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House of Delegates Member · Legislative District 18 · 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 raceKate Stein is a candidate for Maryland House of Delegates District 18 running on a platform centered around economic security, social infrastructure, and policy choices that ensure dignity for all residents. She comes from a working-class background in St. Louis where her family lived with limited resources including hand-me-down clothes and bread bags over their feet in the snow. Raised by a father who worked his way up from JC Penney to earn a brokerage license and a mother who was a teacher, she experienced firsthand how families struggle when one health crisis or missed paychecks threatens financial stability. After her mother's passing following multiple health crises including kidney loss, ovarian surgery, and neurological illness that left her blind before regaining partial vision, Stein became an advocate for caregiving support systems. She has worked in entry-level and service jobs, corporate America, the public sector as a bookseller and consultant, and served as a soccer coach, volunteer, policy advocate, grassroots organizer, and caregiver.
Sources: Campaign website
"working hard is not enough — and that the gap between effort and security is a policy choice, not a personal failing."
"Caregivers deserve a system of support for the essential work that they do—not a patchwork of charity that only kicks in when you have spent down your savings."
"My ordinary experiences and my own struggles as an employee, a parent, a daughter, a neighbor, a friend, a commissioner, a volunteer are the foundation of my platform."
"I know what it takes to move ideas into law. Now I'm asking for the seat to do more."
"a decent society requires an economic floor and a social infrastructure — care, housing, health, education, and work with dignity."
Source: katesteind18.com
Caregiver Support
Kate proposes a unified caregiver program that integrates childcare, elder care, and disability support, arguing caregivers deserve meaningful support not just charity-based patchwork systems.
“"I have been the caregiver and the one who needed care. I am running to build the systems that make both possible with dignity." and "Caregivers deserve a system of support for the essential work that they do—not a patchwork of charity that only kicks in when you have spent down your savings."”
Education
She advocates for public schools to be good enough for every child, with enough teachers and resources to meet individual needs, plus public pre-K and school nutrition.
“"Public schools must be good enough for every child who walks through the door with enough teachers and resources to meet their individual needs. We must arm our students to design and build the future. We need public pre-K and school nutrition for every family who want them."”
Housing
Kate supports housing stability for all neighbors including renters and owners, with fast-tracked middle-class housing development.
“"All our neighbors—renters and owners—deserve housing stability. We need to fast track the middle-class housing and the green energy we want, to bring people and businesses to Maryland."”
Healthcare
She argues no employee should have to choose between a paycheck and healthcare for their kids.
“"No employee should have to choose between a paycheck and healthcare for their kids and the right to speak and protest, legally, when they are not at work."”
Worker Protections
Kate supports worker free speech protections and opposes letting Unemployment Insurance modernization quietly die.
“"Some support a second year of cuts to the DDA. Some are willing to let Unemployment Insurance modernization and worker free speech protections quietly die. Others just haven't fought hard enough."”
Infrastructure
She advocates for accessible housing, public spaces, mass transit, clean energy, and ensuring built community is accessible to everyone including those in wheelchairs or with strollers.
“"Let's invest in our infrastructure with accessible housing and public spaces, mass transit and clean energy." and "Ensure that our built community is accessible to everyone—including those in wheelchairs or with strollers."”
Innovation Economy
Kate wants Maryland to build an innovation economy less dependent on Federal government, making room for everyone through biotech and green manufacturing investment.
“"Let's be a beacon for investment in both biotech and green manufacturing. An Innovation Economy No employee should have to choose between a paycheck and healthcare for their kids."”
“"Public schools must be good enough for every child who walks through the door with enough teachers and resources to meet their individual needs. We need public pre-K and school nutrition for every family who want them."”
Source“"All our neighbors—renters and owners—deserve housing stability. We need to fast track the middle-class housing and the green energy we want, to bring people and businesses to Maryland."”
Source“"No employee should have to choose between a paycheck and healthcare for their kids and the right to speak and protest, legally, when they are not at work."”
Source“"Let's invest in our infrastructure with accessible housing and public spaces, mass transit and clean energy."”
Source“"Programs that allow seniors and people with disabilities to fully participate in our community Ensure that our built community is accessible to everyone—including those in wheelchairs or with strollers"”
Source“"We need public pre-K and school nutrition for every family who want them. Schools and Skills Built for the Present and Future"”
Source“"I have worked in entry-level and service jobs, in corporate America and the public sector, as a bookseller and a consultant. I have also done the work that holds communities together —as a soccer coach and a volunteer, a policy advocate and a grassroots organizer, and as a caregiver."”
Source