Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$22.6K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFarmer
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationMaryland
BackgroundFarmer
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Notable personal detailsKurt Wedekind is a Maryland businessman and farmer from Carroll County who filed as a Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland in the 2026 election cycle. He has been associated with Wedekind Farms and with Arbor Valley Construction & Supply, a Woodbine, Maryland-based construction and supply business founded by Kurt and Laurie Wedekind. Maryland State Board of Elections records show his 2026 gubernatorial candidacy status as disqualified, with Shannon Wright listed as related and later withdrawn.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting or eliminating taxes (including property and personal taxes), reducing government spending and fees, and conducting audits to remove waste and improve accountability. Favors lowering the cost of living through energy independence and removing regulatory restrictions to reduce costs. Emphasis is on tax cuts, spending reduction, and smaller government involvement in the economy.
Healthcare
Supports reducing regulatory requirements that raise insurance premiums and limiting healthcare costs; emphasizes improving health outcomes but frames solutions around lowering government spending and preventing non-citizen access to state-funded care. Policy language favors market-oriented fixes rather than expanded public coverage.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes restricting state support for unauthorized immigrants (for example, opposing use of Maryland taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants) and frames immigration as a cost/public-safety concern. Policy language focuses on limiting public benefits and strengthening public safety rather than proposing expanded legal pathways or broad regularization.
Climate & Energy
Advocates for energy independence and producing reliable, affordable power within Maryland; emphasizes lowering costs and jobs from in-state energy production and frames energy as part of reducing government burdens. No explicit support for aggressive emissions targets, Green New Deal–style policies, or binding climate agreements is stated on campaign materials reviewed.
News
Kurt Wedekind is in the news as Maryland’s gubernatorial primary approaches, with the election set for June 23 and ballot deadlines already underway. Recent coverage around the race has focused on Maryland Republicans’ push for a more centrist, problem-solving message as they try to improve their statewide prospects. The broader political backdrop includes voter concern about the cost of living, debate over taxes and gas prices, and controversy over a ballot error that led officials to resend mail-in ballots.
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New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising