Ed Hale
Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$74.9K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMaryland
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BackgroundBusinessman
EducationSparrows Point High School (high school diploma, 1964)
Notable personal detailsEdwin F. Hale Sr. is a Baltimore-area businessman and former banker who founded 1st Mariner Bank in 1995 and served as its chairman and CEO until 2011. He is the owner of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and has held civic leadership roles in the Baltimore region, including chairing Visit Baltimore. In 2025, he entered Maryland electoral politics and is a Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland in the 2026 cycle, running with Tyrone Keys Jr. as his lieutenant governor nominee.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting taxes and fees, prioritizing spending reductions over tax increases, and making Maryland more business-friendly through lower corporate and income tax burdens and reduced regulation. Proposes freezing or reducing property/utility fees and rolling back specific taxes described as ‘job killers.’
Climate & Energy
Supports reopening and building fossil-fuel power plants in Maryland, keeping scheduled plant closures from proceeding, and adding nuclear generation; criticizes the state’s emphasis on green energy and frames energy policy around lowering bills and ensuring reliability.
News
Ed Hale lost the Maryland Republican gubernatorial primary to Dan Cox, who will now face Gov. Wes Moore in the general election. During the campaign, Hale focused on taxes, public safety, spending, and transparency, including calls for Moore to release his military records. Hale also accused Maryland Democrats of trying to influence the GOP primary by boosting Cox as a weaker opponent.
Cox wins Republican nomination, to face off with Moore for Maryland’s next governor
Ed Hale claims Democrats are trying to pick Republicans’ nominee to face Gov. Moore
Ed Hale to release military records, challenges Gov. Moore to do the same
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ed Hale rallies supporters at Timonium fundraiser
Endorsements
Endorsers of Ed Hale for Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
Stephen S. Hershey Jr.
Elected official
Stephen S. Hershey Jr. endorsed Ed Hale for governor
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising