Republican Dan Cox is making a second bid for Maryland governor, campaigning on tax cuts, affordable housing and lower energy costs ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election.

Cox, an attorney and former state delegate from Frederick County, faces Democrat Wes Moore, along with Cathy White of the Working Class Party and Steven Ellis of the Green Party. His running mate for lieutenant governor is Rob Krop, according to Maryland Matters.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Maryland Governor
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Running mate: Rob Krop
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in government, University of Maryland (2002); juris doctor, Regent University (2006)
  • Family: Father of 10

Experience and public service

Cox served in the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 4 from 2019 to 2023, according to BallotReady profile data. Before entering politics, he worked as a high school teacher at Walkersville Christian Family Schools from 1995 to 2005, according to Ballotpedia. He then practiced as a civil litigation attorney at the Law Offices of John Seipp from 2006 to 2007. He has been principal at Cox Law Center, LLC, since 2007. He has 10 children.

On the issues

The positions below are drawn from Cox's campaign website and his responses submitted via BallotReady. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Taxes and budget

Cox says burdensome property, estate and income taxes pressure retirees to leave Maryland, and he wants to change that. He calls the state one of the highest-taxed in America. Cox says he would prioritize state spending to give counties relief from state mandates and cost increases. He says the current governor has raised taxes and fees to fund projects voters never agreed to, and that by prioritizing careful spending, the state can reduce and eliminate taxes and fees, according to his campaign's BallotReady responses.

Housing

Cox says he plans what he calls an aggressive affordability program. That includes considering mortgage down-payment assistance and tax credits for first-time and young home buyers, reducing building costs and permitting requirements, and increasing tax write-offs for home building and renovation, according to his campaign responses. He also says he would push to limit, cap and, where possible, eliminate property taxes for seniors. Cox says affordable housing is key to keeping young families in Maryland.

Economy

Cox says he believes in creating opportunities where every Marylander has a fair shot at success and where taxes, fees and the cost of living are slashed, according to his campaign website.

Energy and environment

Cox says he would expand household energy competition, provide immediate incentives for reopening or redesigning Maryland power plants with clean liquefied natural gas and study small modular reactors for the state. He says the Moore administration's closure of power plants has forced the state to buy electricity from other states, driving up rates, according to his campaign responses.

Border security and immigration

Cox says he supports securing borders to combat fentanyl trafficking and preserve community resources, according to his campaign website.

This profile is based on Cox's campaign website and his responses submitted via BallotReady.