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State Senator · Legislative District 1 · 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 raceMike McKay is a Maryland State Senator representing District 1 who was born in Rockville, Maryland and has made Appalachia his home for 27 years. A career small business owner running Dryclean and Shirt Salon in Cumberland and La Vale, Maryland as well as Germ Defense Maryland, he previously served on the Appropriations Committee in the House of Delegates from 2015 to 2023, represented District 1C from 2015-2023, and served as President of the Board of County Commissioners of Allegany County from 2010-2014. He is married to Kimberly with eight children and serves on seven different Senate committees including Judicial Proceedings Committee and Maryland Veterans Caucus. McKay positions himself as a passionate champion for Western Maryland and rural communities, particularly in economic development, workforce development, and healthcare areas.
Sources: Campaign website
"Bringing Measurable Success to Western Maryland"
"100% Pro-Life Conservative"
"Mike McKay believes life begins at conception and the Government has an obligation to protect the unborn."
"There is no stronger fighter for tax cuts, de-regulation, and business than Del. Mike McKay. In the Senate, Mike will continue his fight to cut taxes and government waste."
"I just think that it's outside of the box, just modernizing. I've just taken the exact same thing that it's always been and I'm just trying to figure out a new way to communicate to the people who sent me down to Annapolis."
Source: mikemckaymd.com
Pro-Life
McKay believes life begins at conception and the Government has an obligation to protect the unborn
“"100% Pro-Life Conservative" - "Mike McKay believes life begins at conception and the Government has an obligation to protect the unborn."”
Tax Policy
McKay advocates for tax cuts, de-regulation, and business support with no stronger fighter than himself in these areas
“"100% Pro-Jobs" - "There is no stronger fighter for tax cuts, de-regulation, and business than Del. Mike McKay. In the Senate, Mike will continue his fight to cut taxes and government waste."”
Public Safety
McKay will fight to give cops on the street everything they need to do their jobs and vote against measures to defund law enforcement at every level
“"100% Pro-Police" - "In the State Senate, Mike McKay will fight to give Cops on the street everything they need to do their jobs, and will vote against measures to defund law enforcement at every level."”
Second Amendment
McKay is a proud sportsman and defender of the Second Amendment, supported by both the NRA and Western Maryland Sportsman Club
“"100% Pro-Second Amendment" - "Mike is a proud sportsman and defender of the Second Amendment. Supported by both the NRA and the Western Maryland Sportsman Club, Mike McKay is the only candidates 100% pro-gun in the race for State Senate District 1."”
Economic Development
McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state's rural communities, especially in areas of economic and workforce development
“"Bringing Measurable Success to Western Maryland" - "McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state's rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development and healthcare."”
Healthcare
McKay focuses on healthcare as an area where he champions Western Maryland and rural communities
“"Bringing Measurable Success to Western Maryland" - "McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state's rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development and healthcare."”
Education
McKay sponsors Senate Scholarship Program for students in District 1 to help pay for college or trade school
“"Senate Scholarship Program" - "Students in Maryland's District 1 can apply for the Senatorial Scholarship to help pay for college or trade school."”
Maryland Matters reported on ethics concerns regarding Sen. Mike McKay's self-published books titled 'The 90 Day Report' covering his legislative work during the 2024 and 2025 General Assembly Sessions. The books face scrutiny from both the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Maryland State Board of Elections over potential violations involving official titles, state employees paid by taxpayer dollars, and commingling of resources with campaign finances.
“"Senate Scholarship Program" - "Students in Maryland's District 1 can apply for the Senatorial Scholarship to help pay for college or trade school."”
Source“"100% Pro-Police" - "In the State Senate, Mike McKay will fight to give Cops on the street everything they need to do their jobs"”
Source“"100% Pro-Jobs" - "There is no stronger fighter for tax cuts, de-regulation, and business than Del. Mike McKay"”
Source“"McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state's rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development"”
Source“"McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state's rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development and healthcare"”
Source“"In the Senate, Mike will continue his fight to cut taxes and government waste"”
Source