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State Senator · Legislative District 5 · 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 raceJustin Ready is a Republican serving as Maryland State Senator for District 5, representing Carroll and Frederick Counties. He was elected to his first full-term in 2018 after being appointed during the previous term and currently serves on the Senate Finance Committee while holding the position of Senate Minority (Republican) Whip starting October 2021. Growing up in Carroll County from Mississippi at age 11, Ready graduated from Salisbury University via Carroll Community College and has worked as staff in the Maryland General Assembly, self-employed with a small business, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, one term in the Maryland House of Delegates for District 5, and currently works as a regional sales strategist. He lives in Manchester with his wife Ruth, a music teacher in Carroll County Public Schools, and their two children Brooklyn and Caleb. Ready believes bringing down the cost of living, supporting strong families, and respecting Constitutional rights must be top priorities for Maryland.
Sources: Campaign website
After decades of failed liberal leadership in Annapolis, Maryland desperately needs change.
As your Senator, Justin knows it's his responsibility to watch every dollar that is spent. It's your money, and he's committed to ensuring it's being spent wisely.
Every Maryland citizen has a Constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms.
Maryland is Ready for Change.
Source: justinready.com
Fiscal Policy
Eliminating wasteful spending and defunding programs that are not working while ensuring government does its key jobs well
“Putting an End to Wasteful Spending As your Senator, Justin knows it's his responsibility to watch every dollar that is spent. It's your money, and he's committed to ensuring it's being spent wisely.”
Criminal Justice
Protecting Second Amendment rights and fighting against legislation limiting law-abiding citizens' rights while targeting criminals who use illegally obtained firearms
“Justin is a strong supporter of 2nd Amendment rights, and has led the fight against legislation like 2023's SB 1 which limits law-abiding citizens rights to utilize wear and carry permits instead of targeting criminals who use illegally obtained firearms”
Agriculture
Preserving Maryland's agricultural economy by addressing estate tax issues that force farmers to sell land rather than pass it on to children
“Justin's proud to have co-sponsored legislation to re-couple the Maryland estate tax to the federal estate tax. This is one of the most important issues facing family farms because Maryland taxes estates at a different level and forces farmers and business owners to keep two sets of books on depreciation of equipment and property value.”
Tax Policy
Reducing the tax burden for everyone including efforts to re-couple estate tax to federal standards
“Maryland's high taxes and unwillingness to be flexible have hit agriculture hard. You can't say you support family farms, but support taking away development rights entirely which diminishes the land's value.”
“Putting an End to Wasteful Spending As your Senator, Justin knows it's his responsibility to watch every dollar that is spent.”
Source“Every Maryland citizen has a Constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms. Gun ownership is not just about hunting, and Marylanders deserve a government that understands and respects that fact.”
Source“Justin's proud to have co-sponsored legislation to re-couple the Maryland estate tax to the federal estate tax. This is one of the most important issues facing family farms.”
Source“Reducing the Tax Burden for Everyone - Maryland's high taxes and unwillingness to be flexible have hit agriculture hard.”
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