State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Adam Wood — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Adam Wood, a Republican from Cockeysville, is a candidate for the Maryland State Senate in District 42. With a decade of policy experience on Capitol Hill, Wood previously held the position of Executive Director for the Maryland Republican Party. His campaign platform focuses on several key areas, including healthcare, technology policy, agriculture, education, and public safety. Wood has also addressed matters concerning election integrity in Maryland. He is one of three contenders in the Republican primary and is running on a platform he describes as "honest, transparent, effective leadership," aiming to bring his policy background to the state legislature.

• Paul Henderson — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Paul Henderson is a Democratic candidate for the Maryland State Senate in Legislative District 42. A lifelong Maryland resident, he has lived in the district for 35 years. Henderson has over three decades of experience as an educator, having worked with students in Baltimore County Public Schools, Loyola Blakefield, and the Community College of Baltimore County. He currently teaches at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center. His campaign platform focuses on strengthening families, supporting workers, and maintaining affordability through policies aimed at increasing housing supply, making childcare more accessible, and pursuing clean energy. He is a graduate of Loyola Blakefield, Washington College, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

• Paul V. Konka — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Paul V. Konka is a Democratic candidate for the Maryland State Senate in Legislative District 42. A retired U.S. Navy Captain with 24 years of military service, Konka has also pursued a career in education, working as a teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland University College. His diverse professional background includes experience as a Supervisory Accountant, Contracting Officer, Management Consultant, and Computer Programmer and Analyst. Konka previously ran for public office in the 2022 general election for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 42A. He is currently a candidate in the Democratic primary.

• Stephanie Popescu — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Stephanie Popescu has formally declared her candidacy for the Maryland State Senate, where she is running to represent the constituents of Legislative District 42. As a member of the Democratic Party, she is preparing for the upcoming primary election, which is officially scheduled to be held on June 23, 2026. The Democratic primary for this district is shaping up to be a competitive contest, with Ms. Popescu being one of at least three candidates vying for the party's nomination. The general election for this seat is notable because it is an open contest, a result of the incumbent Republican senator's decision to retire and not seek re-election, which presents an opportunity for a change in party representation for the district.

• Kevin Ford — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Kevin Ford is a Republican candidate running for the Maryland State Senate to represent Legislative District 42. His professional experience includes work as a professional firefighter, farmer, and small business owner. Ford's campaign platform focuses on several key issues, including the implementation of lower taxes, a reduction in government spending, the enhancement of public safety measures, and the protection of parental rights. The race for this seat does not feature an incumbent. The Republican primary is scheduled to take place on June 23, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026. Ford's political positions are informed by his stated values of family, hard work, and community service.

• Matt Fox — State Senator in Legislative District 42, Maryland

  Matt Fox is a Republican candidate for the Maryland State Senate in Legislative District 42. With over 25 years of experience as a firefighter in Baltimore County, his career in public service began as a volunteer in 1990 before he joined the professional fire department in 1999. In addition to his work as a first responder, Fox is a small business owner. His campaign platform is based on conservative values, with a primary focus on public safety and agricultural advocacy within the state. A father of four, Fox also has a background that includes involvement with the 4-H youth development program, connecting him to the interests of working families in his district.