Adam Wood, the executive director of the Maryland GOP, has filed to run for state Senate District 42, which encompasses parts of Carroll and Baltimore counties.
Wood’s entry into the race means the June 2026 Republican primary for District 42 will be contested. Two Republican candidates have filed for the seat, and both have secured key endorsements from experienced local officials.
In a Monday news release, Wood said he aims to protect parental and property rights, restore affordability, and bring conservative representation to the General Assembly. He told The Baltimore Sun he plans to introduce a voter identification bill on day one if elected.
“I am running for the state Senate because the people of Baltimore County and Carroll County deserve strong, effective, conservative leadership,” Wood said. “We have had enough of Democrats in Annapolis ignoring us and making life in Maryland unaffordable. Governor Moore and his willing partners in the General Assembly are running a war against the suburbs and rural Marylanders.”
Wood, who lives in Cockeysville, has secured endorsements from three current delegates from Carroll and Baltimore counties to Annapolis — Sen. Justin Ready, Del. Chris Tomlinson and Sen. Chris West.
West served as a state delegate from 2015 to 2018 and was elected as the District 42 senator in 2019. He announced in 2023 that he would not seek reelection.
“It would be hard to imagine any candidate better suited to follow me in the State Senate than Adam Wood,” West said in the news release. “He has considerable, successful legislative experience, considerable, successful campaign experience, longstanding personal relationships with key public officials in Maryland and a dedication to the best interests of the residents of Baltimore and Carroll Counties. He has my enthusiastic endorsement.”
Wood was also endorsed by Nicolee Ambrose, a former Republican candidate for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District. Wood served as Ambrose’s campaign manager in 2022. He also previously managed congressional campaigns for Sandy Roberson and Renee Elmers, both North Carolina Republicans.
Wood has served as executive director of the Maryland GOP since January 2023.
One other Republican candidate, Kevin Ford, has filed to run for the District 42 seat. Ford is a fire lieutenant for the Baltimore County Fire Department. He announced his run alongside Del. Nino Mangione, the District 42A representative who is running for reelection, and Patrick Dyer, a candidate for Baltimore County executive.
No Democrats have filed in the race yet. The filing deadline is Feb. 24.
Wood told The Sun that opposing the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project and lowering energy prices are among his top priorities. His news release heavily criticized Gov. Wes Moore and the Democratic majority in Annapolis for “[making] life harder every day.”
“Not only do we have Democrat legislators who feel they do not need to listen to us, we have a hyper-partisan governor who explicitly says he does not care about us,” Wood said in the news release. “I have the experience, skills, and determination to give our area the representation it deserves.”
Have a news tip? Contact Lily Carey at LCarey@baltsun.com.
