Maryland Gubernatorial Primary Election — Candidate Comparison
This page presents a side-by-side comparison of candidate priorities and promises in the Maryland gubernatorial primary election.
Candidates:
- John Myrick (Republican) — Candidate in the Maryland gubernatorial primary election
- Kurt Wedekind (Republican) — Candidate in the Maryland gubernatorial primary election
Candidate Priorities and Promises in the Primary Election
The table below compares the publicly stated priorities and promises of candidates competing in the primary election. Information is compiled from official campaign websites, public statements, and other verifiable sources to help voters understand where candidates stand on key issues.
About
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Putting Marylanders First: I am a dedicated candidate committed to putting Marylanders first. With a deep understanding of the issues and challenges facing our State and Nation, I am passionate about creating positive change and improving the lives of all Marylanders. I bring a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and a strong dedication to public service. I was raised here in Maryland by proud... A Candidate Committed to Marylanders, not Special Interests: I am not a politician, I am a public servant. I am an ordinary Marylander looking to make a difference. I have no interest in making politics a career. The founding Fathers never envisioned serving in an elected office as a lifetime job. They believed that representation needed to change from time to time in order to ensure that ...
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Kurt Wedekind is a proud father of three, grandfather of two, cattle farmer, and passionate advocate for health, community, and sustainable living. A graduate of Mt. Saint Joseph High School, Kurt learned early the value of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, principles that continue to guide him today. He later continued his education at the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland, deepening his knowledge of farming, land stewardship, and sustainable practices. With Maryland roots going back generations, Kurt has seen firsthand the state’s strengths and also its growing challenges. As more retirees are forced to leave Maryland in search of more affordable living, and as taxes increasingly show up under the guise of “fees,” Kurt knows it’s time for real ...
Priority 1
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Creating a Common Sense State Budget…Because we ALL have to live within our means: Marylanders deserve a Governor who will spend YOUR tax Dollars wisely. For far too long, your tax Dollars have been spent without any care that those dollars came from YOU. Our current Governor took office with a surplus of over $5 Billion. Well…guess what? It’s all gone! This year's budget has a projected deficit of over $3 Billion Dollars. The Governor wants new taxes and fees increases on you to...
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Restore Financial Freedom, Make Maryland a State of Opportunity and Prosperity
Priority 2
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Encouraging Businesses to Come to Maryland…Because the Federal Government cannot be Maryland’s ONLY business: Our current Governor has publicly stated that he has no interest in seeking out private industries to come to Maryland – that the Federal Government is Maryland’s business. That’s great, if you work for the Federal Government. What about the rest of us? What about graduates looking for meaningful jobs? With a strong mix of Federal jobs AND private sector jobs, we will give...
Priority 3
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Providing Our Children with a Quality Education WITHOUT Bankrupting the State in the Process…Because we all want what’s best for our children: One thing I believe we all can agree upon is that our State Government has failed us when it comes to the state of Maryland public education. Far too many of our children are simply pushed through the system without being truly educated – despite the best efforts and intentions of their Teachers. We need to fix this NOW! With inputs ...
Priority 4
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Public Safety...Because crime affects us all, yet politicians just don’t seem to care: Crime is an issue that affects us all, directly and indirectly; in large ways and small. Maryland is one of the greatest States in America. Why can’t we be safe in our homes and in our streets? We will lead on this issue unlike politicians who just want to brush it aside. It is the criminals who should be afraid, NOT US!
Priority 5
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
The Budget: As Governor, I will end wasteful spending and demand accountability for our tax Dollars. I will never forget that the money in the State Treasury in YOUR MONEY…not the State’s.
Priority 6
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Business Development: Maryland’s only industry simply cannot be the Federal Government. Maryland needs a strong mix of private sector and Federal jobs. John will work to both bring businesses to Maryland and help develop homegrown Maryland companies and jobs.
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Protect Maryland's Small and Family-Owned Farms from Being Driven out of Business
Priority 7
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Education: Education in Maryland MUST provide our children, indeed all of us, with the skills to succeed today, tomorrow, and into the future. Despite the highest spending levels in Maryland’s history, our State Government continues to fail our children. This must stop, and it will.
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Taxes: We’re committed to cutting unnecessary taxes and wasteful spending in Maryland. Hardworking families shouldn’t be punished for owning a home or working to get ahead. It’s time to eliminate burdens like property and personal taxes that do more harm than good—and to demand accountability in how every tax dollar is spent. By cutting government waste and focusing only on what truly serves Maryland’s residents, we can give people the financial freedom they deserve and make our state a ...
Priority 8
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Crime: Solving Maryland’s crime problem will be a whole of Government effort. We won’t be able to solve it overnight, but we will start working on it on day one. I will direct my entire Administration to focus on this issue. We will involve Law Enforcement, the Legislature, Community Leaders, and Maryland citizens to create real, effective, and lasting solutions.
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Energy: Maryland can and should be energy independent. We have the resources, innovation, and workforce to power our own state — we just need the leadership and common sense to make it happen. By putting all generations of energy on the table — from clean renewables to traditional, reliable sources — we can ensure affordable, dependable power for every Maryland family. It’s time to reduce unnecessary restrictions on our power plants and allow responsible energy production right here at home...
Priority 9
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Cost of Living: We must lower the cost of living for every Maryland resident. That starts with becoming energy independent — producing reliable, affordable power right here in our own state. We also need to bring common sense back to our insurance system by reducing over-inflated requirements that drive up premiums for families and small businesses. Marylanders should not be footing the bill for illegal immigrants within our healthcare system...
Priority 10
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Safety: We’re committed to restoring safety and stability across Maryland. Working closely with law enforcement, we will strengthen our communities by rebuilding the family unit and bringing back personal accountability and responsibility. It’s time to allow communities to have a greater voice in how they govern themselves and to eliminate the failed policy of no-cash bail. We must also recruit, retain, and support highly qualified law enforcement officers who protect and serve with ...
Promise 1
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"Our next Lt. Governor, Dr. Brenda J. Moore Thiam, and I will restore prosperity to Maryland." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 2
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"Our next Lt. Governor, Dr. Brenda J. Moore Thiam, and I will be continuing our efforts to meet as many Marylanders as we can, listen to their concerns, and let them know that we have a plan to restore ..." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 19, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 3
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"We will work with plant owners to refit power generating plants in Maryland for clean fossil fuel use (i.e. natural gas, methane recapture) and get them back online. We will work with..." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 14, 2026 (energy policy promises)
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 4
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"We will also build economic opportunities so that all Marylanders can pursue wealth on their terms... We will lower taxes for our businesses and residents, and we will be good stewards of the public ..." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 13, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 5
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"We will work with energy companies to refit dormant Maryland electric power plants for clean fossil fuels. We will work with the federal government to increase the reactor capacity at Calvert Cliffs. We will ..." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 13, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 6
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"Our next Lt. Governor, Dr. Brenda J. Moore Thiam, and I will be out and about in 5 counties over the next week or so; campaigning with and supporting down-ballot Candidates in their races as well. We invite ..." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 12, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 7
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"We will be reviewing all regulations in the State and eliminating those that either do not comfort to the Constitution, law, or Court ruling; and those that simply make no sense." @JohnMyrickforMD, January 9, 2026
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
Promise 8
Score: / 22 John Myrick:
"With our batteries recharged, our next Lt. Governor, Dr. Brenda J. Moore Thiam, and I will win in 2026 and we will restore not only common sense and integrity to Annapolis, but we will restore prosperity to..." @JohnMyrickforMD, December 29, 2025
Score: / 22 Kurt Wedekind:
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