rights
Queer candidates, allies on the ballot in Md. primary
By Emma LaPointe at Washington Blade
· June 18, 2026
· 5 min read
Maryland voters will see LGBTQ candidates on ballots across the state when they head to the polls for the June 23 primary election. Evan Glass, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, is the current frontrunner in the Montgomery County Executive race. He made history in 2018 as the firs
Key takeaway He made history in 2018 as the first openly gay Jewish man on the County Council.
Why this matters
The presence of LGBTQ candidates on Maryland's primary ballots highlights the state's history of supporting LGBTQ rights, notably the approval of marriage equality in 2012. The potential election of Josie Caballero and Alleria Stanley would mark significant milestones, as they would become the first transgender woman and trans person elected to office in Maryland, respectively. Evan Glass's frontrunner status in the Montgomery County Executive race also demonstrates the progress made in the state. The involvement of allies, such as former Congressman David Trone and retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, who have supported LGBTQ rights legislation, further emphasizes Maryland's commitment to equality. As voters head to the polls, the outcome of these races will be closely watched, particularly given the national context of varying legal protections and policies for LGBTQ individuals across the US. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations will likely be monitoring the results.
About this story
Original reporting by Washington Blade . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Washington Blade . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: Washington Blade ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Maryland voters will see LGBTQ candidates on ballots across the state when they head to the polls for the June 23 primary election. Evan Glass, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, is the current frontrunner in the Montgomery County Executive race. He made history in 2018 as the firs
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emma LaPointe at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .