Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
State Senator · Legislative District 8 · 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 raceYahu Blackwell is a Republican candidate running for Maryland State Senator who identifies as HRM Osuman Lumor Jeroboam Yah Nii Armah Blackwell and traces his heritage to Ghana through Christiansborg Castle (now Osu Castle). He owns multiple businesses including Rita's Italian Ice, Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchises in Baltimore, and the HEWALE energy drink brand. His mother died in 2015 due to medical malpractice, which he says solidified his resolve to honor her memory through public service. Blackwell describes himself as a professional boxer, business owner, and community activist who works to preserve family legacy while uplifting the broader Baltimore community.
Sources: Campaign website
I am not a politician; I am the voice of the people.
My commitment is to restoring public safety, empowering parents and teachers, cutting burdensome taxes, and enforcing common-sense immigration policies.
There's a direct link between education and crime—and it's time we face it head-on. For too long, our leaders have ignored the root causes of rising crime, failing to invest in the futures of our youth.
Empowerment, not punishment, is the path forward. Let's give our youth purpose, skills, and a future they can believe in.
Source: blackwell4md.com
Taxation
Committed to fostering economic environment where businesses flourish without excessive regulations; standing firm against tax increases that threaten opportunities; advocating for repeal of cumbersome regulations to drive economy forward and create jobs.
“I am committed to fostering a thriving economic environment where businesses can flourish without the weight of excessive regulations. I believe that our state should prioritize investment and growth, which means standing firm against tax increases that threaten to stifle opportunities.”
Education
Champions bold education reform transforming high schools into career-launching trade schools; 9th grade focuses on academics while grades 10-12 offer hands-on training in trades and essential life skills like financial literacy, credit building, and homeownership.
“As your next State Senator, I will champion bold education reform that transforms high schools into career-launching trade schools. By assessing how students learn best—left-brain or right-brain—we can tailor teaching to unlock every child's potential.”
Public Safety
Committed to strengthening communities by introducing new legislation empowering local authorities; increasing police presence in neighborhoods and fostering better public relations between communities and law enforcement agencies.
“As Maryland's Senator, my commitment is to strengthen our communities by introducing new legislation that empowers local authorities to carry out their essential duties more effectively. By increasing police presence in our neighborhoods, we can ensure a safer environment for all residents.”
Pro-Family
Advocating for Pro-Family policies celebrating sanctity of life and providing tangible support for mothers, fathers, and families welcoming new life through effective legislation.
“I am committed to advocating for Pro-Family policies that not only celebrate the sanctity of life but also provide tangible support for mothers, fathers, and families as they embark on the journey of welcoming new life.”
Family Court
Introducing groundbreaking legislation transforming family law to foster collaboration between parents encouraging common ground in best interests of children; promoting incentives prioritizing healthy co-parenting over adversarial court battles.
“This proposed initiative seeks to foster collaboration between parents, encouraging them to work towards common ground in the best interests of our children. By promoting incentives that prioritize healthy co-parenting over adversarial court battles, we can put an end to the divisive tactics.”
School Curriculum
Committed to safeguarding children's innocence by introducing new legislation aimed at removing sexualized material from school curricula; focusing on cultivating minds of youth academically and building solid foundation for futures.
“I am committed to safeguarding our children's innocence by introducing new legislation aimed at removing any sexualized material from school curricula. The role of education should be to cultivate the minds of our youth, allowing them to flourish academically.”
“As your next State Senator, I will champion bold education reform that transforms high schools into career-launching trade schools.”
Source“By increasing police presence in our neighborhoods, we can ensure a safer environment for all residents.”
Source“I believe that our state should prioritize investment and growth, which means standing firm against tax increases that threaten to stifle opportunities.”
Source“By advocating for the repeal of cumbersome regulations, I will work tirelessly to ensure that entrepreneurs and investors feel confident in their decisions to build and expand their businesses.”
Source“My commitment is to restoring public safety, empowering parents and teachers, cutting burdensome taxes, and enforcing common-sense immigration policies.”
Source