Despite election win, new MD Democratic Party chair can’t take over just yet

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The Maryland Democratic Party has elected Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman as its next chair, but he can’t yet assume the role.

Pittman must close out his personal campaign account before taking over as chair, which state law requires. State central committee members expect that Pittman will close his account by the end of June, according to a news release.

Pittman ran uncontested for the role after Gov. Wes Moore recommended him to replace outgoing chair Ken Ulman, who stepped down on June 13 after serving since late 2023.

The party’s first vice chair and current acting chair, Charlene Dukes, reportedly didn’t have an interest in seeking the role after Ulman’s departure. Dukes is expected to remain as the acting chair until Pittman is cleared to take over.

In a statement released after the central committee’s unanimous vote for Pittman, Dukes called him “the best choice to chair the party,” citing his track record of winning races in a purple part of the state.

Pittman, a Davidsonville native who was first elected as the Anne Arundel County executive in 2018, is term limited and cannot seek reelection for the county executive seat in 2026.

He’s expected to assume the role of party chair as he finishes out the remainder of his term in office, which ends in December 2026.

In his recommendation for Ulman’s successor, Moore said that Pittman is “the right leader for this moment.

“With an all out assault on our state and our values underway from Washington D.C., I know Steuart Pittman will put his experience and moral clarity to work to defend our state, fight back against the Trump administration, and ensure Democrats win elections,” he said in a previous statement.

Pittman will help steer state Democrats through the upcoming gubernatorial election cycle, which will include Moore’s expected reelection bid. Democrats, who have about twice the number of registered voters as Republicans in the state, are also hoping to defend their supermajorities in the legislature and maintain control of the offices of the comptroller and attorney general.

Despite a brutal 2024 for the party nationally, Maryland Democrats enjoyed success in the last election, led by then-Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks defeating former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan to replace Ben Cardin in the U.S. Senate.