Leonardtown, Md. — Michael R. Alderson Jr., the current St. Mary’s County Commissioner for District 3, announced his bid for re-election on September 16, 2025, as an Unaffiliated/Independent candidate. Due to his status as a federal employee, Alderson must comply with the Hatch Act, a federal law restricting partisan political activity, requiring him to run without party affiliation and collect at least 1,000 signatures to secure a spot on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot. He shared his campaign kickoff at the St. Mary’s County Fair, engaging voters directly to gather petition signatures.
Alderson, who has served District 3 since December 5, 2022, highlighted his commitment to open and fair elections in a social media post, urging supporters to sign his petition at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown. “I will be at the fair today with my petition forms, so if you see me, please think about adding your name to the list of Marylanders who support open and fair elections in our state,” Alderson wrote. The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, bars federal employees from running as partisan candidates, prompting Alderson’s shift from his 2022 Republican candidacy to an independent run this cycle.
To qualify for the ballot, Maryland election law requires unaffiliated candidates for county offices to submit a petition with signatures from at least 1 percent of eligible voters in the district, or roughly 1,000 signatures for District 3, based on St. Mary’s County’s voter rolls. The petition, along with a certificate of candidacy, a financial disclosure form, and a $50 filing fee, must be filed with the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections by July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Unlike party candidates, independents face no primary election but must meet this signature threshold to appear on the general election ballot. The financial disclosure, covering the prior calendar year, requires notarization and is typically accepted by the election board, though submitted to the Maryland State Ethics Commission.
Alderson’s 2022 campaign saw him compete in the Republican primary for District 3 against Dawn Murphy and Elizabeth O’Connor, advancing to the general election on November 8, 2022, where he secured the seat. His current term includes roles as 1st Vice-Chair of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and a member of the Board of Health and the Historic St. Mary’s City Fort to 400 Commission, tasked with planning Maryland’s 400th anniversary celebration in 2034. A lifelong St. Mary’s resident born in 1969 at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Alderson graduated from Great Mills High School in 1987 and served as a U.S. Marine Corps LAV-25 gunner during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He and his wife, Andrea, reside in Coltons Point with their sons, Sean and Andrew.
His community involvement spans decades, from coaching youth soccer in the Northern Soccer League to serving as president of the 7th District Optimist Club, where he chaired events like the Blessing of the Fleet. These ties resonate in District 3, covering southern areas like St. George’s Island and Ridge, where fishing and tourism shape the economy. St. Mary’s County, with a population of about 113,000, relies on commissioners to oversee budgets, land use, and public services, including the county’s 2025 allocation of $320 million for schools, roads, and emergency services.
The Hatch Act’s restrictions, enforced by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, limit Alderson’s campaign to nonpartisan appeals, barring endorsements from political parties or use of federal resources. This shift challenges his outreach in a county where 52 percent of voters backed Republicans in the 2022 midterms, per Maryland State Board of Elections data. Still, Alderson’s fair appearance leveraged local traditions — the fair, held annually since 1947, draws thousands to Leonardtown for agriculture displays and community events, offering a prime venue for petition signatures.
Maryland’s election process, governed by the State Board of Elections, ensures transparency through voter registration access and campaign finance reporting. Candidates like Alderson must file periodic disclosures, with deadlines starting January 15, 2026, for the 2025 annual report. The board’s website, elections.maryland.gov, provides petition forms and voter data, noting St. Mary’s had 78,462 registered voters as of August 2025. District 3’s roughly 20,000 eligible voters mean Alderson needs signatures from about 5 percent to meet the threshold.
In Southern Maryland, where rural communities value direct engagement, Alderson’s strategy hinges on face-to-face outreach. The fair, held September 18-21, 2025, at the county fairgrounds off Route 5, offered a platform to connect with residents from Hollywood to Scotland. Local election history shows competitive races: in 2022, District 3’s primary saw a 28 percent turnout, with Alderson edging out rivals. His independent run may shift dynamics, as unaffiliated candidates often draw crossover voters in a county split 40 percent Republican, 35 percent Democratic, and 25 percent unaffiliated.
The commissioner role, with a four-year term, involves five elected officials managing St. Mary’s $280 million operating budget and policies like the 2024 zoning overhaul to preserve farmland. Alderson’s tenure has focused on infrastructure, supporting $12 million in road improvements along Route 235 in 2024. His campaign site, www.aldersonforbocc.com, details priorities like economic growth and public safety, key for a county with Naval Air Station Patuxent River employing 22,000.
As the July 2026 deadline nears, Alderson’s petition drive will test voter support. Southern Maryland’s political landscape, shaped by its Chesapeake Bay heritage and military presence, favors candidates with local roots. Alderson’s military service and Optimist Club leadership align with community values, though his independent status may require broader appeal to overcome partisan leanings. The election, set for November 3, 2026, follows early voting from October 22 to October 29, with mail-in ballots due by November 3.
