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Governor · Maryland · 2026 Primary
This candidate has withdrawn. Information below reflects their filing at the time of withdrawal.
The Governor serves as Maryland’s chief executive, overseeing the state government's daily operations and managing executive agencies. This official proposes the annual state budget and has the power to sign or veto legislation passed by the General Assembly. The Governor also appoints the heads of state departments and fills vacancies in the state judiciary.
View all candidates in this raceRalph Jaffe is a Pikesville resident and teacher running for Governor of Maryland as a Democratic candidate, having been listed as an official candidate since May 2017. His campaign war chest totals $415 by design, matching the amount he raised with his sister Freda Jaffe in 2016 during his Senate bid. He previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2012 and 2016, and for Governor in 2010, never exceeding $490 in prior campaigns. Jaffe positions himself as part of a movement to upend Maryland's political system with a new paradigm free of monetary influence in politics.
Government Ethics
Jaffe opposes campaign contributions and wants to denounce them while donating his salary to the poor and needy of the state
“"You cannot be ethical if you take campaign contributions because you've been bought," he says. "You're beholden to the people that give you the money. It's called influence peddling, money peddling. It's bribes."”
Public Safety
Jaffe wants to develop a youth mentorship program and bring in the National Guard for three to six weeks to address persistent violence in Baltimore
“"developing a youth mentorship program to steer kids away from violence, in Baltimore in particular" and "bring in the National Guard for three to six weeks to 'extinguish the fire' of persistent violence"”
Youth
Jaffe focuses on youth mentorship programs specifically targeting Baltimore's violent neighborhoods
“"developing a youth mentorship program to steer kids away from violence, in Baltimore in particular"”
According to Baltimore Fishbowl coverage, Jaffe claims 98 percent of the media is corrupt due to bias and has been critical of The Sun for attempting to discredit his teaching and the Jaffe movement. He plans to sue the paper for $1 if he doesn't secure the Democratic nomination in June, though he had initially planned to sue for $1 billion according to an April 16 press release.
“"developing a youth mentorship program to steer kids away from violence, in Baltimore in particular"”
Source“"bring in the National Guard for three to six weeks to 'extinguish the fire' of persistent violence"”
Source“"You cannot be ethical if you take campaign contributions because you've been bought"”
Source“"attempted to discredit my teaching and the Jaffe movement"”
Source