Who's running in Maryland's 3rd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Sarah Elfreth currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Protecting federal employees from DOGE-driven layoffs, including through her Protect Our Probationary Employees Act.
Protecting the Chesapeake Bay, including a new law to combat invasive blue catfish.
Lowering the costs of child care, housing, groceries and energy through the Lowering Costs Caucus.
Responsible permitting reform that does not let the administration cancel clean energy projects.
A collaborative, anti-divisive style of legislating.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Maryland's 3rd District since January 2025.
Maryland State Senate, District 30, for six years; chaired a budget subcommittee; says she passed 91 bipartisan bills.
Member of the House Armed Services Committee; vice ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Says five of her bills were signed into law in her first term and her office resolved more than 1,775 constituent cases.
Won the 2024 primary with more than $4.2 million in outside support from AIPAC's super PAC; in 2025 voted against a bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court, drawing public disappointment from AIPAC.
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 74.7%.
Had $335,826 in campaign cash as of June 30, 2026.
Arguments in favor
She brings a results-focused style — 'politicians should take a hippocratic oath to not divide' — that produced five bills signed into law in a triple-minority, a perfect first-year voting attendance record, 24 town halls, and more than $2.3 million returned to constituents.
— Sarah Elfreth, Baltimore Sun and Capital Gazette voter guide
Representing more than 45,000 federal employees, she introduced the first bipartisan bill to protect federal workers from indiscriminate DOGE cuts.
— Sarah Elfreth, Baltimore Sun and Capital Gazette voter guide
Arguments against
Her campaign was propelled by more than $4.2 million from AIPAC's super PAC in 2024, which rival candidates including Harry Dunn cast as outside money shaping the race — and AIPAC itself has since publicly rebuked her for breaking with it on the ICC sanctions vote.
— Jewish Insider reporting, including statement by AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann
Current leadership has failed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis — especially housing and energy — and excessive federal spending has driven inflation that hits working people hardest.
— Berney Flowers, Republican opponent, Baltimore Sun voter guide
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC material naming Elfreth in 2026 could be found; the district is not on its target list.
Criticism from her 2026 Democratic primary challengers could not be read directly.
Whether Elfreth will debate Flowers had not been reported.
Tackling the cost of living, especially housing supply and energy prices.
Fiscal discipline and binding federal budget caps, cutting with 'a scalpel, not a sledgehammer'.
Term limits.
Education reform and infrastructure renewal.
Congress reasserting itself against executive-branch regulatory overreach.
Improving neighbourhood public safety.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel with nearly 21 years of service; former civil servant in defence and cybersecurity.
Harvard cybersecurity certificate (2020).
Previous congressional candidate in Maryland.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary with 48.9% over John White, Ray Bly and Felix Seier.
Raised $9,860 through June 30, 2026, with $2,016 on hand.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He is 'not a career politician' but a veteran, father and public servant answering a call to serve again, who believes people must come before politics: 'The American Way is under attack. I will defend our country. I will defend Maryland.'
— Berney Flowers campaign site
Arguments against
He had raised under $10,000 by mid-year against an incumbent with more than $1 million raised, in a district forecasters rate safe Democratic.
— Federal Election Commission filings; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Flowers by name could be found — not from Elfreth's campaign, the DCCC, or Baltimore-area coverage.
Many of his questionnaire answers were brief headline statements without detailed proposals.
Whether he will debate Elfreth had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Maryland held its primaries on June 23, 2026. Two candidates are on the November ballot: Democratic incumbent Sarah Elfreth, who won her primary with 74.7% over four challengers, and Republican Berney Flowers, who won a four-way primary with 48.9%. The roster is confirmed against the Maryland State Board of Elections' 2026 general election candidate list, and candidates appear here in the order the Board lists them. The district is centred on Anne Arundel and Howard counties, including Annapolis. Forecasters rate it safe Democratic. As of June 30, 2026 Elfreth had $335,826 on hand after raising $1.14 million; Flowers had raised $9,860.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Maryland ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Maryland State Board of Elections.