John Leonard

John Leonard (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Maryland House of Delegates to represent District 2A. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a construction estimator, and have worked in the industry for 13 years; I understand how fragile large institutions really are. Even minor price fluctuations can have severe results, slight resource disruptions can be disastrous, and at the end of the day, even a minor error on my part could mean that 250+ people suddenly can't put bread on the table. I understand the true weight that small details often carry.

My wife owns and operates a small, sustainability-focused flower farm, on which we live and are currently raising our son. I can tell you two things: one, when farmers say that impacts to small businesses tend to hit them the most, they are not lying. Two, our beautiful and bountiful Earth is the greatest gift Humanity has ever been given, and we have an obligation to treat it as such.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability. Rising costs and stagnant incomes are stretching budgets to the brink, for our families, our local businesses, and our state; reckless dismantlement of Federal systems has only intensified these problems. The state needs to address this in a way that doesn't leave District 2A and our most vulnerable communities behind.Community. Local community is the center of our lives; third spaces are declining, community groups are shrinking, and everything from parks to pool halls are struggling. The state has a key role to play in supporting the infrastructures of community, through resource allocation, zoning and permitting, as well as education and outreach. Nobody should have to play soccer in the parking lot of a data center.Our Rights. Our voting rights., our Constitutional rights, our medical rights, our digital rights, our property rights. All are under attack, and the state should support us in these fights, from protecting your private data from shady overseas companies - or the growing mass surveillance apparatus here at home - to ensuring your right to plant native shrubs in your own dang backyard.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Environment, public lands management, construction and construction procurement, agriculture, digital rights and regulations, anti-corruption, resource management