--- title: "Raskin vs. Riley: 2026 Maryland’s 8th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-md-08" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Maryland’s 8th District race: Jamie Raskin (D) vs. Cheryl Riley (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Incumbent Democrat Jamie Raskin faces Republican challenger Cheryl Riley in Maryland's 8th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. Raskin, a five-term incumbent and former law professor, centers his campaign on democracy defense, progressive economic policy, and gun control. Riley, a public relations executive running an 'America First' platform, emphasizes public safety, tax relief, border security, and parental rights. ## Candidates - **Jamie Raskin** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://jamieraskin.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) - **Cheryl Riley** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cheryl_Riley) ## Issues ### Democracy and Election Reform Salience: high Raskin advocates for expanding federal voting rights and campaign finance reform while opposing strict voter registration barriers, whereas Riley stresses constitutional limits on federal power and opposes progressive political movements. **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.” > — Jamie Raskin, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) ### Economy, Inflation, and Taxes Salience: high Raskin prioritizes raising wages and defending union rights through federal policy, while Riley focuses on cutting taxes and deregulating businesses to stimulate economic growth. **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.” > — Jamie Raskin, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cheryl_Riley) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: medium Riley demands completely sealed borders and stricter deportation rules, whereas Raskin votes against Republican border enforcement and deportation bills. **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) ### Gun Policy and Second Amendment Salience: medium Raskin leads efforts to enact stricter gun control laws, while Riley pledges to block new restrictions and defend Second Amendment rights. **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.” > — Jamie Raskin, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) ### Climate Change and Energy Salience: medium Raskin supports carbon taxes and renewable energy investments to curb climate change, whereas Riley advocates unleashing domestic energy production to drive down prices. **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.” > — Jamie Raskin, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) ### Education and Parental Rights Salience: medium Riley advocates for parental control and removing perceived ideological indoctrination from schools, whereas Raskin votes against federal restrictions targeting transgender students. **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, via [Campaign site](https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/) ### Crime and Public Safety Salience: high Riley explicitly commits to unbridling police officers to combat rising crime, whereas Raskin's provided platform materials do not outline a specific law enforcement agenda. **Jamie Raskin:** No documented position in our sources **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cheryl_Riley) ### Reproductive Rights Salience: medium Raskin strongly supports federal abortion access and reproductive healthcare funding, while Riley's campaign sources do not state an explicit position on abortion. **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” > — Jamie Raskin, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jamie_Raskin) **Cheryl Riley:** No documented position in our sources ### Housing Salience: low Riley explicitly pledges to expand viable affordable housing options, whereas Raskin's provided campaign documents do not detail a specific housing proposal. **Jamie Raskin:** No documented position in our sources **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, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cheryl_Riley) ### Substance Abuse and Drug Crisis Salience: low Riley proposes addressing the opioid and drug crisis through police partnerships, whereas Raskin's provided platform materials do not outline a standalone drug crisis platform. **Jamie Raskin:** No documented position in our sources **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.” > — Cheryl Riley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cheryl_Riley) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/md-08-house-election-winner) — MD-08 House Election Winner: Democrats 97.8%, Republicans 1.8% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-MD08-26) — MD-08 House winner?: Jamie Raskin 98.1%, Cheryl Riley 1.1% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-md-08)