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State Senator · Legislative District 6 · 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 raceJohnny Ray Salling is a Republican member of the Maryland Senate representing the 6th district since 2015. Born and raised in Baltimore, he served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army before working as a steel worker and union representative for over 30 years at the Bethlehem Steel Mill. He entered politics following the closure of the mill in 2012, eventually winning his seat in a competitive general election. Salling is identified as a social conservative who frequently supports police funding and opposes recreational marijuana legalization. He has also been a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee and is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. During his tenure, he has sought to influence environmental legislation and infrastructure policy, including bills related to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Sources: Campaign website
Get rid of this illegal know!!!!!
[The closing of the Sparrows Point mill in 2012] moved him to run for public office.
[The pollution reduction goal is] too ambitious.
[The proposed redistricting map is] gerrymandered.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Public Safety
Supports additional funding and training for police departments and opposes defunding efforts.
“Salling supports providing police departments with additional funding and training and disagrees with calls to defund police departments and invest in community social services.”
Environment
Seeks to balance climate goals with what he considers realistic targets for pollution reduction.
“Salling introduced an amendment that would lower the bill's pollution reduction goal from 60 percent to 50 percent, contending that it was too ambitious.”
Immigration
Opposes policies that restrict local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“Salling opposed a bill to ban 287(g) program agreements in Maryland, saying that restrictions on the program could put communities at risk.”
Transportation & Infrastructure
Advocates for emergency management authority regarding critical infrastructure following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
“Salling and state senator Bryan Simonaire introduced a bill that would allow the governor to declare a year-long state of emergency after damage to critical infrastructure.”
External sources highlight a 2026 residency challenge by primary opponent Daniel Eisenhart, who alleges Salling actually resides in Timonium outside of his district boundaries. Salling has also faced criticism from the Council on American–Islamic Relations for a controversial tweet regarding U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, which he later suggested was the result of a hack. While described as a social conservative, some outlets note he occasionally votes with Democrats on workers' rights issues.
“Salling supports providing police departments with additional funding and training and disagrees with calls to defund police departments.”
Source“Salling introduced an amendment that would lower the bill's pollution reduction goal from 60 percent to 50 percent, contending that it was too ambitious.”
Source“Salling opposed a bill to ban 287(g) program agreements in Maryland, saying that restrictions on the program could put communities at risk.”
Source“Salling and state senator Bryan Simonaire introduced a bill that would allow the governor to declare a year-long state of emergency after damage to critical infrastructure.”
Source“Eisenhart officially filed his candidacy to take on MD State Senator Johnny Ray Salling... challenging Salling’s legal right to stand on the ballot [regarding residency].”
Source