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State Senator · Legislative District 36 · 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 raceJohn Queen is a community organizer and consultant based in Chestertown, Maryland, who announced his candidacy for State Senator in District 36 on March 10, 2026. He describes himself as a 'community builder' dedicated to bringing Eastern Shore communities together through collaboration and equity initiatives. His background includes serving as president of Bayside HOYAS, chairman of the Black Union of Kent County, and chairing the Equity Advisory Committee for the Town of Chestertown. Queen emphasizes his mission to transform the community into one where all citizens are valued and thrive, focusing on programs like college preparation intervention and food distribution outreach. He plans a 90-day district engagement effort involving structured conversations and roundtables to identify coordination gaps and policy solutions.
Sources: Campaign website
Education
Developing programs like CPIP for 6th/7th graders to prepare for college and life after high school, helping students build academic abilities and leadership skills.
“In response, as CFO and Director of Transportation, I helped to develop a new program for 6th and 7th grade students from Kent County Middle School, 'College Preparation Intervention Program' or CPIP, designed to help students build up their academic abilities and leadership skills, as they prepare for college and life after high school.”
Community Development
Developed Chestertown Unites Against Racism, a 16-month program to educate on race relations history and pursue legislative reforms addressing systemic racism.
“With the support of the former mayor, I developed Chestertown Unites Against Racism, a comprehensive, 16-month program designed with three goals— to educate the community about its history pertaining to race relations, pursue legislative reforms that address systemic racism in the Town of Chestertown, and promote unity, equality, and inclusivity amongst all residents.”
Economic Development
Helping local businesses or initiatives that need guidance, focus, and leadership through consulting services to create transformative change across diverse populations.
“As a consultant or program manager through my business, ALLIED SHORE SOLUTIONS , I bring that expertise and passion to the table, helping to find ways for your organization or initiative to create transformative change across diverse populations.”
Healthcare
Campaign emphasizes practical cooperation across education systems, workforce development, healthcare access, housing, agriculture, and small business development.
“The campaign will emphasize practical cooperation across education systems, workforce development, healthcare access, housing, agriculture, and small business development across the Eastern Shore.”
External coverage notes that Queen announced his campaign with a gathering in Chestertown on March 19, 2026, to introduce a district-wide engagement initiative focused on strengthening cooperation across Eastern Shore counties and institutions. A news comment questions how he defines 'community leader' given the term used in the announcement article. The filing environment is described as more competitive than expected due to late candidate entries shaking up legislative races.
“College Preparation Intervention Program... designed to help students build up their academic abilities and leadership skills, as they prepare for college and life after high school.”
Source“transform our community into one which all Blacks are valued, and thrive economically and culturally by creating policies, programs and projects that lean toward bringing that vision to reality.”
Source“I am proud to provide my consulting services to local businesses or initiatives that need guidance, focus, and leadership.”
Source“The campaign will emphasize practical cooperation across education systems, workforce development, healthcare access...”
Source“The campaign will emphasize practical cooperation across education systems, workforce development, healthcare access, housing, agriculture, and small business development...”
Source“At the Bayside HOYAS, we work to promote academic excellence, positive character development, and civic responsibility among secondary school age youth...”
Source“This group is designed to take a in-depth look into the five issues that plaque the Black community: police genocide, miseducation, gentrification, access to wealth and mass incarceration.”
Source