Maryland — 8th District

Jamie Raskin

Supports voting expansion and campaign reform

Raskin positions himself as a leading constitutional defender, advocating for comprehensive campaign finance reform, expanding voting access, and countering big money in politics. He founded the Democracy Summer project to train young organizers and voted against the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

• Founded Democracy Summer to train young political organizers and leaders.
• Supports a constitutional amendment or legislation to overturn Citizens United.
• Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal election registration.

“Jamie is a champion of sweeping campaign finance reform, a powerful defender of voting rights, and a passionate critic of Citizens United and the Roberts Court’s systematic deregulation of big money in politics.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports constitutionalism and anti-socialism

Riley advocates for strict constitutionalism and opposes what she describes as democratic socialism and radical agendas. She pledges to promote limited government and fight policies favoring non-citizens.

• Pledges to defend the U.S. Constitution and promote limited government.
• Opposes 'Democratic Socialism' and what she characterizes as radical 'America Last' policies.

“Without freedom, there is no America, period. We are the greatest country on Earth because we believe in limited government, personal choice, and personal responsibility.”

Jamie Raskin

Supports living wages and worker rights

Raskin focuses on raising the federal minimum wage to a living wage and expanding worker organizing rights. He consistently votes against Republican spending cuts and tax measures, including the 2025 reconciliation bill.

• Advocates for a true living wage and raising the federal minimum wage.
• Supports strengthening labor laws to protect workers' rights to unionize.
• Voted Nay on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) reconciliation package.

“Jamie wants to increase the minimum wage and will fight for a true living wage for all American workers.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports tax cuts and deregulation

Riley promises to cut taxes and eliminate burdensome regulations that she argues drive businesses away and fuel inflation. She advocates for pro-growth business policies prioritizing American workers.

• Pledges to end overbearing tax burdens on Maryland residents.
• Promotes pro-growth policies to protect domestic businesses and curb inflation.

“I will end the over-bearing tax burden placed on our residents by democrats and help lift everyone into prosperity.”

Jamie Raskin

Opposes restrictive border enforcement bills

Raskin opposes Republican immigration enforcement bills, voting against measures that expand detention mandatory criteria or mandate state authority to sue federal enforcement agencies.

• Voted Nay on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) mandating detention for certain offenses.
• Voted Nay on H.R. 875 regarding deportation for driving under the influence.

Cheryl Riley

Supports sealed borders and strict enforcement

Riley calls for sealing the U.S. border as part of an 'America First' platform. She argues current Democratic policies prioritize undocumented immigrants over American citizens.

• Demands completely sealed national borders.
• Opposes government spending and benefits allocated to undocumented immigrants.

“America First means sealed borders, unleashed energy for jobs and lower costs here in Maryland, and parents' rights to real education—history and excellence, not lunacy.”

Jamie Raskin

Supports strict gun control measures

Raskin has a long track record of advocating for strict gun regulations and confronting gun lobby organizations like the NRA. As a Maryland state senator, he helped craft and pass landmark state gun safety legislation.

• Co-authored Maryland's 2013 Firearms Safety Act.
• Champions federal gun control measures to combat firearm violence.

“In the Maryland Senate, Jamie has been an effective and unafraid leader on gun control.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports Second Amendment protection

Riley promises to defend Second Amendment rights against federal restrictions, standing firmly against new gun control legislation.

• Pledges unwavering defense of the Second Amendment.

“As your unbreakable Congresswoman, I'll defend the Constitution, our Second Amendment, veterans, and law enforcement.”

Jamie Raskin

Supports carbon pricing and clean energy

Raskin advocates for clean energy investments in wind and solar power alongside a market-based carbon tax to curb emissions. He opposes Republican measures aimed at expanding domestic fossil fuel extraction.

• Champions a sweeping carbon tax to put a price on carbon emissions.
• Supports federal investments in renewable technologies like solar and wind.
• Voted Nay on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1).

“In Congress, Jamie will work to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow and halt climate change while investing in alternative clean energy technologies like solar and wind power that will permit us to break our dangerous carbon addiction.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports unleashing domestic fossil fuel energy

Riley advocates for unleashing domestic energy production to lower utility costs and spur job growth across Maryland.

• Supports boosting domestic energy production to lower household costs.

“America First means sealed borders, unleashed energy for jobs and lower costs here in Maryland, and parents' rights to real education—history and excellence, not lunacy.”

Jamie Raskin

Opposes restrictions on LGBTQ+ students

Raskin defends public education and opposes conservative restrictions on school curricula and student participation. He voted against legislation prohibiting transgender girls from competing in public school sports.

• Voted Nay on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28).

Cheryl Riley

Supports parental rights and traditional curriculum

Riley criticizes public schools for ideological indoctrination and champions parents' rights. She advocates returning public school curricula to core academic subjects and patriotic history.

• Demands an end to ideological indoctrination in public schools.
• Promotes parents' rights and patriotic educational standards focusing on excellence.

“failing schools peddling indoctrination, crushing taxes, surging crime, and policies favoring illegals over hardworking Americans.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports unbridling police and law enforcement

Riley makes crime reduction her top campaign priority, arguing that state and county restrictions have hampered law enforcement. She pledges unyielding support for police officers to restore community safety.

• Pledges to remove restrictions on police officers to allow aggressive crime enforcement.
• Prioritizes public safety for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.

“Crime has taken a stranglehold on our county and our state. I will push to unbridle our dedicated police officers from the crippling restrictions placed on them by the corrupt democrats.”

Jamie Raskin

Supports federal abortion rights

Raskin is a staunch defender of reproductive rights and abortion access, earning endorsements from major advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL.

• Fought to defend Medicaid funding for medically necessary abortions in Maryland.
• Maintains a 100% pro-choice voting record.

“He is 100% pro-choice and has been an indispensable ally of Maryland NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU”

Cheryl Riley

Supports affordable housing options

Riley includes affordable housing in her platform, calling for viable housing solutions accessible to all county and district residents.

• Proposes creating viable housing options to support affordable housing.

“Viable housing options will be created to support affordable housing for ALL residents.”

Cheryl Riley

Supports law-enforcement-partnered drug solutions

Riley promises to address the drug crisis plaguing the district by partnering directly with police forces and state and local officials.

• Pledges to collaborate with police and local leaders on effective addiction solutions.

“I will work with our dedicated police force as well as state and local officials to create EFFECTIVE solutions to the drug crisis plaguing our district.”