The Ballot Brief
Baltimore County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 8

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Carl Jackson and Yahu Blackwell. Candidate information follows official Baltimore County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Carl Jackson (Democratic), Yahu Blackwell (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 8; Carl Jackson 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, Carl Jackson, is on the ballot.

Maryland › Baltimore County › Maryland Senate District 8

Carl Jackson

Carl Jackson

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Work to lower costs and prevent utility rate increases
  • Fund school infrastructure repairs and invest in teacher compensation
  • Hold utilities and large technology companies accountable on consumer and privacy issues

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jackson is a Baltimore County native who currently serves as District 8's state senator, describing his career as centered on listening to residents and turning concerns into action, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Yahu Blackwell

Republican

Top priorities
  • Making Maryland more affordable by addressing housing, utility, health care and education costs
  • Converting public schools toward trade-focused, workforce-ready education
  • Supporting small businesses with funding, grants and streamlined regulations

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Blackwell is a former professional boxing champion turned entrepreneur who owns several franchise businesses, including Rita's Italian Ice and Auntie Anne's Pretzels locations, and launched his own energy drink brand, HEWALE, per the campaign site. He describes himself as a community advocate whose family has roots in Maryland going back to the Civil War era, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotMaryland Senate District 10

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 8 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Carl Jackson and Yahu Blackwell. Candidate information follows official Baltimore County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 8 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.

The rest of your Baltimore County ballot

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 11Maryland Senate District 42Maryland Senate District 43See all 42 Baltimore County races
Candidate profiles
Carl Jackson, full profileYahu Blackwell, full profileOfficial Maryland election office