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House of Delegates Member · Legislative District 30B · 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 raceMatt Johnston is running for Maryland House of Delegates in District 30B representing South County as an environmental leader, community volunteer, and advocate for everyday people. He grew up in Rolla, Missouri at the edge of the Ozark Mountains where his parents taught him the value of hard work and love for nature. After studying history and political science at the University of Missouri and earning a graduate degree from Indiana University in environmental policy and natural resources management, he worked on Chesapeake Bay policy at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for eight years before becoming Anne Arundel County's first Environmental Policy Director in 2019. In 2022, he transitioned to directing South County's nonprofit riverkeeper organization while continuing his advocacy work. He stands for getting big money out of politics, protecting forests and farms from development, improving roads and traffic safety, making Maryland more affordable to live in, and ensuring government works for communities rather than special interests.
Sources: Campaign website
I'm running for delegate because the people of South County's District 30B deserve a stronger voice in the Maryland General Assembly. As an environmental leader, community volunteer, and advocate for everyday people, I have spent my career standing up for the communities, land, and waterways that make South County such a special place to call home.
I'm running to change that. He will introduce legislation to ban campaign contributions from developers with active development applications, ending the pay-to-play politics that undermine public trust.
Right now, corporations and wealthy special interest groups are determining our future. I'm running to change that. It's time to get big money out of our politics and make our government work for us again.
South County's farms, forests, and rivers define who we are—and once they're gone, they're gone forever.
Source: mattjohnstonfordelegate.com
Government Ethics
Ban campaign contributions from developers with active development applications to end pay-to-play politics; expand public campaign financing so candidates can run on small-dollar donations instead of special-interest money
“He will introduce legislation to ban campaign contributions from developers with active development applications, ending the pay-to-play politics that undermine public trust. And he will fight to expand public campaign financing so candidates can run on small-dollar donations instead of special-interest money”
Environment
Protect forests and farmlands from overdevelopment; safeguard natural resources including rivers and Chesapeake Bay water quality; hold line on Maryland's promise to reduce stormwater pollution
“Matt wrote Anne Arundel County's Forest Conservation Ordinance, safeguarding countless acres of forest from being bulldozed. He authored the County's greenways plan to preserve thousands of acres of open space and repeatedly took on developers who tried to upzone and pave over rural land.”
Infrastructure
Fix South County roads that lack third lanes or shoulders needed for emergency access; address flooding issues where low roads cut off entire peninsulas during high tides
“Traffic in South County isn't just frustrating—it's dangerous. Our crowded state highways are often the only way in and out of our communities, and when traffic backs up, emergency vehicles can be delayed or blocked entirely.”
Land Use
Modernize business and land-use regulations to protect rural character while encouraging redevelopment of outdated commercial sites; make it harder to destroy forests and farmlands
“His goal is simple: protect what matters, cut what doesn't, and make government work for the people who live, work, and farm here.”
Tax Policy
Modernize Maryland's tax code so middle- and lower-income residents can keep more of what they earn; hold energy providers accountable to demand real cost relief for working families
“Matt will work across party lines to modernize Maryland's tax code so middle- and lower-income residents can keep more of what they earn. He will also push for common-sense land-use policies that encourage affordable housing on already-developed land”
According to a July 2021 Bay Journal profile, Matthew Johnston served as environmental policy director for Anne Arundel County and previously held the position of senior environmental policy analyst at the Chesapeake Bay Program. The article notes he grew up in Rolla, Missouri at the edge of the Ozark Mountains where his parents nurtured his love for the outdoors through trips to national parks. He attended the University of Missouri studying political science and history, then earned a graduate degree from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
“Matt wrote Anne Arundel County's Forest Conservation Ordinance, safeguarding countless acres of forest from being bulldozed. He authored the County's greenways plan to preserve thousands of acres of open space and repeatedly took on developers who tried to upzone and pave over rural land.”
Source“I'm running to keep South County rural and to protect our remaining forests and farms from development. I'm running to give our communities an accessible leader who shows up and a powerful, effective voice in Annapolis.”
Source“Traffic in South County isn't just frustrating—it's dangerous. Our crowded state highways are often the only way in and out of our communities, and when traffic backs up, emergency vehicles can be delayed or blocked entirely.”
Source“Matt will work across party lines to modernize Maryland's tax code so middle- and lower-income residents can keep more of what they earn.”
Source“He will introduce legislation to ban campaign contributions from developers with active development applications, ending the pay-to-play politics that undermine public trust.”
Source“These aren't minor inconveniences—they are serious public safety failures that demand action. Matt will be a relentless advocate for fixing South County's roads.”
Source“When we make government work for us, our farmers will have the support they need to defend their land against developers and changing economic and environmental factors. When we make government work for us, we can lower the regulatory barriers that inhibit our small business owners.”
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