2018 Md. Primary Guide: House of Delegates, state Senate races to watch

Editor’s note: See all of WTOP’s primary coverage on the Elections and Politics page.

WASHINGTON — Voting in next week’s primary elections in Maryland? You may have been following the contest to determine the Democrats’ challenger against Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. And for the past few weeks, you may have seen and heard ads from competitors in some of the congressional campaigns underway.

But further down the ballot, you’ll also find scores of competitive primaries for seats in the Maryland House of Delegates and the state Senate.

This year has seen a slew of planned exits from the Maryland statehouse. Overall, 29 of 141 Maryland delegates are stepping down this year; some are retiring, others are running for other elected offices.

That turnover in the statehouse has contributed to unusually crowded races, said Todd Eberly, associate professor of political science and public policy. And more incumbents than usual are facing challenges.

“So you’ve got, let’s say, a more dynamic and more active race in the House of Delegates and in the Senate than you have in previous election years in Maryland,” he said.

In the immediate WTOP listening area, there are 35 districts with House of Delegates races on the ballot next. Of those, 17 are districts with at least one open seat.

All 47 state Senate seats are up for election in 2018. Maryland state senators hold office for four years, which means those elected will serve until 2022 — and have a hand in the state’s redistricting process. (Third-party and independent candidates still have until July 2 to file.)

See below for a guide to the House of Delegates and state Senate races to watch.

District 15 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Democratic Del. Aruna Miller is running for Congress.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Anis Ahmed
Kathleen Dumais (I)
David Fraser-Hidalgo (I)
Amy Frieder
Hamza Khan
Kevin Mack
Tony Puca
Lily Qi
Andy Van Wye

Republican (vote for 3)
Laurie Halverson
Harvey Jacobs
Marc King

State Senate

Democrat
Brian Feldman (I)
Hongjun Xin

Republican
David Wilson

District 16 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Del. Bill Frick is running for Montgomery County executive.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Jordan Cooper
Nuchhi Currier
Joseph Hennessey
Ariana Kelly (I)
Marc Korman (I)
Marc Lande
Sara Love
Samir Paul

Republican (vote for 3)
Bill Day

State Senate

Democratic
Susan Lee (I)

Republican
Marcus Alzona

District 17 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Del. Andrew Platt is not seeking a second term.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Esam Al-Shareffi
Kumar Barve (I)
Jim Gilchrist (I)
Julian Haffner
Julie Palakovich Carr
Rebecca Smondrowski

Republican (vote for 3)
George Hernandez

State Senate

Democratic incumbent state Sen. Cheryl Kagan is running unopposed by any major party candidates.

District 18 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

Two open seats because Democratic Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez is running for Montgomery County Council and Jeff Waldstreicher is running for the District 18 state Senate seat.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Al Carr (I)
Ron Franks
Mila Johns
Helga Luest
Leslie Milano
Joel Rubin
Emily Shetty
Jared Solomon

Republican (vote for 3)
Linda Willard

State Senate

Richard Madaleno is running for governor.

Democratic
Dana Beyer
Michelle Carhart
Jeff Waldstreicher

Republican
No Republicans have filed to run.

District 19 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Democratic Del. Ben Kramer is running for state Senate.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Brian Crider
Charlotte Crutchfield
Bonnie Cullison (I)
Marlin Jenkins
Marice Ivette Morales (I)
Vaughn Stewart
Carl Ward
Jade Wiles Jr.

Republican (vote for 3)
Helen Domenici
Dave Pasti
Martha Schaerr

State Senate

Sen. Roger Manno is running for the U.S. House.

Democratic
Ben Kramer

Republican
Alirio Martinez

District 20 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Del. Sheila Hixson, the “grande dame of Annapolis,” is retiring after serving in the House for more than 40 years.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Fatmata Barrie
Lorig Charkoudian
Malik Lendzondzo
David Moon (I)
Darian Unger
Jheanelle Wilkins (I)
George Zokle

State Senate

Democratic
Will Smith (I)

Republican
Dwight Patel

District 39 (Montgomery County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Democratic Del. Charles Barkley is running for an at-large Montgomery County Council seat.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Gabriel Acevero
Bobby Bartlett
Andy Hoverman
Lesley Lopez
Kirill Reznik (I)
Shane Robinson (I)
Clint Sobratti

Republican (vote for 3)
Verelyn Gibbs Watson

State Senate

Democratic
Nancy King (I)

Republican
Al Phillips

District 21 (Prince George’s County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Democratic Del. Barbara Frush is not seeking reelection and is joining Rushern Baker’s gubernatorial campaign.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Ben Barnes (I)
Matt Dernoga
Mary Lehman
James McDowell Jr.
Joseline Pena-Melnyk (I)
Brencis Smith

Republican (vote for 3)
Chike Anyanwu
Richard Douglas

State Senate

Democratic
Jim Rosapepe (I)

Republican
Lee Havis

District 24 (Prince George’s County)

House of Delegates

One open seat because Democratic Del. Carolyn Howard, deputy speaker pro temp, is retiring.

Democratic (vote for 3)
Erek Barron (I)
Sia Finoh
Andrea Harrison
Marnitta King
Jazz Lewis (I)
Delaneo Miller
Maurice Simpson Jr.
Joyce Starks
LaTasha Ward
Donjuan “DJ” Williams
Michelle Wright