
Carl Brunner
Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSecurity professional
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationMaryland
BackgroundSecurity professional
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EducationHigh school
Notable personal detailsCarl A. Brunner Jr. is a Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland in the 2026 election cycle, running with Kevin L. Rhodes Sr. for lieutenant governor. He has worked in the security field since 1991 and has experience including fugitive recovery, private investigations, and firearms instruction. He is the owner/founder of Paradigm Firearms Training in Westminster, Maryland.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports lowering taxes and policies to help small businesses, and emphasizes making Maryland more affordable through pro-growth measures. His campaign materials prioritize tax reduction and economic relief for working families and businesses.
Public Safety & Guns
Carl Brunner emphasizes support for law enforcement and frames himself as a Second Amendment advocate; his background as a firearms business owner informs a pro-gun-rights orientation while his campaign materials stress public safety and backing police. Public statements and reporting show advocacy for gun rights rather than expanded firearm restrictions.
News
Carl Brunner is in the news because he is a candidate in Maryland’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where partial and unofficial results were released after the June 23 vote. The race was also affected by a mail-in ballot vendor error that forced election officials to send corrected ballots before the primary. Earlier coverage focused on Republican criticism of Maryland policy fights and broader calls for the party to take a more centrist approach ahead of future statewide elections.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising






