(BALTIMORE – June 11, 2026) – The road to Maryland’s 2026 primary election has been an interesting one.
For state candidates, much of the activity intensified following the conclusion of the General Assembly session. Other races, such as County Executive contests, have been building steadily for months. Now, with early voting underway and Election Day approaching, the time for campaigning is quickly giving way to the time for accountability.
Before discussing endorsements, let us first commend every candidate who stepped forward and ran for office.
And we do mean every candidate.
Whether we agree with their positions or not, it takes courage to put your name on a ballot and subject yourself to public scrutiny. Politics is not for the faint of heart. Race, religion, gender, and ideology matter far less than one thing: leadership.
Can you lead?
Can you earn the trust of the people?
Can you deliver results?
That is the question before every voter.
Many enter public office with noble intentions. They genuinely want to improve the lives of their constituents. What they quickly discover is that governing is often far more difficult than campaigning. Street smarts and book smarts collide. Principles meet political realities. Ambition encounters resistance.
And sometimes, the consequences are enormous.
After all, with the stroke of a pen, elected officials can affect millions of lives.
Years ago, I asked then-State Senator Bill Ferguson whether he thought public office would change him. Looking back, I realize that perhaps I was asking the wrong question.
The truth is that all of us change.
Or at least we should.
As Muhammad Ali once observed, if a man thinks the same way at fifty as he did at twenty, he has wasted thirty years of his life. Wisdom should come with experience. Growth should come with time.
Public service reveals character.
Eventually, a person’s true colors emerge.
What is done in the dark comes to light.
That is why elections matter.
As candidates make their final push through door knocking, phone banking, fundraising, digital advertising, emails, and text messages, voters are left with a simple decision:
Who can best represent us?
Who understands our challenges?
Who possesses both the vision and the ability to bring resources back to the community?
Because at the end of the day, that’s the job.
Can you go to Annapolis?
Can you go to Washington?
Can you sit at the table where decisions are made and bring something tangible back to the people who sent you there?
Baltimore and Maryland need leaders who can.
We have seen what happens when elected officials secure investments for their communities. Senators Antonio Hayes and Cory McCray have demonstrated how public officials can leverage relationships and influence to bring major projects and resources home. The West North Avenue Development Authority alone represents more than $71 million directed toward a corridor that had long been overlooked.
We need more of that.
We need elected officials who understand that public office is not a personal achievement. It is a public trust.
We need leaders who understand the realities facing Black communities.
Mass incarceration remains one of those realities.
Economic inequality remains one of those realities.
Educational disparities remain one of those realities.
Access to healthcare, mental health resources, youth programming, and economic opportunity remain ongoing challenges.
The work is far from done.
That is why we need elected officials who understand not only how power works but why it matters.
We need leaders who remember where they came from.
We need leaders who do not forget the mission.
And we need leaders who recognize that public service is exactly that — service.
With that said, BMORENews.com has covered this election from Southern Maryland through Prince George’s County and throughout the Greater Baltimore region. We have attended events, interviewed candidates, spoken with voters, reviewed records, and carefully considered the choices before us.
After conducting our due diligence, BMORENews.com proudly offers the following endorsements.
For Baltimore County Executive, BMORENews.com endorses Julian Jones.
A former firefighter who rose to become Chairman of the Baltimore County Council four separate times, Jones represents persistence, resilience, and proven leadership. What has always impressed us is that his rise did not begin with the backing of political insiders. He built support from the ground up, earning the confidence of residents throughout Baltimore County. His understanding of government, combined with his ability to navigate difficult political terrain, make him well prepared to lead the county forward.
For Anne Arundel County Executive, BMORENews.com endorses Pete Smith.
A 28-year military veteran and longtime public servant, Smith has consistently demonstrated a commitment to service that extends beyond politics. Many Baltimoreans may not know of his years of support for organizations such as the Bea Gaddy Center, but those who know him understand his dedication to community. His leadership, discipline, and record of service make him a strong choice to lead Anne Arundel County.
For Sheriff of Baltimore City, BMORENews.com endorses Sabrina Tapp-Harper.
We have watched her professional evolution for years. She was a respected law enforcement officer then and remains a respected leader today. Her experience, integrity, and commitment to public safety distinguish her from the field. Most importantly, she has earned the respect of many who have served alongside her. We believe she possesses both the character and competence necessary to lead Baltimore City’s Sheriff’s Office.
In the 41st Legislative District, BMORENews.com endorses Malcolm Ruff for State Senate and Chezia Cager for House of Delegates.
Chezia Cager represents a new generation of leadership grounded in an appreciation of the district’s history, legacy, and significance. She understands the role the 41st District has played in Black political empowerment and brings the energy, intelligence, and vision necessary to continue that tradition.
Malcolm Ruff understands power, relationships, and results. He understands how institutions work and how to move effectively within them. Equally important, he remains connected to the community he seeks to represent. Whether engaging national leaders or neighborhood residents, Ruff brings a seriousness of purpose and a commitment to service that we believe will serve the district well.
For the United States House of Representatives, BMORENews.com proudly endorses Kweisi Mfume.
Congressman Mfume has dedicated much of his adult life to public service. From the Baltimore City Council to the United States Congress, from leading the NAACP to once again serving Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, he has remained a consistent advocate for the people he represents. His experience, accessibility, and understanding of the issues facing urban communities continue to make him an effective voice in Washington. At a time when experience and relationships matter, we believe Kweisi Mfume remains the best choice to represent the 7th District.
These endorsements are not based on personality.
They are not based on popularity.
They are based on leadership, integrity, effectiveness, and a demonstrated commitment to serving the people.
After careful consideration, BMORENews.com believes these candidates are best positioned to move their communities forward and to represent the interests of those who entrusted them with public office.
Now the decision belongs to the voters.
As it should.
