The Ballot Brief
Allegany County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 1

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ashley Emerick and Mike McKay. Candidate information follows official Allegany County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Ashley Emerick (Democratic), Mike McKay (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 1; Mike McKay is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the June 23 primary; unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Mike McKay, is on the ballot.

Maryland › Allegany County › Maryland Senate District 1

Ashley Emerick

Democratic

Top priorities

  • bringing state tax dollars back to Western Maryland
  • support for Main Street small businesses
  • expanding affordable housing

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ashley Emerick is a small-business owner from Allegany County running for Maryland Senate District 1, per the campaign site. During the COVID-19 shutdown she began baking from home, which grew into AJ's Cookie Jar, a small business in downtown Cumberland, per the campaign site.

Mike McKay

Mike McKay

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

  • Champion economic and workforce development for Western Maryland's rural communities
  • Supports Second Amendment rights and opposes new gun restrictions
  • Supports law enforcement funding and opposes efforts to defund police

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mike McKay is a Maryland state senator who moved to Western Maryland 35 years ago and started a family there, per the campaign site. He is a business owner focused on economic development, workforce development and healthcare in rural communities, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotMaryland House of Delegates District 1A

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 1 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ashley Emerick and Mike McKay. Candidate information follows official Allegany County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 1 election in Maryland?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Maryland are on the Maryland election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Allegany County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Allegany County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Allegany County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Allegany County ballot

4 tracked races in Allegany County, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Maryland House of Delegates District 1BMaryland House of Delegates District 1CSee all 4 Allegany County races
Candidate profiles
Ashley Emerick, full profileMike McKay, full profileOfficial Maryland election office