John A. Myrick
Republican | Maryland
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John A. Myrick
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Excelsior College, Albany, NY, Bachelor of Science, -2021
Buxton University, London, U.K., Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies, -2004
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Air Force Reserve, SMSgt, 1985-2008
Federal Contractor, Senior Strategic Advisor, 2021-2026
Federal Contractor, National Security Consultant, 2013-2026
U.S. Government, Senior Intelligence/Counterintelligence Officer, 2000-2013
Harford County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff, -
AFFILIATIONS
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Life Member, American Legion
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NONE
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Governor of Maryland, -2026
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Veterans for America First VFAF Veterans for Trump
Montgomery County Republican Party MCGOP
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Haven Shoemaker
Gail Bates
James DeWees
Chuck Jenkins
Veterans for America First
OTHER INFORMATION
"DEBATE on the ISSUES" - 2026 Maryland Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debate from Metro Conservative Media, March 26, 2026.
Topics include How do you plan to win; Budget, Taxes and the Economy; Public Safety and Criminal Justice; Federal Government Workforce Reduction; Cooperation with the Federal Government; Redistricting; Housing Affordability; Outflow of Population and Businesses; and Reducing the Budget Deficit.
Maryland Republican Primary Governor Debate from WBFF Fox45, Baltimore. April 23, 2026.
Topics include Budget and Taxes, Energy, Juvenile Crime, Immigration Enforcement, the Maryland Economy, and Population Loss.
John A. Myrick completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
While the Maryland Constitution now guarantees a women's right to elective abortions, I do not believe that these procedures should be funded by the taxpayers. While Maryland Statute requires that the State fund abortions in certain cases, We can and will level the playing field. We will fund alternative to abortion service providers at the same level as we statutorily must fund abortion service providers. Alternative to abortion centers currently receive no State funding.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
The Maryland Constitution now guarantees a women's right to elective abortions. As Governor, I will have to uphold the Maryland Constitution, regardless of my personal opinion.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
We are a nation of laws. Federal Statutes must be enforced, or they are meaningless.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I believe that the current minimum wage in Maryland is sufficient. Any increases in the minimum wage should be tied the rate of inflation.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
We believe in the free market system, and in private property rights. We plan to lower the current corporate tax rate from 8.5% (second highest in the nation) to 5.0%. This will incentivize businesses to relocate here and will allow existing businesses additional capital for expansion. We will also protect private property rights and will terminate the Piedmont Reliability Project.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
We will establish an independent Office of the Inspector General to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse; and to refer any such cases to the proper State or Federal authorities for prosecution. We will require all State agencies to use a centralized procurement system, which will add cost savings to purchasing oversight. We will audit every State Department and Agency using an outside auditing firm.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
That term is not found anywhere in either the Declaration of Independence, or the U.S. Constitution. It is also not found in the Maryland Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees that the government will not establish any laws that favor one religion over another. Maryland was founded as a religious freedom colony, and we will ensure that Marylander have the freedom to worship as they see fit.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Business owners have the Constitutional right to refuse service when it violates their religious or moral beliefs. Government has no right to force a business to provide services that violate the owner's beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The relationship between the U.S. and Israel is vital to both our national security interests. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and has been a staunch ally since its modern creation in 1948. We also have a moral obligation to protect and defend Israel.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
It is my belief that Sanctuary Cities are a violation of federal law. We will introduce legislation to eliminate Sanctuary Cities/Counties in Maryland.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Education is best served at the State and local levels. Prior to the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. ranked 1st in education. Since it's establishment in 1980, the U.S. now ranks 47th in education. Clearly, the creation of a federal Department did not improve or even maintain our standing. We will restore control of most educational issues to the elected local Boards of Education.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
There is absolutely no need for foreign funding of the American educational system.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
We are strong proponents of Parental Rights. Parents have a Constitutionally-protected right to raise their children - including in the areas of health & education. I was honored to have written a Brief in support of the Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor in 2025. In this case, these Plaintiffs won a lawsuit against the Montgomery County Board of Education that restored parental op-out options for material which the parents found morally or religiously objectionable.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
State-sanctioned gambling has proven to be detrimental to the moral fabric of Maryland. It has also not produced the tax revenue expected when it was authorized. The existing lottery system, horse racing industries, and limited casino venues within Maryland are sufficient.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Raised Catholic, I believe in the tenants of Christian faith and try to live my life in a manner consistent with those beliefs. I believe that all Marylanders have the God-given right to worship as they deem appropriate.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo Identification is required to purchase alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, even lottery ticket and OTC cold & flu medication. Why would anyone have an issue with showing a photo ID to engage in the most important function of a U.S. Citizen - to cast a ballot?
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The time for Reparations has long-since past. No one alive today was ever enslaved in this country, and no one alive today ever enslaved another human being. In this country, we do not penalize people for the sins of their ancestors. Additionally, how do we determine who would be eligible, and who would pay? Many Marylanders emigrated AFTER the Civil War. Why should they be force to pay for an activity in which their families had no part? Character and ability should be all that matter now.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
There are only 2 sexes - Male and Female - and they each have their own spaces and sports.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
"Climate Change" has been occurring on Earth since the beginning of time - long before human walked this planet. That being stated, we do have a responsibility to be good stewards of the planet, and should take steps to protect our environment. This does not, however, require urgent political action.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe that the use of Modular Nuclear Technology will meet and potentially exceed the growing demand for electricity. I also believe that we need to retrofit existing dormant power plants to burn clean natural gas until we build these reactors.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the criminal justice system is to protect law-abiding citizens from those who disregard our legal and societal norms.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
We all have a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. has a legal framework that has been the norm for 250 years. Any deviation from this is unconstitutional and cannot be allowed.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe in the Constitution - all of it - and the 2nd Amendment is fairly clear. That having been stated, there are individuals who should not be allowed to possess firearms - convicted felons and those that have committed violent misdemeanors, those that commit Domestic Violence, and the mentally ill. We also need to ensure that gun owners are properly trained to use, maintain, and store their weapons.
