The Ballot Brief
Kent County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 36

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nivek Johnson and Steve Hershey. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Nivek Johnson (Democratic), Steve Hershey (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 36. Not on the November ballot: Stephen S., Jr. Hershey, Stephen S., Jr. Hershey, sitting members 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 › Kent County › Maryland Senate District 36

Nivek Johnson

Democratic

Top priorities
  • expanding reliable transportation in rural communities
  • increasing affordable housing and utility assistance programs
  • supporting economic development and entrepreneurship

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Nivek M. Johnson is an educator from Chestertown, Maryland running for Maryland Senate District 36, per the campaign site. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Salisbury University and a Master of Education from Bowie State University, and works as an Information Technology and Computer Science educator with Montgomery County Public Schools, per the campaign site. He previously served as the youngest elected member, and later Vice Chair, of the Kent County Board of Education, per the campaign site. He serves on the Maryland State Public Information Act Compliance Board and has been appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's counties, per the campaign site.

Steve Hershey

Republican

Top priorities
  • Pushes for balanced budgets and reduced wasteful spending
  • Supports pro-growth policies that reduce regulations for small businesses and family farms
  • Focuses on lowering costs for families on taxes, utilities and groceries

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Hershey is an engineer and business professional who has served more than 15 years in the Maryland Senate representing Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne's counties, per the campaign site. He is the Senate Minority Leader and previously served as Senate Republican Whip and ranking member of the Finance Committee, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotMaryland House of Delegates District 36

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 36 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nivek Johnson and Steve Hershey. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 36 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 Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Kent County ballot

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

See all 2 Kent County races
Candidate profiles
Nivek Johnson, full profileSteve Hershey, full profileOfficial Maryland election office