INITIATIVE

Election Candidate Surveys

Maryland Vote 2026

Maryland Candidate Surveys for Districts 35B-38C

(in Diocese of Wilmington)

The Maryland Catholic Conference sent a survey to candidates for governor, Maryland General Assembly, and Maryland’s U.S. House of Representatives seats. The survey covered issues that may come before them if elected.

The Maryland Catholic Conference does not endorse or oppose any candidate, under any circumstance, and no inference of endorsement or opposition should be concluded as a result of the information provided here.

Survey Questions: Governor and General Assembly

Candidates could answer “agree” or “disagree” and/or provide a written response to any or all statements.

1. Assistance to the poor. Funding in Maryland’s budget should be maintained, and when necessary, increased to provide low-income residents access to basic necessities, such as food, housing and healthcare.

2. Environment. The State of Maryland should support initiatives such as tax credits or grant programs to encourage Maryland residents, businesses and non-profits to reduce their carbon footprint.

3. K-12 educational options. The State of Maryland should continue to expand existing funding to provide scholarships for low-income students who wish to attend the K-12 nonpublic school best suited for their educational needs.

4. Physician assisted suicide/medical aid in dying. In 1999, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation making it a felony for an individual to assist in another individual’s suicide. Maryland should uphold the law in its current form and reject legislation to legalize the practice of physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying.

5. Why should Maryland Catholics vote for you? 

Districts 35B-38C Candidate Responses (in Diocese of Wilmington)
Dist. 35B Delegate
Dist. 36 Senator
Dist. 36 Senator
Dist. 36 Delegate
Dist. 37 Senator
Dist. 38 Senator
Dist. 38B Delegate
Candidate
Blessing T. Oluwadare (D)
Nivek Johnson (D)
Steve Hershey (R)
Michelle Ravert (D)
Edmund J. Barrett (D)
Mary Beth Carozza (R)
Josh Hastings (D)
Assistance for Poor
Environment
K-12 Education Options
Against Physician Asstd. Suicide
Comments?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y

Table includes candidates who responded. Check mark = Agree; X = Disagree; blank = no response. Candidates who did not respond are listed below the comments.

Candidate Comments
Blessing T. Oluwadare (D) - Dist. 35B Delegate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

One of my goals is to provide Food Security: like SNAP benefits, TCA MA for the low-income residents; Housing: provide affordable rents for the low income residents; Healthcare: Will also prioritized expanding Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP). in behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and nursing homes to ensure service availability. Economic Relief: Also continue with the Child Care Scholarship Program to help low-income parents remain in the workforce.

  1. Environment:

Strongly support state initiatives such as tax credits and grant programs to reduce carbon footprints. I will prioritize making carbon reduction affordable for everyday residents through direct financial incentives:

  1. K-12 Educational Options:

I agree by providing financial aid to low-income students (eligible for free or reduced-price meals) to attend participating nonpublic schools.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

I will generally lean toward supporting personal autonomy and medical aid in dying (MAID), while acknowledging the ethical and legal complexities of the 1999 law.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

As a Democratic delegate in Maryland, I believe my platform and the broader Democratic agenda in our state resonate deeply with Maryland Catholic particularly our shared commitment to the “”common good,”” the dignity of the human person, and the preferential option for the poor. While we may have different perspectives on certain issues, there are many areas where our values align to build a more just and compassionate Maryland. Solidarity with the Poor and Vulnerable, Dignity of the Immigrant, Care for Our Common Home, Supporting Families and Education. My goal is to lead with love & respect.

Nivek Johnson (D) - Dist. 36 Senate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

No Marylander should have to struggle to meet their basic needs. As the cost of living continues to rise, too many families are being pushed further behind. We must take action to ensure Marylanders have access to the support and tools they need to thrive—expanding financial assistance programs, increasing access to grants, and strengthening our nonprofit partners who serve on the front lines every day. At the center of this work must be a commitment to uplifting marginalized and oppressed communities. Their needs cannot be an afterthought—they must shape our priorities and our legislation.

  1. Environment:

With rising energy costs and increasing gas prices, we must look for ways to help offset our carbon footprint by expanding access to clean and green energy solutions. We should also strengthen existing efforts such as recycling and composting programs, which play an important role in reducing environmental impact. The answer is yes—we should actively pursue new grant opportunities and tax credit programs that support this work. Investing in these initiatives not only helps the environment but also reduces long-term costs for Maryland families and communities.

  1. K-12 Educational Options:

Maryland has both excellent public and nonpublic schools. However, there are times when public schools may face resource limitations that do not fully meet the needs of every student, leading some families to seek educational options elsewhere. I believe scholarships for nonpublic school options should be considered on a case-by-case basis, with careful attention to student need and family circumstances. I strongly believe we should prioritize expanding financial support for early childhood education and daycare access, especially for families who cannot afford these essential services.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

This is a deeply sensitive and complex issue that raises important ethical, medical, and legal concerns. I believe the state should continue to uphold strong protections for vulnerable individuals, including those who may be experiencing serious illness, depression, or pressure due to circumstances beyond their control. Maryland should continue to invest in expanding access to high-quality palliative care, hospice services, and mental health support. The focus should be improving quality of life, pain management, and comprehensive care.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

I am running to keep everyday people first. Every Marylander—regardless of background, culture, or circumstance deserves to have their voice heard, especially those who are often marginalized or overlooked. As a lifelong Marylander, I have seen the progress and the challenges we continue to face. These experiences have shaped my commitment to service and strengthened my understanding of what families across our state need. I believe I can bring a necessary and grounded voice to the Senate one rooted in faith, experience, and a commitment.

Steve Hershey (R) - Dist. 36 Senate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

While I believe government has an important role in ensuring a basic safety net for the most vulnerable, simply maintaining or increasing state spending is not always the most effective or responsible solution. I take seriously the call to support those in need—but I also believe strongly in stewardship of taxpayer resources and in policies that promote independence, opportunity, and strong families rather than long-term reliance on government programs. Responsible budgeting and compassion are not competing priorities—they must work together.

  1. Environment:

As a Catholic, I believe we are called to be good stewards of creation. However, I do not believe the State should rely on tax credits or grant programs as the primary mechanism to reduce carbon emissions. Maryland has some of the most aggressive and costly climate policies in the country, these initiatives have contributed to rising utility rates that disproportionately affect families, seniors, and businesses. Good stewardship includes not only care for the environment, but also responsible use of taxpayer dollars and policies that do not place unnecessary financial burdens on our families.

  1. K-12 Educational Options:

I strongly support expanding scholarship opportunities that help low-income families choose the K-12 school that best meets their children’s needs, including nonpublic and faith-based schools. School choice should not be limited to families with financial means. Expanding access to scholarships helps ensure that parents—not government systems—can make the best educational decisions for their children. Supporting these scholarships is a practical way to promote educational opportunity, respect parental rights, and recognize the important role these schools play in serving Maryland students.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

While I deeply respect the difficult circumstances faced by individuals and families confronting serious illnesses, I believe legalizing physician-assisted suicide raises significant ethical, medical, and policy concerns—particularly regarding protections for vulnerable individuals and the role of physicians in end-of-life decision-making. My approach has been to carefully consider the moral implications and the practical complexities of recent proposals. I remain committed to policies that respect life while ensuring Marylanders receive dignified and supportive end of life care.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

As a Catholic and a graduate of Catholic University of America, my faith has shaped my commitment that public service should reflect both compassion and prudence. Throughout my 13 years in the Senate, I have supported expanding educational opportunity for families seeking faith-based schooling, upheld protections for life at its most vulnerable stages, and advocated for fiscally responsible policies that ensure long-term stability for Maryland families and communities. I would be honored to have the support of Maryland Catholics who share these values long upheld in Catholic teaching.

Michelle Ravert (D) - Dist. 36 Delegate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

I have a plan to create more affordable housing in the district. I spent 25 in the financial services industry and know how private equity caused rents and home values to rise. We can use the same vehicle to fix it. Instead of producing profits for the rich, we can provide affordable housing for those that need it.

  1. Environment:

Not only do I think the green tax credits should persist, I also think we should focus efforts on repurposing abandoned/unused properties. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. We should not judge how well our economy is doing by the number of new homes built.

  1. K-12 Educational Options:

I attended Catholic school and acknowledge the benefits. My parents struggled financially to keep me and my sisters in Catholic school because they understood the quality. I would like to work toward providing that great Catholic School Education to all within our Public School System.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

Although I vehemently disagree with the law on a personal level, I feel this is a separation of church and state issue. While I would never condone the practice personally, I do not think the government should take that option from people.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

Having been raised Catholic, I embrace the values I learned and have led a life committed to service of others. While I do believe that Church and State must remain separate, I am committed to universal social equity and environmental justice.

Edmund J. Barrett (D) - Dist. 37 Senate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

I believe that we, as a community, need to rally around the most vulnerable. This is a basic tenet of Christianity. I was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer for many years. When I lived in the Annapolis area, I supported Anne Arundel Connecting Together – an interdenominational community organization to work together on issues like affordable housing, social justice, and public accountability. Its mission statement reads like something Pope Francis or Pope Leo would’ve written. I would like to see the Dioceses of Maryland joining their efforts.   

  1. Environment:

The environment is one of the most important areas of emphasis in our campaign. Not only is the Chesapeake Bay, the surrounding wetlands, forests, and farms a large part of our area and economy, they also help define our identity. As the AI/Quantum Computing economy takes off – and that is inevitable at this point – our energy needs will increase significantly. This will present a real challenge to Pope Leo’s charge to take care of our planet. Clean, renewable energy will be an important aspect of that. Solar and wind power should be expanded, to include tax credits and grants.

  1. K-12 Educational Options

I know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for but our emphasis with public moneys must be public schools. My parents were both the product of Catholic schools. Most of my family are practicing Catholics and many attended Catholic schools … but if we are devoting public funds to Catholic schools, that also means that we’ll be forced to fund other schools, some of which may have beliefs we find repugnant, bigoted, or otherwise objectionable. We need, first, to ensure that the baseline public schools have adequate funding to provide opportunity to vulnerable communities.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

I believe issues like these should not be up to a legislative body. They are incredibly personal decisions, and should focus on the dignity of the person involved, and be made by that individual with the council of his/her family, doctor, and clergyman of that person’s choice. Adding the Maryland State Legislature to that decision cannot be a recipe for anything good. I’d keep Annapolis out of this.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

They should vote for me because, raised in the tradition, I share their values. I even considered the priesthood as a teenager (although I realized that was probably to make my grandmother proud). I’ve been especially inspired by the papacies of Francis and Leo. I must confess that my parents stopped attending church in my teens, because they were put off by the wealth and pageantry of the church and felt it was losing its way. I wish they had lived to see the last two popes. They would have loved them, as I do.

Mary Beth Carozza (R) - Dist. 38 Senate Candidate
  1. Assistance to the Poor:

Budgets are about priorities. Maryland’s budget should be focused on lowering costs for families, increasing investment in our state, and assisting our most vulnerable. Unfortunately, this year’s budget cut $127 million to the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which directly threatens support services for one of our most vulnerable populations. However, the budget included funding for Diakonia, Inc. in Worcester County that I requested and supported. Diakonia has been providing services to homeless persons for over 50 years, including shelter, food, clothing, and supportive programs.

  1. Environment:

We need a balanced approach that allows us to meet our environmental goals while prioritizing our ratepayers. Energy affordability was the top concern raised by Marylanders during the 2026 legislative session. For years, the General Assembly has pushed aggressive mandates, surcharges, and regulations that increase costs and strain grid reliability. I have sponsored legislation and recommended policy changes based on the lowest cost and greatest benefit to the ratepayers. I will continue to push for energy policy that ensures safe, affordable, and reliable energy generation in Maryland.

  1. K-12 Educational Options:

I am a strong supporter of both our public and non-public schools as I believe all families, regardless of income, should have choices in deciding how their children should be educated. Every child has a unique learning style, and every child should have the opportunity to learn in their optimal environment. Programs like BOOST provide low-income families the same choice that high-income families have with their children’s education. I also sponsored SB 879 of 2025 to expand the Dual Enrollment program offered at Maryland Community Colleges to include private and home school students.

  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

As a pro-life practicing Catholic, I consistently have strongly opposed attempts to legalize physician assisted suicide. I am deeply concerned about physicians making diagnostic mistakes, the impact on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the possibility of insurance companies using physician assisted suicide to deny expensive treatments that could save the life of a patient. Additionally, I am unsettled by the significant increases in suicide rates associated with the legalization of physician assisted suicide in states such as Oregon.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

I am committed to living my Catholic faith through my public service. Throughout my life, I have been blessed that my parents, Godparents, and other Catholic role models shared their faith with me. I have been a life-long parishioner at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Ocean City, where I serve as a middle school catechist and am an active member of the Maryland General Assembly Prayer Caucus. My faith sustains me in my public service.

Josh Hastings (D) - Dist. 38B Delegate Candidate
  1. Physician Assisted Suicide/Medical Aid in Dying:

Physicians should — above all else — do no harm. There are extraordinarily limited situations where medical professionals may make actions that lead to the unwanted or unfortunate death of a patient and we should not penalize physicians for helping advance the patient’s highest quality life possible.

  1. Why Catholics should vote for me:

I want Catholic voters to support and trust me. I’m a kosher Christian whose relationship with God is at the center of all personal, professional and policy decisions I make. My campaign is built around three pillars of 1.) Prosperity of people; 2.) Health of the planet; and 3.) Strengthening democracy and democratic institutions.

No responses were received from the following candidates.

Senate: Dist. 35 – Neil Jennings (D); Dist. 35 – Jason C. Gallion (R); Dist. 37 – Katie G. Clendaniel (D); Dist. 37 – Johnny Mautz (R); Dist. 38 – Lino Cressotti (D)

House of Delegates: Dist. 35B – Derek J. Howell (R); Dist. 36 – Nevin Crouse (D); Dist. 36 – Crystal Woodward (D); Dist. 36 – Steve Arentz (R); Dist. 36 – Jeff Ghrist (R); Dist. 36 – Jay A. Jacobs (R); Dist. 37A – Sheree Sample-Hughes (D); Dist. 37B – Michele W. Johnson (D); Dist. 37B – Chris Adams (R); Dist. 37B – Tom Hutchinson (R); Dist. 38A – Shelley Johnson (D); Dist. 38A – C. L. Marshall (R); Dist. 38B – Barry S. Beauchamp (R); Dist. 38C – Wayne A. Hartman (R)

About Parishes and Voter Guides

These candidate surveys are the only voter guides approved by the Maryland bishops for use in our parishes.

Parishes, as nonprofits, must comply with IRS rules. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers guidance for parishes.

“Voter education materials should (1) be consistent with church teaching on political responsibility; (2) cover a wide range of issues important to voters; and (3) exhibit no bias for or against any candidate or party.”