Carl Brunner
Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$16.1K
JUN 24, 2026Primary 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. as his lieutenant-governor running mate. He has worked in the security field since 1991 and has experience including fugitive recovery, private investigations, and firearms instruction. Brunner is also associated with Paradigm Firearms Training LLC 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 as a Republican candidate in Maryland’s June 23 gubernatorial primary, where election officials are now sending corrected mail-in ballots after a vendor coding error. Republican candidates, including Brunner, have criticized the mistake and called for more transparency. He is also being covered in the broader Maryland GOP debate over taxes, immigration-related police funding, and voter registration rules.
Maryland State Board of Elections starts sending out corrected mail-in ballots after error
Here's what you need to know to vote in Maryland | 2026 Md. Election Guide
Maryland budget amendment ties police funding to immigration policy compliance
Data center expansion looms over midterm elections
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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