St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced on February 18, 2026, in Leonardtown that she is seeking reelection to a second term, committing to sustained aggressive prosecution of violent crime and continued office reforms to enhance public safety across Southern Maryland.
Sterling, a Republican and the first woman elected to the position in county history, filed her candidacy earlier in February, as confirmed through public records and social media endorsements. She won her initial term in the 2022 election with 70 percent of the vote in the Republican primary, defeating incumbent Richard Fritz, and took office on January 3, 2023.
With more than 17 years of prosecutorial experience, Sterling previously served as Deputy State’s Attorney and Chief of Staff in the St. Mary’s County office before a stint prosecuting violent crimes and serious drug offenses in Anne Arundel County. Her 2022 campaign emphasized restoring integrity, rebuilding public trust, and prioritizing victim-centered justice following concerns about prior office practices.
During her first term, Sterling focused on prosecuting violent crime, drug dealing, drunk driving, domestic violence, sex offenses, and repeat offenders, leading to higher conviction rates and tougher sentences while maintaining fairness. She established a Victim/Witness Services Unit to assist crime victims navigating the justice system, implemented modern case-management systems for better efficiency and law enforcement coordination, and created an Evidence Review Unit utilizing technology to strengthen prosecutions.
Sterling secured record grant funding to support these initiatives, ensuring fiscal responsibility. She has advocated for legislative changes in Annapolis to bolster protections for crime victims statewide and locally.
A long-time St. Mary’s County resident, Sterling highlighted her deep community ties and understanding of local challenges. “The people of our county deserve a State’s Attorney who is independent, ethical, and focused solely on justice,” Sterling said. “My commitment remains the same today as it was when I first ran for this office, to put public safety first and to serve our community with integrity.”
Her leadership has drawn praise, including from former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who posted on February 17, 2026: “Couldn’t be prouder of my daughter, Jaymi, as she files for a second term as State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County. She’s worked tirelessly every day to keep families safe and stand up for victims. St. Mary’s is safer and stronger because of the job she and her team have done.”
Sterling’s reelection bid aligns with ongoing efforts to address crime trends in St. Mary’s County, including recent high-profile convictions such as a 35-year sentence for rape in October 2025 and a 40-year term in a child abuse case in November 2025, as announced by her office.
The 2026 election for State’s Attorney falls on November 3, with the primary on June 23. No challengers have emerged in major reports yet, though the filing period remains open for local races. Sterling’s campaign website promotes continued support through donations and social media engagement.
To learn more or follow the campaign, visit jaymisterling.com, facebook.com/StatesAttorneyJaymiSterling, or instagram.com/jaymisterling.
