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State Senator · Legislative District 2 · 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 raceEric Martin Van Buren is a candidate for the Maryland State Senate representing Washington County. A certified paralegal, mediator, and behavioral therapist, Van Buren describes his background as one "shaped by second chances" and has spent years working in prisons, reentry spaces, and community rooms. He is the founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation and states that he is running because he has lived the consequences of "broken systems" and wants to fix them. His platform focuses on public safety, local job creation through energy and infrastructure projects, and government accountability. Van Buren emphasizes a "people-powered" approach, seeking to give working families, returning citizens, and faith communities a direct voice in government decision-making.
Sources: Campaign website
“I’m running because I have lived the consequences of broken systems—and I have dedicated my life to fixing them. I was once counted out. Today, I stand as a certified paralegal, certified mediator, certified behavioral therapist, founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation, and a man who has spent years working in prisons, reentry spaces, churches, and community rooms helping others rebuild their lives.”
“Safety should prevent harm before it happens and protect rights when it does. That means combining constitutional policing with real investment in mental health, youth opportunity, and addiction treatment.”
“New infrastructure and energy funding should create jobs for Washington County residents, lower utility costs, and build training pipelines that keep opportunity here at home.”
“Too many people feel locked out of decision-making. This campaign is about making sure working families, small businesses, returning citizens, and faith communities have a real voice in how resources are allocated.”
“Last election, we didn’t lose… we just didn’t show up.”
Source: elect-ericvanburen.org
Public Safety With Dignity
Focuses on preventing harm and protecting rights through constitutional policing and investments in social services.
“That means combining constitutional policing with real investment in mental health, youth opportunity, and addiction treatment.”
Local Jobs & Energy
Utilizing infrastructure and energy funding to support local employment and reduce resident costs.
“New infrastructure and energy funding should create jobs for Washington County residents, lower utility costs, and build training pipelines that keep opportunity here at home.”
Accountable Government
Ensuring community members have a voice in resource allocation and holding power accountable through oversight.
“This campaign is about making sure working families, small businesses, returning citizens, and faith communities have a real voice in how resources are allocated.”
External reporting on the 2026 Maryland General Assembly races indicates that the District 2 state Senate contest is a contested race involving a challenge to the Republican incumbent. Media coverage highlights that nearly all legislative seats in the Frederick and Washington County areas feature both Democratic and Republican candidates for the upcoming election cycle.
“Safety should prevent harm before it happens and protect rights when it does.”
Source“I stand as a... founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation, and a man who has spent years working in prisons, reentry spaces... helping others rebuild their lives.”
Source“New infrastructure and energy funding should create jobs for Washington County residents”
Source“New infrastructure and energy funding should create jobs for Washington County residents, lower utility costs”
Source“This campaign is about restoring local voice, investing in our community, and making government answer to the people it serves.”
Source“This campaign is about making sure working families, small businesses, returning citizens, and faith communities have a real voice”
Source“real investment in mental health, youth opportunity, and addiction treatment.”
Source“This campaign is about making sure working families, small businesses, returning citizens, and faith communities have a real voice”
Source