Carroll County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 42

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 42 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Stephanie Popescu and Kevin Ford. Candidate information follows official Carroll County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Stephanie Popescu (Democratic), Kevin Ford (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 42. Not on the November ballot: Chris West, the sitting member per the 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.

Maryland › Carroll County › Maryland Senate District 42

Stephanie Popescu

Democratic

Top priorities

Wants to support business growth and job creation
Wants to address the rising cost of groceries, housing and childcare
Wants to strengthen schools and ensure community safety

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Stephanie Popescu is a public school teacher and small business owner who has said she worked three jobs early in her career to make ends meet while teaching, per Campaign site, stephaniepopescu.com. Popescu is the Democratic nominee for Maryland Senate District 42, representing communities from Towson and Lutherville to Cockeysville and Hampstead, per Campaign site, stephaniepopescu.com.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Kevin Ford

Republican

Top priorities

Vote against new taxes and work to reduce government spending
Protect District 42's farmland and support the region's agricultural way of life
Support parental involvement in children's education

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ford is a professional firefighter, farmer and small business owner running for Maryland Senate District 42, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotMaryland House of Delegates District 5

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 42 in 2026?

When is the Maryland Senate District 42 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 Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Carroll County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Maryland House of Delegates District 42C Maryland Senate District 5 See all 4 Carroll County races

Candidate profiles

Stephanie Popescu, full profile Kevin Ford, full profile Official Maryland election office