Cathy Permut is running for Maryland lieutenant governor as the Working Class Party candidate in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She joins gubernatorial candidate Cathy White on the ticket.

Asked why she is running, Permut said in our candidate questionnaire: "Working people, the majority, have no voice in the US political system. The two big parties only represent the rich, the corporations, and not not not the population. I am one of the volunteers to help put a third party on the ballot so others can, with their votes for us, show they are fed up with what is going on."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I am the lieutenant governor candidate for Working Class Party. Working Class Party is on the ballot in Maryland and Michigan. This party proposes that working people can make a start by ignoring the big parties, both of which have ignored us for more than 150 years. The money in this society less and less goes to the needs of the population for good schools, good health care, good roads and bridges. It flows to companies, bankers, developers, and we are forced to make do. …"

Jurisdiction: Baltimore City, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections candidate list.

Filing date: Permut filed as a party-designated candidate on June 22, 2026, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Ballot access: The Working Class Party collected more than 12,000 signatures to secure a spot on the 2026 general election ballot, as WTOP reported.

Other candidates in this race: Aruna Miller (Democratic), Owen Silverman Andrews (Green) and Rob Krop (Republican), according to BallotReady election data.

Occupation: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I taught remedial math for many decades; the majority of working class students do not get a good math education, yet it is needed to prepare for a number of decent jobs and to run one's own life with some understanding of finances, especially how many ways a buyer can get screwed by a seller."

Education: Permut said in our questionnaire: "Like the majority of teachers, I have a bachelors and a masters. But there is another kind of education that comes from living and working and solving the problems we all face. And that kind of education is shared by most adults, and it is what makes society work."

Family: Permut said in our questionnaire: "Like most women and some men, my family has people who need care, whether due to poor health or handicaps. It is a constant pressure on family members, and society offers no good ways to deal with the sick, the elderly, the disabled -- unless you have a ton of money."

Experience and public service

Previous elected or appointed office: Permut said in our questionnaire: "not since high school."

Government connections: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I have a family member in another state who works for a sub-contractor working on prosthetics for the military."

On the issues

Critical differences from other candidates: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I am a candidate who thinks all politicians should be accountable for how our tax dollars are spent. Many politicians in this state ignore that part of their work. I have nothing to say about other candidates, they can speak for themselves."

Accomplishments as evidence for the job: Permut said in our questionnaire: "In my opinion, women do far more than half the work of society. Most of us have full-time jobs (though I am currently retired). We are the ones who care for family members, we are the ones who oversee our kids' homework and social activities and use of media. We are the volunteers who make community and charitable organizations work. We are usually good organizers. And we don't mind asking for assistance, which every person needs at different times."

Specific responsibilities and measuring success: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I think every department head should first open the books and explain how the money is spent. I think all forms of media should report to citizens the results. That is one way to start."

Best advice received: Permut said in our questionnaire: "I like my mother's advice: 'you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.'"