The Ballot Brief
Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery State's Attorney

One candidate is tracked for Montgomery State's Attorney on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John McCarthy. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John McCarthy (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montgomery State's Attorney, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

District attorney or prosecutor. The district attorney is the chief prosecutor for the county or judicial district. The office decides which criminal charges to file, negotiates pleas, tries cases and, in many states, advises county government or handles child support and juvenile matters. The office sets local charging and diversion policies within state law.

This race. Every voter in Montgomery County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, John McCarthy, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Maryland › Montgomery County › Montgomery State's Attorney

John McCarthy

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Mental health courts and truancy court programs
  • Domestic violence victim support through the Family Justice Center

Per the montgomerycountymd.gov.

Biography

Montgomery County State's Attorney since 1999, first elected after decades as a career prosecutor with the office since 1982; holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore, per montgomerycountymd.gov. Established the office's Gang Prosecution Unit and helped establish the county's Mental Health Court, per montgomerycountymd.gov. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for John McCarthy.

Next on your ballotMontgomery Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Montgomery State's Attorney in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Montgomery State's Attorney on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John McCarthy. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Montgomery State's Attorney 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
Montgomery Register of WillsMontgomery SheriffMontgomery Board of Education At LargeSee all 36 Montgomery County races
Candidate profiles
John McCarthy, full profileOfficial Maryland election office