The Ballot Brief
Baltimore County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 11

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shelly L. Hettleman and Jim Simpson. Candidate information follows official Baltimore County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Shelly L. Hettleman (Democratic), Jim Simpson (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 11; Shelly L. Hettleman 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, Shelly L. Hettleman, is on the ballot.

Maryland › Baltimore County › Maryland Senate District 11

Shelly L. Hettleman

Shelly L. Hettleman

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Improving public education
  • Public safety and criminal justice
  • Jobs, housing and economic development

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Hettleman founded and directed CHANA, a counseling and aid network for domestic violence survivors in the Baltimore region, before serving as director of public policy for Parent Action and director of government relations for the Baltimore Jewish Council, per the campaign site. She later worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Ben Cardin before her own election to the House of Delegates and then the Senate, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Jim Simpson

Republican

Top priorities
  • Calls for substantial reductions in taxes and regulations to grow the private sector
  • Wants to roll back home-construction regulations to address Maryland's housing shortage
  • Supports reverting to natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and coal power sources

Per The Baltimore Banner 2026 Voter Guide.

Biography

Jim Simpson, 74, holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Delaware and previously worked as a U.S. Department of State diplomatic security officer, per The Baltimore Banner 2026 Voter Guide, Senate District 11. Simpson is a certified pistol instructor and author, and is the Republican nominee for Maryland Senate District 11, per The Baltimore Banner 2026 Voter Guide. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 11 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shelly L. Hettleman and Jim Simpson. Candidate information follows official Baltimore County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 11 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

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

Also on your ballot
Maryland Senate District 43Maryland Senate District 44Maryland House of Delegates District 6See all 42 Baltimore County races
Candidate profiles
Shelly L. Hettleman, full profileJim Simpson, full profileOfficial Maryland election office