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State Senator · Legislative District 38 · 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 raceMary Beth Carozza is a Republican Maryland State Senator representing District 38, which includes Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She earned a bachelor's degree in political philosophy and a master's degree in American government from The Catholic University of America before working on Capitol Hill and serving as deputy assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs at the Pentagon under Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from 2001 to 2003. Carozza survived the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack when Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, an experience she describes as life-changing and says her faith sustained her through. She maintains a Bible on her desk in the Maryland State House and views it as a lens for public service. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility regarding state budget challenges, education policy reform including career readiness pathways beyond college, protecting coastal communities from offshore wind projects that could impact local fishermen and marine life, and ensuring child custody evaluators are properly licensed professionals.
Sources: Campaign website
"It's simply unaffordable. If you can't pay for [Blueprint] you are passing on an unfunded mandate to the taxpayers, and in many cases to local governments and school systems… Take a slower approach. Maybe break down some of the issues"
"I think the reality of Maryland's budget situation is just hitting home."
"My focus is career readiness, which includes several options. It could be college, the military, apprenticeships, or it could be straight into work. We want to give our students the pathways."
"Senator Mary Beth Carozza worries about how the turbines would affect the view on the beach. She believes the project will affect fishermen and marine life."
Source: marybethcarozza.com
Education
Concerns about the cost and unfunded nature of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education spending plan, advocating for slower approach and multiple pathways to career readiness including college, military, apprenticeships, or straight into work
“"It's simply unaffordable. If you can't pay for [Blueprint] you are passing on an unfunded mandate to the taxpayers... Take a slower approach. Maybe break down some of the issues" and "My focus is career readiness, which includes several options. It could be college, the military, apprenticeships, or it could be straight into work. We want to give our students the pathways."”
Fiscal Policy
Addressing Maryland's $2.7 billion budget deficit and advocating for rolling back or extending timelines for certain programs that are not fully funded
“"I think the reality of Maryland's budget situation is just hitting home... When you talk about the budget, you have to talk about education because you've got the blueprint education plan that is not paid for."”
Environment
Opposing U.S. Wind's proposed offshore wind project in Ocean City due to concerns about turbines affecting beach views, fishermen and marine life
“"Senator Carozza worries about how the turbines would affect the view on the beach. She believes the project will affect fishermen and marine life."”
Criminal Justice
Proposing legislation requiring child custody evaluators in contested cases to be licensed and board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical therapists, or certified social workers
“"Carozza's bill says those evaluators must be licensed and board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical therapists, or certified social workers."”
According to Catholic Standard coverage, Senator Carozza grounds her public service in faith while representing District 38 which includes Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The article notes she emphasizes that "You have to serve everyone. You have to work with everyone. And you never want to be pigeonholed on any one issue." Her background includes studies at Catholic University of America where she earned degrees in political philosophy and American government before beginning her career on Capitol Hill.
“"My focus is career readiness, which includes several options. It could be college, the military, apprenticeships, or it could be straight into work. We want to give our students the pathways."”
Source“"I think the reality of Maryland's budget situation is just hitting home... When you talk about the budget, you have to talk about education because you've got the blueprint education plan that is not paid for."”
Source“"Senator Carozza worries about how the turbines would affect the view on the beach. She believes the project will affect fishermen and marine life."”
Source“"Carozza's bill says those evaluators must be licensed and board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical therapists, or certified social workers."”
Source