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State Senator · Legislative District 20 · 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 raceWill Smith is a progressive Democrat representing Maryland's 20th Legislative District in the State Senate. He serves as the Chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, where he has been a central figure in crafting legislation related to juvenile justice, police reform, and immigrant protections. His legislative vision focuses on advancing equity in education, expanding economic opportunities, and protecting the environment. Smith has been an advocate for housing affordability and renter protections, as well as defending voting rights and reproductive rights. He has also been involved in efforts to reform the criminal justice system, including bills to limit the automatic charging of youth as adults and allowing the Attorney General's office to prosecute police-involved killings.
Sources: Campaign website
Will Smith is a progressive Democrat representing Maryland's 20th Legislative District.
This weekend’s Breakfast Club was at capacity, and I’m grateful for the energy and engagement in the room. We had a thoughtful discussion about the vigorous work your D…
Will's Vision Priorities: Equity in Education, Access to Justice, Protecting our Immigrant Communities, Expanding Economic Opportunities, The Environment, Defending the Right to Vote, Gun Safety Legislation, Rental Protections & Housing Affordability, Defending Reproductive Rights.
Source: willsmithformaryland.com
Immigrant Protections
Smith advocates for protecting immigrant communities and has sponsored legislation to regulate how local law enforcement works with ICE.
“Protecting our Immigrant Communities”
Criminal Justice Reform
He has proposed bills to limit the number of crimes for which juveniles are automatically charged as adults and to allow the AG's office to prosecute police-involved killings.
“Maryland Senate gives initial approval to bill limiting youth auto charging... the bill is a diluted version of Sen. Will Smith’s initial proposal.”
Housing Affordability
Smith prioritizes rental protections and addressing housing affordability, including debates over 'good cause' eviction legislation.
“Rental Protections & Housing Affordability”
Gun Safety
Smith identifies gun safety legislation as a primary vision priority for his campaign.
“Gun Safety Legislation”
External sources identify Will Smith as a key leader in the Maryland Senate who has sponsored legislation to allow Marylanders to sue federal agents for constitutional violations and to limit the automatic charging of juveniles as adults. News reports highlight his role in navigating contentious bills regarding immigrant protections and "good cause" eviction laws through the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. While some of his proposals have been described as "watered-down" or "diluted" during the legislative process, he remains a prominent figure in state-level police and criminal justice reform.
“Maryland Senate gives initial OK to allow AG's office to do police-involved killing prosecutions”
Source“Rental Protections & Housing Affordability”
Source“Maryland Senate revives bill to further regulate how local law enforcement can work with ICE”
Source“Maryland Senate Advances Ban On Life Without Parole For Minors”
Source“Equity in Education”
Source