The annual Maryland Association of Counties summer conference has evolved into several things over the years.

It’s a forum for wonky discussions about near- and long-term policy and budgetary challenges. An opportunity for local bureaucrats to network and refresh their professional skills and credentials. A venue for vendors to peddle their services to government procurement officers. A chance for the governor to report to his fellow policymakers.

And it’s become party central, with a dizzying array of round-the-clock fundraisers, receptions and other social gatherings at bars and restaurants throughout Ocean City.

But at its most basic level, MACo is the biggest gathering of Maryland’s political clan of the year. So with the critical 2026 elections just around the corner, the political landscape is sure to be Topic A as Maryland leaders descend on the state’s top resort town for sand, surf, strategizing and soothsaying.

At first glance, 2026 in Maryland appears to be a sleepier and less consequential cycle than the historic election of 2022, when there were vacancies for all four statewide offices – governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller and attorney general – and voters chose trailblazers for each position.

All four – Gov. Wes Moore (D) and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D), along with Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) and Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) – are early favorites for reelection. Some may have no serious opposition at all.

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