House of Delegates in Legislative District 18, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Aaron M. Kaufman — House of Delegates in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Aaron M. Kaufman is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Legislative District 18. A lifelong resident of the district, Kaufman is a disability rights advocate and the first member of the Maryland General Assembly with a physical disability. He was sworn into office on January 11, 2023. His educational background includes graduating from Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in American studies. Prior to his election, Kaufman's professional experience included working as an administrative assistant for the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee and as a senior manager of legislative affairs at the Jewish Federations of North America.

• Emily Shetty — House of Delegates in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Emily Shetty is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Legislative District 18 in Montgomery County since her inauguration on January 9, 2019. An attorney by profession, Shetty holds a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America. Before her election to the state legislature, she gained significant experience in legislative affairs, serving as a legislative director for a U.S. Congressman and as a senior director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In the House of Delegates, she holds the leadership position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Appropriations Committee. Her legislative priorities have centered on healthcare, sponsoring key legislation aimed at improving organ donation processes and lowering prescription drug costs.

• Jared Solomon — House of Delegates in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Jared Solomon is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 18. First elected in 2018, he was sworn into office on January 9, 2019, and is currently serving his second term. Within the legislature, Solomon serves as the Deputy Speaker Pro Tem and is a member of the Appropriations Committee. His policy focuses include education, transportation, environmental issues, and online safety for children. Before his election, Solomon was a high school social studies teacher and later a senior policy advisor to U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. He is a member of the Maryland Transit Caucus, as well as an associate member of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus and the Women Legislators of Maryland.

• Kate Stein — House of Delegates in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Kate Stein is a Democratic candidate running for the Maryland House of Delegates in Legislative District 18. She is competing in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026. Stein's platform focuses on dignity, fairness, family, and community. She has stated that past legislative decisions created false choices between issues like environmental protection and energy needs, or economic development and social infrastructure. Stein advocates for policies to ensure stable access to affordable housing, healthcare, and quality education. Her priorities also include the availability of decent jobs and the ability for residents to retire securely in their communities.