Calvert County attorney Jason Fowler filed paperwork Friday to challenge incumbent Sen. Kevin Harris in the Democratic primary for Maryland Senate District 27, taking his bid directly to voters after being passed over for appointment to the seat in November.
The district spans parts of Charles, Calvert and Prince George’s counties. Fowler, 37, announced his candidacy for the June 23, 2026, Democratic primary after the three county Democratic central committees selected Harris to fill the vacancy created when former Sen. Michael Jackson resigned Nov. 11 to become Maryland State Police superintendent. Gov. Wes Moore appointed Harris shortly after the committees’ votes, which gave Harris support across all three counties.
Fowler, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the District 27C House seat in Calvert County in 2018, said he could not remain on the sidelines amid what he described as an affordability crisis gripping Maryland residents and the state. “Too many people have been priced out of our state. We’re a high-taxed state with some of the most expensive housing, energy costs, grocery prices in the country,” Fowler said in a recent interview. He criticized the legislative process in Annapolis, stating, “One of the main problems that we see in Annapolis, there is not vigorous debate over policy. It’s people just voting on bills without either reading them or thinking about the long-term effects of these policies.”
Harris, a delegate representing District 27A (parts of Charles and Prince George’s counties), secured the appointment after strong backing from Democratic central committees in Charles, Prince George’s and Calvert counties. In Charles County, the committee voted overwhelmingly for Harris on Nov. 22, 2025. Prince George’s followed suit shortly after. Gov. Moore formally appointed Harris on Dec. 8, 2025.
Fowler and Del. Jeffrie Long Jr. (D-Prince George’s and Calvert) were the other candidates who sought the appointment to replace Jackson. The central committees’ process favored Harris, leading to his selection and subsequent appointment.
Fowler’s entry sets up a competitive Democratic primary in District 27, where affordability, taxes and legislative accountability are emerging as key issues. Harris has begun engaging with the district, including a tour of Calvert County infrastructure sites such as the Constellation Clean Energy Center and Cove Point LNG in early January 2026.
The race highlights ongoing dynamics in Southern Maryland politics, where appointments to fill vacancies often draw challengers who turn to the ballot box. Fowler’s campaign focuses on bringing more debate and scrutiny to state policy decisions affecting housing, energy and living costs.