Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$22.2K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMaryland
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BackgroundBusinessman
EducationSparrows Point High School (graduated 1964)
Notable personal detailsEdwin F. Hale Sr. is a Baltimore-area businessman and former banker who founded 1st Mariner Bank (via First Mariner Bancorp) in 1995 and led it as chairman and CEO until 2011. He has owned the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and has been involved in shipping/logistics and real estate development in the Baltimore region. He is a Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland in 2026 after previously indicating he would run as a Democrat and later switching parties in August 2025. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a medic.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting taxes and fees, prioritizing spending reductions over tax increases, and making Maryland more business-friendly through lower corporate and income tax burdens and reduced regulation. Proposes freezing or reducing property/utility fees and rolling back specific taxes described as ‘job killers.’
Climate & Energy
Supports reopening and building fossil-fuel power plants in Maryland, keeping scheduled plant closures from proceeding, and adding nuclear generation; criticizes the state’s emphasis on green energy and frames energy policy around lowering bills and ensuring reliability.
News
Ed Hale is in the news as one of the Republican candidates expected to compete in Maryland’s 2026 gubernatorial race. His potential run is being highlighted as Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller formally filed for re-election, setting up the contest. The Republican field is also shifting after state Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey decided not to run for governor, leaving Hale among the names mentioned for the primary.
Maryland GOP State Sen. Hershey: Won't Be Running for Governor
Moore, Miller officially file for second term: 'We've got more work to do'
Maryland election board unveils new systems to boost campaign finance transparency
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising