House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Heidi Buchanan Schmidt — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  Heidi Buchanan Schmidt is a Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in Legislative District 31. A Pasadena resident, she is a small business owner with over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications. In 2020, she founded her own business to help small and mid-sized companies enhance their online presence. Her community service includes serving on the board of the Pasadena Business Association as a board member, secretary, and vice president. Schmidt also represents District 31 on the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee. Her platform prioritizes supporting small businesses, quality education, affordability for working families, and local infrastructure improvements.

• Joan Barone Cole — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  Joan Barone Cole is a Democratic candidate running for the Maryland House of Delegates to represent Legislative District 31. A resident of Millersville, Cole is a first-generation college graduate who also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her professional background is primarily in customer service. An active community advocate, Cole serves as the Anne Arundel County Co-Lead for Moms Demand Action, a role in which she advocates for gun safety legislation. Originally from Rochester, New York, she and her family moved to Maryland in 2019. She states her motivation for entering politics is a desire to serve her community and a concern for the nation's current direction.

• Ryan Kelly Shaban — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  Ryan Kelly Shaban is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Maryland House of Delegates to represent Legislative District 31. This district is located in Anne Arundel County and includes the communities of Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold. As a member of the House of Delegates, Shaban would serve in the lower chamber of the Maryland General Assembly, the state's legislative branch. Delegates are responsible for proposing, debating, and voting on legislation that impacts all Marylanders. They serve four-year terms and work on a wide array of policy areas, including the state budget, education, transportation, and public safety for the residents of their district and the state at large.

• LaToya Marie Caldwell-Nkongolo — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  LaToya Marie Caldwell-Nkongolo is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 31. Appointed by the Governor of Maryland, she assumed office on January 10, 2025. An established mental health expert and entrepreneur, Caldwell-Nkongolo is a small business owner who has been actively involved in the Anne Arundel County community for nearly two decades. Her extensive academic background includes a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore, a Master of Science in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College, and a Bachelor of Arts in social work from Delaware State University. She is running for re-election to the Maryland House of Delegates.

• Brian A. Chisholm — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  Brian A. Chisholm is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 31. First elected in 2018, he assumed office on January 9, 2019. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 7, 1970, Chisholm graduated from Severna Park High School before earning a degree in marketing from Clemson University. His professional background is in business, where he worked as a mortgage banker and owns a commercial and real estate investment company. Within the legislature, he serves as the Assistant Minority Whip and is a member of the Maryland House Freedom Caucus. Chisholm is married and has one child.

• Mike Jacobs — House of Delegates in Legislative District 31, Maryland

  Mike Jacobs is a Republican candidate seeking election to the Maryland House of Delegates in Legislative District 31. A lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County, Jacobs is a small-business owner with deep community ties. His extensive volunteer work includes serving as the President of the Lake Shore Athletic Association and dedicating over 25 years to coaching youth sports. His prior experience in public service includes a 2014 candidacy for the Orphans Court of Anne Arundel County. For the 2026 election, Jacobs is running as part of a Republican slate, with a platform focused on strengthening public safety, improving education, and supporting local small businesses.