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House of Delegates Member · Legislative District 12A · 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 raceJoshua M. Heard is a lawyer and former public defender running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 12A. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia as one of six children with parents who were a pastor and teacher, instilling values of faith, service, and education. After earning degrees from Howard University and Hofstra University, he worked in both public defense and county government before passing the New York Bar in 2020. He emphasizes empathy, integrity, and listening to residents as core principles for his campaign. His platform focuses on affordable housing, healthcare access, education funding, and government transparency.
Sources: Campaign website
"Change starts close to home, with empathy in our hearts, integrity in our actions, and faith in one another."
"I believe progress starts with people and it begins when we lead with empathy, act with integrity, and never forget who we serve."
"No Marylander should ever have to choose between their health and their financial security."
Source: joshuaheardfordelegate.com
Affordable Housing
Proposes reasonable guardrails on large-scale investors purchasing single-family homes and apartment complexes without banning investment outright. Includes establishing annual purchase caps, a 'First Opportunity' period for homebuyers, and increased transparency in property ownership.
“"Put families first. Place reasonable guardrails on large-scale investors purchasing single-family homes and apartment complexes — without banning investment outright — to prevent excessive ownership concentration."”
Healthcare
Aims to expand the behavioral health workforce through loan forgiveness and tuition support, enforce true insurance parity for mental health care, and protect reproductive healthcare access in Maryland law.
“"Expand Maryland's behavioral health workforce through loan forgiveness, tuition support, fair reimbursement rates, and streamlined licensing pathways."”
Education
Plans to fully fund the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, raise teacher pay, expand universal pre-K, and ensure mental health counselors are available in every school.
“"Fully fund the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and ensure accountability for how funds are spent. Raise teacher pay so educators can focus on their students — not on working second jobs to make ends meet."”
Government Transparency
Committed to opening the books, restoring public trust, and making decision-making accessible by requiring agencies to maintain publicly searchable online databases of budgets and contracts.
“"I'll fight to open the books, restore public trust, and make decision-making accessible to every resident."”
Public Safety
Advocates for de-escalation training for all officers, expanding civilian oversight boards with real authority, and deploying mental health response teams for nonviolent crises.
“"Require de-escalation and crisis intervention training for all officers. Expand civilian oversight boards with real authority and community representation."”
Economic Opportunity
Proposes investing in small business incubators, expanding green job training, tying the minimum wage to inflation, and strengthening union rights.
“"Invest in small business incubators and grant programs for minority- and women-owned startups. Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace with the cost of living."”
Climate Resilience
Committed Maryland to 100% clean energy by 2035, funding stormwater management in overburdened communities, and enforcing environmental justice standards.
“"Commit Maryland to 100% clean energy by 2035. Fund stormwater management and pollution cleanup in overburdened communities."”
Civil Rights & Equity
Plans to strengthen local human rights offices, support returning citizens with job training and record expungement, and advance pay transparency laws.
“"Strengthen and expand local human rights offices to handle housing, employment, and policing complaints effectively. Support returning citizens with job training, housing access, and record expungement."”
“"Put families first. Place reasonable guardrails on large-scale investors purchasing single-family homes and apartment complexes — without banning investment outright — to prevent excessive ownership concentration."”
Source“"No Marylander should ever have to choose between their health and their financial security."”
Source“"Fully fund the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and ensure accountability for how funds are spent. Raise teacher pay so educators can focus on their students — not on working second jobs to make ends meet."”
Source“"I'll fight to open the books, restore public trust, and make decision-making accessible to every resident."”
Source“"Require de-escalation and crisis intervention training for all officers. Expand civilian oversight boards with real authority and community representation."”
Source“"Invest in small business incubators and grant programs for minority- and women-owned startups. Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace with the cost of living."”
Source“"Commit Maryland to 100% clean energy by 2035. Fund stormwater management and pollution cleanup in overburdened communities."”
Source“"Strengthen and expand local human rights offices to handle housing, employment, and policing complaints effectively. Support returning citizens with job training, housing access, and record expungement."”
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