Maryland Governor's Sign and State Political Developments in 2026

" Democrats hold seven of Maryland's eight congressional seats. Andy Harris, the sole Republican in the delegation and chairman of the House Conservative Caucus.

Bartlett lost his seat in 2012. The current congressional map reflects these changes.

Maryland's Political and Social Context Baltimore is Maryland's largest city and the childhood home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose father, Thomas d'Alesandro Jr.

, served three terms as mayor. The city includes institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Fort McHenry, and the Chesapeake Bay, along with professional sports teams the Orioles and Ravens. According to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program for 2024-2025, 13% of students in grades three through 12 in Baltimore City schools were proficient in math, and 31% in English.

SAT scores in the district reached a record low. From 2019 to 2025, Baltimore City Public Schools lost nearly 2,500 students but added nearly 2,100 full-time staff members. Baltimore County lost nearly 3,800 students during the same period but added 531 employees, according to data from Georgetown University cited in research by Heritage Foundation fellow Corey DeAngelis.

The number of teachers in Baltimore County decreased by 53, with reductions also in custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers. The staffing increase consisted of 267 school bureaucrats, representing a 21% rise. A LendingTree study ranks Maryland as the third most expensive state to raise a child, after Hawaii and Alaska.

Recent Legislative Actions In March, the Maryland House passed HB 649, which adds gender identity and sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination laws and applies to all schools, including private and religious ones.

The bill, now in the Senate, would allow private rights of action for enforcement. The House vote was 100 in favor from Democrats and 35 opposed from Republicans.

The amendment would adjust the delegation from six Democrats and five Republicans to 10 Democrats. Spanberger stated opposition to gerrymandering during her campaign but later backed this amendment.