Rob Krop, a Frederick County real estate broker and small-business owner, is the Republican nominee for Maryland lieutenant governor. He is running alongside gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, a statewide race that will appear before Potomac-area voters.
Krop has never held elected office. He won the Republican primary on June 23 with 43.3% of the vote, receiving 89,982 votes in a nine-candidate field, according to election results tracked by Wikipedia. He said he is running because he believes Maryland "can do better for working families, small businesses, and the next generation."
"Like parents across Maryland, we want our children to grow up in a state where they can afford to buy a home, find meaningful work … and build a future," Krop said in his candidate questionnaire.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Frederick County, Maryland
- Occupation: Real estate broker and small-business owner
- Family: Married to Steph for 19 years; four children
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, Liberty University (2007); homeschooled through high school
- Church: First Baptist Church of Green Valley
Experience and public service
Krop has spent nearly two decades in real estate. He currently works as a real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty Centre and leads the Rob Krop Team, which he said has served more than 1,000 clients. He also owns Key City Property Management, which manages residential properties in Frederick County and the surrounding area.
In 2015, Krop co-founded The Machine Gun Nest, an indoor shooting range in Frederick. He previously served as broker and owner at Remax Plus from 2010 to 2019.
Krop said he has no family members who work in politics or government. He described his background as entirely private-sector, saying his career has given him experience in housing, property management, business operations, budgeting and regulatory compliance.
He also disclosed that he spent more than two years defending himself and his businesses through a federal prosecution that ended in his acquittal by a jury. He said that experience tested his leadership and his willingness to stand for what he believes is right.
On the issues
Housing affordability and property taxes: Krop said he supports ensuring that property taxes cannot be assessed higher than the price paid for a home. He said homeowners should not be taxed on unrealized gains, a position he said comes from watching families struggle with rising tax assessments over his two decades in real estate.
Cost of living and fiscal policy: Krop said Maryland is losing residents because of high taxes, rising energy costs, constant fees and a government that spends without accountability. He supports cutting unnecessary taxes and fees, restoring fiscal discipline, prioritizing infrastructure and pursuing low-cost energy solutions.
Second Amendment and gun laws: Krop said his top priority is restoring constitutional rights and bringing what he called common sense back to Maryland's gun laws. He supports eliminating the Maryland handgun roster, repealing the Handgun Qualification License (HQL), ending the magazine capacity ban and repealing the assault weapons ban.
Role of lieutenant governor: Krop said he would focus on housing affordability, small-business growth, government accountability and reducing regulatory barriers. He said success should be measured by whether Marylanders keep more of what they earn and whether businesses are expanding in the state rather than leaving.
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