The Ballot Brief
Montgomery County, Maryland

Maryland Senate District 17

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cheryl C. Kagan and Helene Meister. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Cheryl C. Kagan (Democratic), Helene Meister (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Maryland Senate District 17; Cheryl C. Kagan 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, Cheryl C. Kagan, is on the ballot.

Maryland › Montgomery County › Maryland Senate District 17

Cheryl C. Kagan

Cheryl C. Kagan

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Advance a statewide AI powered 3-1-1 system to ease pressure on 911 centers
  • Support clean energy investments to reduce utility bills
  • Expand ballot access and improve polling place safety

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kagan taught state and local government at Montgomery College and served two terms in the House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003 before becoming founding executive director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation and later director of community engagement for BBYO, per the campaign site. She holds a political science degree from Vassar College and graduate public policy training from the University of Maryland, and has served in the Senate since 2015, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Helene Meister

Republican

Top priorities
  • Emphasizes disciplined, forward-looking fiscal management for Maryland's budget challenges
  • Wants to address rising energy costs burdening families
  • Proposes phasing in the Blueprint for Maryland's Future gradually, including income-based eligibility for universal pre-K

Per The Baltimore Banner 2026 Voter Guide.

Biography

Helene Meister, 54, holds a Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law along with multiple advanced degrees in taxation and public finance, and has worked as a tax manager for a technology company and a law clerk at the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, per The Baltimore Banner 2026 Voter Guide, Senate District 17. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotMaryland Senate District 18

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Maryland Senate District 17 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Maryland Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cheryl C. Kagan and Helene Meister. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Maryland Senate District 17 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Montgomery County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Montgomery County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Maryland Senate District 19Maryland Senate District 20Maryland Senate District 39See all 36 Montgomery County races
Candidate profiles
Cheryl C. Kagan, full profileHelene Meister, full profileOfficial Maryland election office