appoints the heads of state departments and fills vacancies in the state judiciary.
View all candidates in this raceEd Hale is a lifelong Marylander born in Highlandtown and raised in Sparrows Point who built a career as a successful businessman in shipping, banking, and real estate through ventures at the Bank of Baltimore and First Mariner. He describes himself not as a career politician but as a results-driven leader frustrated with Governor Wes Moore's national ambitions leaving Marylanders behind, prompting his switch from Democrat to Republican to run for governor in 2026. His platform focuses on putting Maryland first by stopping economic decline, reducing taxes and fees, fixing infrastructure like roads and bridges, and empowering key pillars including small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers. He emphasizes pragmatic solutions over "stupid party politics" and aims to leave a stronger state for the next generation without national spectacle. On his campaign website, he states that donations are an investment in revitalizing Maryland and a deposit towards firing corrupt Annapolis politicians. He notes that every collapsed bridge reminds residents of government failure under special interests.
Sources: Campaign website
"Help is on the way!"
"Ed Hale is a lifelong Marylander born in Highlandtown, where he grew up in a blue-collar family and learned the value of hard work."
"He's not a career politician—he's a results-driven leader frustrated with the current direction under Governor Wes Moore, whose national ambitions have left Marylanders behind."
"No national spectacle, just Maryland first."
"A donation to Ed Hale for Governor isn't just a campaign contribution. It's an investment in revitalizing Maryland and a deposit towards firing corrupt Annapolis politicians."
Source: haleforgov.com
Fiscal Policy
Immediate stops to shocks like property taxes and utility rates; prioritize spending cuts over hikes to tackle the deficit without big government dependence.
“"Freeze and Reduce Fees : Immediate stops to shocks like property taxes and utility rates; prioritize spending cuts over hikes to tackle the deficit without big government dependence."”
Economic Development
Make Maryland competitive again through reducing the tax burden on our workers and small businesses, streamlined regulations for entrepreneurs, and infrastructure investments.
“"Revive Local Businesses : Make Maryland competitive again through reducing the tax burden on our workers and small businesses, streamlined regulations for entrepreneurs, and infrastructure investments to fix roads, bridges, and traffic delays—revitalizing our key commercial areas across the state."”
Infrastructure
Invest in fixing roads, bridges, and traffic delays to revitalize key commercial areas across the state.
“"infrastructure investments to fix roads, bridges, and traffic delays—revitalizing our key commercial areas across the state."”
Public Safety
Ensure public safety for everyday Marylanders as a core pillar of his leadership.
“"He's running to empower Maryland's business community, stop economic decline, ensure public safety, support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
Government Ethics
Commitment to fighting corruption in Annapolis by framing donations as a deposit towards firing corrupt politicians.
“"A donation to Ed Hale for Governor isn't just a campaign contribution. It's an investment in revitalizing Maryland and a deposit towards firing corrupt Annapolis politicians."”
Small Business
Empower the business community by reducing tax burdens and supporting entrepreneurs.
“"He's running to empower Maryland's business community... support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
Education
Supporting teachers as a key pillar of the state alongside other groups.
“"support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
“"Freeze and Reduce Fees : Immediate stops to shocks like property taxes and utility rates; prioritize spending cuts over hikes to tackle the deficit without big government dependence."”
Source“"Revive Local Businesses : Make Maryland competitive again through reducing the tax burden on our workers and small businesses, streamlined regulations for entrepreneurs."”
Source“"infrastructure investments to fix roads, bridges, and traffic delays—revitalizing our key commercial areas across the state."”
Source“"He's running to empower Maryland's business community, stop economic decline, ensure public safety, support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
Source“"A donation to Ed Hale for Governor isn't just a campaign contribution. It's an investment in revitalizing Maryland and a deposit towards firing corrupt Annapolis politicians."”
Source“"He's running to empower Maryland's business community... support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
Source“"support key pillars like small businesses, farmers, emergency responders, and teachers."”
Source