Steven "Andy" Ellis is running for Maryland governor as the Green Party's candidate in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Ellis, a Baltimore resident and debate coach, is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. He faces Democrat Wes Moore, Republican Dan Cox and Working Class Party candidate Cathy White.

Candidate information

  • Name: Steven Andrew "Andy" Ellis
  • Party: Green
  • Residence: Northeast Baltimore
  • Born: July 28, 1976, in Washington, D.C.
  • Education: Towson University; University of Maryland Global Campus (business); St. Mary's College of Maryland
  • High school: Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick, Md. (class of 1994)
  • Family: Wife, Dana

Ellis has lived in Baltimore since 2005, according to his campaign biography.

Experience and public service

Ellis's career has centered on debate coaching and Green Party organizing, according to his campaign website.

He said he founded Debate Strategies LLC in 2025 and previously worked as a program coordinator at the Baltimore Urban Debate League. In 2008, Ellis said he coached Towson University to its first debate national championship. He also worked in customer service, data analytics and operational transformation at Nielsen, according to his campaign biography.

His political career spans a decade. Ellis said he ran for state delegate in Maryland's 45th District in 2018. He served as co-chair of the Baltimore City Green Party from 2015 to 2017 and co-chair of the Maryland Green Party from 2019 to 2020, according to his campaign materials. He also served as co-chair of the Green Party of the United States Accreditation Committee from 2019 to 2022 and co-chairs the national party's Coordinated Campaign Committee as of 2025.

Ellis said he chaired Baltimore for Democracy in 2024. He served as an appointed member of the Baltimore City Charter Review Commission from 2023 to 2024.

On the issues

Climate and environment: Ellis said he would declare climate, environment, energy, food and water emergencies to ensure state and local governments act with urgency.

Data centers: Ellis's platform includes a call to "Stop the Data Centers."

Education: Ellis said he wants to build out and fully fund the public education system "so it truly works for all."

Economy and social investment: Ellis said he supports developing what he calls a "solidarity economy" to spread wealth, power and opportunity. He also calls for paying reparations and investing in community-led repair and reinvestment.

Government reform: Ellis said grassroots democracy works best through organizations independent of the two-party system. He said these groups should push elected leaders to make democracy accessible and keep voters engaged beyond election season.

Candidate responses were submitted through the candidate's campaign website and BallotReady. The Bethesda Beacon presents them to help voters evaluate the race.