Prediction Edge
Republican
Ed Hale

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.

SourcesShow

Positions

LiberalConservative

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

AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026

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.

cbsnews.com+34

Endorsements

Maryland Republican Governor nominee?

Endorsers of Ed Hale for Maryland Republican Governor nominee?

Justin Ready

Elected official

Justin Ready endorsed Ed Hale for governor

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J.B. Jennings

Elected official

J.B. Jennings endorsed Ed Hale for governor

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Stephen S. Hershey Jr.

Elected official

Stephen S. Hershey Jr. endorsed Ed Hale for governor

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New updates coming soon

We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.

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