The Ballot Brief
Frederick County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 5

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Foote and Justin Ready. Candidate information follows official Frederick County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Gary Foote (Democratic), Justin Ready (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 5; Justin Ready is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Not on the November ballot: Justin Ready, 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. The sitting officeholder, Justin Ready, is on the ballot.

Maryland › Frederick County › Maryland Senate District 5

Gary Foote

Democratic

Top priorities
  • education funding and equitable resource allocation
  • community health assessments and access to services
  • funding for police, fire and EMS services

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Gary Foote has worked for 34 years as a teacher in Carroll County Schools and is running for Maryland Senate District 5, per the campaign site.

Justin Ready

Justin Ready

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Opposes wasteful government spending
  • Supports reducing the tax burden
  • Supports local control of public education

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ready works as a regional sales strategist for a marketing firm and previously served in the House of Delegates and as executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, per the campaign site. He is a graduate of Salisbury University who moved to Carroll County from Mississippi as a child, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotMaryland House of Delegates District 2A

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 5 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Foote and Justin Ready. Candidate information follows official Frederick County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 5 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 Frederick 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 Frederick 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 Frederick County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Frederick County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Maryland House of Delegates District 3Maryland House of Delegates District 4Maryland House of Delegates District 5See all 8 Frederick County races
Candidate profiles
Gary Foote, full profileJustin Ready, full profileOfficial Maryland election office