Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$74.9K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age58 years old (Oct 2, 1967)
GenderMale
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LocationMaryland
BackgroundState delegate
EducationHoward High School (Ellicott City, Maryland), 1985
Notable personal detailsChristopher Eric Bouchat is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 5 (Frederick and Carroll Counties). He previously served on the Carroll County Board of County Commissioners and is the founder and chair of Bouchat Industries, Inc. His education includes vocational training in welding and studies in business administration and political science.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax reductions including a proposal to replace Maryland’s current tax structure with a 3% flat tax on income, capital gains, and sales and has sponsored bills to cut income and sales tax rates. Has also cosponsored legislation to reduce corporate income tax rates. These positions emphasize large, across-the-board tax rate cuts and smaller government revenue.
Healthcare
Opposes government-imposed COVID-19 mandates (masks and vaccine requirements) and emphasizes individual choice and limited government in public-health measures. Positions favor personal freedom over mandates and align with a limited-government approach to health policy. No sources found indicating support for major public expansions like a public option or single-payer.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate opposed legislation that would prohibit counties from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE and framed the bill as prioritizing concerns of undocumented immigrants over Maryland public safety, signaling support for local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and stronger enforcement measures.
Climate & Energy
The candidate supports rolling back or eliminating Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) and has sponsored legislation to repeal the program and/or reduce related fees. His public comments frame the program as outdated, costly to taxpayers, and unnecessary given modern vehicle manufacturing. He emphasizes reducing regulatory costs rather than pursuing stronger emissions regulation through state testing programs.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has sponsored and cosponsored legislation that expands firearm rights (bills described as protecting the right to purchase/possess/carry firearms) and backed measures favored by gun-rights advocates. Legislative activity shows support for loosening restrictions on who may buy/possess/carry firearms and for bills addressing business signage related to firearms policies. These actions indicate a pro-Second Amendment, pro-carry orientation while still participating in the legislative process rather than explicitly advocating maximal deregulatory positions in available sources.
News
Christopher Bouchat is in the news as a Maryland Republican candidate ahead of the June 23 primary, with the race still unsettled and the party’s gubernatorial nominee not yet decided. The primary has also been affected by a mail-in ballot error, prompting corrected ballots and criticism from some Republican candidates. More broadly, the campaign is unfolding amid voter concern about the cost of living and other state policy fights.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising