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State Senator · Legislative District 9 · 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 raceKatie Fry Hester is a Maryland State Senator serving her first term who describes herself as an independent legislator prioritizing people over politics. With twenty years of prior experience in international development, she focuses on building partnerships that are good for business, the environment, and communities. Her platform emphasizes bipartisan collaboration to drive innovative solutions across key areas such as cybersecurity, healthcare affordability, education quality regardless of ZIP code, and economic competitiveness. She has secured state funding for flood prevention in Ellicott City and sponsored legislation regarding small business health coverage and student mental health support within the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
Sources: Campaign website
"Maryland ranks in the bottom half of states for economic competitiveness despite our high-quality workforce and access to capital."
"I promise that I will continue to stand up for women's rights in Annapolis"
"High-quality, affordable healthcare should be accessible and portable between jobs."
"Everyone deserves to live in an environment where they know their families are safe from crime and violence."
"I don't want us to lose another farm. We must continue to enable farmers to make a living on their land while protecting our environment and public health."
Source: katiefryhester.com
Economic Development
Attract new entrepreneurs to Maryland and invest in existing local businesses to unlock the full potential of our economy.
“"Maryland ranks in the bottom half of states for economic competitiveness despite our high-quality workforce and access to capital. We must attract new entrepreneurs to Maryland and invest in existing local businesses to unlock the full potential of our economy."”
Education
Ensure every child benefits from a world-class education regardless of their ZIP code, including teacher salary increases and smaller class sizes.
“"Our childrens' education defines our future as a community and nation. I want every child in Maryland to benefit from a world-class education — regardless of their ZIP code."”
Environment
Protect the environment while ensuring economic growth through clean air, water, energy, and sustainable development.
“"We all want clean air, clean water, and safe food. We want efficient and clean energy. We want smart and sustainable development. We CAN protect the environment and ensure economic growth at the same time."”
Healthcare
Provide high-quality, affordable healthcare that is accessible and portable between jobs, including insulin copay limits.
“"High-quality, affordable healthcare should be accessible and portable between jobs. Too many Marylanders lack adequate health insurance coverage and can't afford prescription medications — that is unacceptable."”
Agriculture
Enable farmers to make a living on their land while protecting the environment and public health.
“"I don't want us to lose another farm. We must continue to enable farmers to make a living on their land while protecting our environment and public health. By keeping our farms, we all win."”
Seniors
Support the 55+ community as an asset to Maryland's future and ensure they can age in place with dignity.
“"The 55+ community is a critical part of Maryland's legacy and an asset to our future. Everyone should be able to age in place as contributing community members with dignity and respect."”
Infrastructure
Lead the development and passage of the state's first comprehensive cybersecurity package to protect agencies from cyberattacks.
“"As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, and Biotechnology, I led the development and passage of the state's first comprehensive cybersecurity package to protect our state agencies, local governments, and all the data they hold from cyberattacks"”
Public Safety
Ensure families are safe from crime and violence in their communities.
“"Everyone deserves to live in an environment where they know their families are safe from crime and violence."”
“"Our childrens' education defines our future as a community and nation. I want every child in Maryland to benefit from a world-class education — regardless of their ZIP code."”
Source“"We all want clean air, clean water, and safe food. We want efficient and clean energy. We want smart and sustainable development."”
Source“"High-quality, affordable healthcare should be accessible and portable between jobs. Too many Marylanders lack adequate health insurance coverage and can't afford prescription medications — that is unacceptable."”
Source“"Maryland ranks in the bottom half of states for economic competitiveness despite our high-quality workforce and access to capital."”
Source“"I don't want us to lose another farm. We must continue to enable farmers to make a living on their land while protecting our environment and public health."”
Source“"The 55+ community is a critical part of Maryland's legacy and an asset to our future. Everyone should be able to age in place as contributing community members with dignity and respect."”
Source“"As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, and Biotechnology, I led the development and passage of the state's first comprehensive cybersecurity package to protect our state agencies, local governments, and all the data they hold from cyberattacks"”
Source“"Everyone deserves to live in an environment where they know their families are safe from crime and violence."”
Source“"Ensuring that every single business can offer health insurance is more important than ever" said Senate sponsor Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard)."”
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