Maryland’s 4th District House Race 2026

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said Thursday he would "absolutely sign" a statewide moratorium on new data center development if it reached his desk, though he stressed local jurisdictions should retain say over such decisions. Thirteen of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, including Baltimore and Montgomery and Prince George's counties, have already imposed temporary bans amid resident concerns over housing and utility costs.

Moore's comments add to a growing wave of pushback against data center expansion tied to the AI boom. New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland also backed a moratorium, citing environmental concerns and calling for centers to build their own renewable power. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed regulators to penalize data centers violating water-use rules. At the federal level, Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked a GOP bill on data center electricity costs, calling it insufficient. President Trump has urged data centers to cover their own power and water costs but criticized New York's moratorium, warning it risks losing AI investment to China.

The Department of Justice has sued Maryland, Attorney General Anthony Brown, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, and Prince George's and Montgomery counties over laws banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks or face coverings while on duty. The state law, effective October 1, includes limited exceptions for undercover work, weather, and health reasons, and requires officers to display visible identification. Violations are treated as civil offenses carrying fines up to $1,500, a structure adopted after federal judges struck down similar criminal-penalty mask bans elsewhere. Montgomery and Prince George's counties passed comparable local laws in the spring.

The DOJ argues the laws unconstitutionally regulate federal officers under the Supremacy Clause and endanger ICE agents by exposing them to doxxing, harassment, and violence amid the administration's immigration crackdown. Officials including Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said only the federal government can dictate equipment for federal officers on duty. Maryland officials, including House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Montgomery County Councilmember William Jawando, say the laws promote transparency and accountability and vow to defend them. Maryland is the eighth state the DOJ has sued over similar laws, following suits in New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee.

DOJ sues Maryland and two counties over laws barring masks for federal law enforcement, citing risks to ICE officers.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the "No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act," legislation that would prohibit permanent fencing around the Capitol complex. The move comes years after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack led officials to erect a temporary security fence, which stood for about six months and prompted discussion at the time of making a permanent barrier part of broader security upgrades.

Norton, who has long opposed a permanent fence, argued it would send "an un-American message" by turning the Capitol into a fortress rather than addressing actual security threats, and called instead for investment in intelligence, technology and training. She also cited potential disruption to surrounding residential neighborhoods and businesses, noting that streets were blocked and residents forced onto alternate routes after Jan. 6. Van Hollen said the Capitol can be protected "without walling it off to the public." Norton is retiring at the end of her current term.

A D.C. Superior Court judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the felony property destruction charge "with prejudice," blocking U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office from refiling the case even under continued political pressure from President Trump. Edelman wrote that the government "shot first and asked questions later" in pursuing a "lightning-fast indictment," and said any possibility of future prosecution was "theoretical at best."

Pirro had already moved to drop the charge in July after new evidence from the Interior Department indicated Hearn was not responsible for the pool's damaged lining, attributing it instead to a botched contractor installation rushed ahead of the America 250 celebration. Trump publicly criticized Pirro over the decision, saying she "folded like an umbrella," while Interior Secretary Doug Burgum continued to back claims of vandalism. Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympian, said he had merely touched a loose piece of the pool's coating during a bike ride before complying with a park worker's instruction to let go. His attorneys called the dismissal a vindication after what they described as an unjust prosecution.

A D.C. Superior Court judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the case "with prejudice," blocking U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office from refiling the felony property destruction charge, which had carried a maximum 10-year sentence.

Pirro's office had already dropped the charge in July after the Interior Department produced evidence that damage to the pool's lining came from a botched contractor installation rushed ahead of the America 250 celebration, not from Hearn. Despite that, Trump administration officials continued to accuse Hearn, with Trump publicly criticizing Pirro over the decision. Edelman said the government "shot first and asked questions later" and ruled that permanent dismissal was needed to shield Hearn from renewed prosecution under political pressure. Hearn's attorneys called the ruling a win for the rule of law and for "an innocent American seeking justice."

A D.C. Superior Court judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the case "with prejudice," blocking U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office from refiling the felony charge, which originally carried up to 10 years in prison.

Pirro dropped the case in July after the Interior Department produced evidence that damage to the pool's lining resulted from a botched contractor installation rushed ahead of the America 250 celebration, not vandalism by Hearn. President Trump publicly criticized Pirro over the decision, prompting concerns she could face pressure to revive the charge. Edelman cited those political pressures in ruling the dismissal permanent, saying prosecutors had "shot first and asked questions later" in a rushed indictment process.

Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympian, said he had merely touched a loose piece of the pool's coating during a bike ride before complying with a park worker's instruction to let go. His attorneys called the ruling a vindication of due process.

A pivotal Prince George's County Council vote set for Monday could clear the way for up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to finance infrastructure for a proposed $1.4 billion Sphere venue at National Harbor, a 6,000-seat version of the Las Vegas landmark. County officials say the financing relies on tax increment financing tied to future revenue in the National Harbor Development District rather than new taxes on residents.

Ahead of the vote, local officials, labor groups and business leaders are pressing for guarantees that local, minority and union workers benefit substantially from construction and permanent jobs. County Executive Aisha Braveboy highlighted the project's importance as the county recovers from federal job losses, the Six Flags closure and the Washington Commanders' departure from Landover. Officials are seeking commitments that at least 50% of workers come from county-based small businesses, with 40% reserved for minority-owned firms. Separately, Maryland Delegate Adrian Boafo criticized the lack of a Project Labor Agreement, noting one existed for the Las Vegas Sphere, and urged the council to secure stronger labor standards before approving financing.

In Washington's competitive 3rd Congressional District race, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and challenger John Braun have clashed over the safety record of Braun Northwest, the family-owned emergency vehicle manufacturer Braun leads. The dispute centers on two 2024 incidents: a worker's death, ruled accidental by inspectors, and injuries to teenage apprentices that led to citations and fines for child labor and safety violations. Gluesenkamp Perez's ads accuse Braun of inadequate response and oversight; Braun disputes the characterizations and says the company has invested heavily in safety. The deceased worker's son has publicly criticized Braun, while an injured former apprentice has defended the company. Braun Northwest was cited again this week for a separate injury.

Ahead of Ohio's Nov. 3 general election, early voting has already topped totals from the 2018 and 2022 midterms, with nearly 1.5 million ballots cast by Oct. 30 — about 907,000 in person and 580,000 by mail. Unlike past cycles, voters have shifted toward in-person early voting over mail-in ballots, which analysts attribute to convenience and distrust of postal delivery timelines. The race includes open contests for every statewide executive office plus U.S. Senate and congressional seats that could shift the balance of power in Washington.

Statewide, unaffiliated voters lead turnout, followed by registered Democrats and Republicans, though the partisan gap is narrow and varies by county. Early in-person voting ends Nov. 1, with all ballots due by 7:30 p.m. on Election Night.