Dan Cox

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Campaigns on the theme "Renew Maryland. Restore Freedom." and says "Your hard work should be rewarded, not punished."[1]
• Says cost-of-living issues, "not the issues that defined 2022," will decide the 2026 race.[2]
• Promises to audit state agencies and cut taxes, and cites rising energy costs and the unfinished Key Bridge rebuild as reasons for a change in leadership.[3],[4]
• Says retirees should be able to stay in Maryland without being "taxed out of their homes."[5]

Background

• Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania State Sen. Doug Mastriano, Pennsylvania State Senate · Beginning 2023[6]
• Republican nominee for Governor (lost the general election to Wes Moore), 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election · 2022[7]
• Member, House of Delegates, District 4 (Carroll and Frederick counties); Judiciary Committee, Maryland General Assembly · 2019–2023[6]
• Candidate for U.S. House, Maryland congressional races · 2016, 2024[7]
• Attorney, sole practitioner, Cox Law Center LLC · 2007–present[6]
• President, Town Commission, Town of Secretary, Dorchester County · 2007–2009[6]
• High school teacher, Walkersville Christian Family Schools · 1995–2005[6]

Education

• J.D., with distinction, Regent University School of Law (2006)[6]
• B.S., Government and Politics, University of Maryland University College (2002)[6]
• Attended, Mount St. Mary's University (1992–1995)[6]

Where they stand

• Taxes
  Proposes reducing the corporate and income tax rate to 4.9% and reversing fees added under the current administration. Says he would "limit, cap, and, where possible, eliminate property taxes," with a focus on keeping seniors in their homes.[5],[1]
• Energy & Environment
  Proposes bringing power plants back online so Maryland buys less electricity from Pennsylvania and Virginia, and pursuing sources such as small modular nuclear reactors and liquefied natural gas.[5],[1]
• Data Centers
  Says he would order a moratorium on all data centers in Maryland, citing farmland, waterways and communities.[5]
• Infrastructure
  Says he would begin rebuilding the Key Bridge immediately using an emergency order and speed up road and bridge work.[5],[1]
• Education
  Says he would fully fund schools and ensure "every dollar is going straight to the classrooms."[5]
• Public Safety
  Says he will "support lawful policing" with accountability and resources for officers, and says he will "stop the rapid implementation of Flock surveillance" cameras, citing personal privacy.[5]
• Housing
  Says his campaign is considering mortgage down-payment assistance and tax credits for first-time and young homebuyers, and proposes cutting building costs and permitting requirements.[1]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

In their words