Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Ashanti Martinez, Maryland House of Delegates District 22

Ashanti Martinez (he/him) is a gay Afro-Latino millennial representative in Maryland’s House of Delegates. Active in politics from his early teenage years, Ashanti comes from a working-class family in Prince George’s County, a majority-Black county outside of Washington, DC. Ashanti attended Howard University, and is passionate about LGBTQ rights, universal healthcare, gun control, and the environment.

Where are you based?
Prince George’s County, Maryland.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
I proudly serve as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 22 in Prince George’s County.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
My platform is centered on expanding opportunity and improving quality of life for working families. That means making healthcare more affordable and accessible, investing in public education, protecting immigrant communities, advancing economic justice, and ensuring every Marylander has the opportunity to thrive regardless of their zip code, income, or background.

What inspired you to run?
I deeply believed Marylanders needed a working-class champion in the legislature. I wanted someone at the table who understood the everyday challenges facing families because I have lived many of those experiences myself. I also believed our district deserved bold, responsive leadership that was willing to challenge the status quo and fight for transformative change.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I want to help build communities where everyone feels they belong and have the opportunity to succeed. That means creating an economy that works for working people, protecting the dignity and rights of all communities, investing in education and public health, and restoring people’s faith that government can be a force for good in their lives.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I have served in the Maryland House of Delegates since February 2023.

During my time in office, I have been proud to deliver meaningful results for Marylanders. I successfully passed legislation to prohibit arbitrary insurance time limits on anesthesia coverage, increased nursing home transparency and accountability, and advanced initiatives to improve Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

I have also helped secure millions of dollars in state investment for District 22 communities, including school construction, healthcare infrastructure, parks, and local improvement projects. Additionally, I was honored to become the youngest House Majority Whip in Maryland history and the first openly LGBTQ person to serve in that leadership role.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Economic inequality remains one of the defining challenges of our time. Working families continue to struggle with rising costs while the wealthiest individuals and corporations accumulate unprecedented wealth.

I believe it is time for wealthy individuals and large corporations to pay their fair share so we can make meaningful investments in our communities. For the past three legislative sessions, I have introduced legislation to tax social media giants and use those revenues to fund youth mental health services in Maryland. Innovative policies like these can help address both our fiscal challenges and the growing mental health crisis among young people.

I also believe we must continue investing in affordable healthcare, public education, and programs that expand economic mobility for working families.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
America cannot fully heal without honestly confronting its history. The legacy of enslavement and systemic inequities continues to shape our communities today.

I believe the work of truth-telling, repair, and reconciliation is essential to building a more united future. Maryland’s Reparations Commission provides an opportunity to have difficult but necessary conversations about our shared history and to develop thoughtful recommendations for how we move forward together. Unity does not come from ignoring our differences; it comes from acknowledging them and doing the work to build a more just society.

At the local level, I believe deeply in meeting people where they are, listening with empathy, and finding common ground around the shared desire for safe communities, good schools, economic opportunity, and dignity for every family.

How do you see your unique identity and background as an asset to you in office?
Lived experience is the bedrock of meaningful change. Coming to the halls of power with a nontraditional background allows me to approach policy challenges from a different perspective than many who have traditionally held positions of power.

As the first openly LGBTQ State Delegate from Prince George’s County and the first Latino elected from my district to serve in Annapolis, I bring perspectives and experiences that had long been missing from those conversations. My identity has never been a limitation; it has been a strength that allows me to build bridges, advocate for historically underrepresented communities, and ensure more Marylanders see themselves reflected in their government.

What is your motto in life?
“Don’t make a drama out of your dramas.”

Life will always present challenges and setbacks. What matters is how we respond to them. I strive to remain future-focused and solution-oriented, recognizing that progress comes from meeting difficulties with resilience, perspective, and a commitment to moving forward.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can learn more about my work at MartinezForMaryland.com and follow me on social media at @AshantiFMartinez on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.