2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ashley Emerick and Mike McKay. Candidate information follows official Garrett County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
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.
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 › Garrett County › Maryland Senate District 1
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
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.
Republican Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
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.
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 Garrett 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 Garrett 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.
Candidate roster from official Garrett 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 Garrett County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
2 tracked races in Garrett County, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.