By Michael Phillips
In a state dominated by one-party rule, Andy Ellis is offering something Marylanders don’t often get: a genuine alternative.
Ellis, a longtime Maryland resident, debate coach, and civic advocate, is the Green Party’s 2026 gubernatorial candidate. He’s not naive about the odds—but he’s deeply serious about the mission.
“The best outcome would be to win,” Ellis admits, “but even if we don’t, we can reshape the conversation.”
The Long Game: Building Democracy One Percent at a Time
For Ellis, the campaign is about much more than this election cycle. Under Maryland law, the Green Party needs 1% of the vote in a statewide race to maintain ballot access—something Ellis sees not as a burden, but as a mandate for change.
“Getting that one percent ensures we stay on the ballot,” he says. “That’s good for democracy, and good for Maryland.”
He’s aiming higher, though. His goal? 100,000 votes—a record-breaking benchmark for any third-party candidate in the state.
Grounded Values, Not Corporate Dollars
What sets Ellis apart is his commitment to principles rarely seen in mainstream campaigns.
“We don’t take money from PACs or corporations. No billionaire backers. Just working people,” Ellis emphasizes.
The Green Party, he says, is grounded in four core values: justice, peace, democracy, and ecological wisdom. And while environmentalism is often assumed to be the party’s only focus, Ellis makes it clear that fighting corruption, reforming education, and rebuilding trust in government are just as central.
A Coach at Heart, A Listener by Nature
Ellis describes himself as someone who thrives in mentorship and collaboration.
“If voters could see me in action—as a coach, a mentor—they’d see I’m all about helping others rise,” he shares.
That same approach informs his campaigning style: rather than parachuting in with prepackaged policies, he prefers to show up and listen. From Cumberland to Salisbury, Ellis has made it a point to meet people where they are.
“You can’t fix what you don’t understand,” he says. “You’ve got to get on the ground.”
Serious About Systems Change
Ellis is sharply critical of Maryland’s supermajority-driven legislature, calling out gerrymandering and the way it stifles competition.
“People think elections matter—but in many parts of Maryland, the outcomes are pre-decided. That’s not democracy,” he says.
He supports implementing citizen-led ballot initiatives, expanding independent access to primaries, and making third-party candidacies more viable. In his words, “You don’t have to win to create change—but you do have to run.”
A Realistic Idealist
He’s honest about what he doesn’t know (like the ins and outs of family court) and committed to learning more.
“I don’t have all the answers on that yet—but I’m going to spend this summer learning,” he says, in a rare moment of political humility.
A Voice for Those Left Out
Ellis sees himself fighting for Marylanders who’ve been locked out by both major parties—disconnected Democrats in Baltimore, frustrated Republicans in Western Maryland, and unaffiliated independents statewide.
“A lot of people are just dealing with high prices and high taxes and getting none of the benefits of living in a wealthy state,” he notes.
Final Word? Ellis isn’t just asking for votes—he’s asking Marylanders to believe in a different kind of politics. One where people, not parties, set the agenda.
“If all I do is return some power to the people,” he says, “I’ll have done something worth remembering.”
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