Early voting will be held: Thursday, June 11, 2026 through Thursday, June 18, 2026
James B. Rutledge, III
Profile
James B. Rutledge III (Jim Rutledge) is a seasoned Maryland attorney, lifelong resident, and the Republican nominee for Attorney General of Maryland in the 2026 election. He brings over 30 years of practical legal experience, community leadership, and a commitment to public service to the race.
Background and Education
- Raised on a Harford County farm: Rutledge grew up in a hands-on environment, assisting in his father’s veterinary practice. He learned values of hard work, responsibility, and community from a young age.
- Education: North Harford High School (1979); Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia (Latin, 1983); Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law (1986). He is licensed to practice in Maryland and Georgia.
Legal Career
Rutledge has practiced law for more than three decades, representing a wide range of clients including individuals, small businesses, farmers, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and healthcare professionals.
- Early career focus: Civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts, including torts, wrongful death, contracts, divorce, estates, business disputes, fraud, anti-trust, complex commercial cases, and civil rights/constitutional law matters.
- Later emphasis: Estate planning, wills, trusts, probate administration, real estate, agricultural law, corporate/business law, and related litigation.
- He advocates for free-market principles, private property rights, state sovereignty, constitutionally limited government, the rule of law, and defense of individual liberties.
His firm, Jim Rutledge Esq LLC, is based in Bel Air, Maryland.
Community Service and Public Office
Rutledge has a strong record of local involvement:
- Elected to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners (served 2023–2025; resigned in 2025 to focus on the AG race). He focused on preserving small-town character, opposing overdevelopment, supporting adequate public facilities, and addressing traffic, schools, and safety.
- Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Harford County District and Circuit Courts (term ended 2022).
- Extensive volunteer work: Youth sports coach (lacrosse), president/vice president of Jarrettsville Lions Club, leadership roles in homeowners associations, and founding president of Bulloch County, Georgia Habitat for Humanity. He has also been active in conservation, agricultural preservation, and historic preservation efforts.
Personal life: Widower and father of two adult children (one serves in the military).
Campaign for Attorney General
As the Republican nominee (designated by the Maryland Republican Central Committee), Rutledge is challenging incumbent Democrat Anthony Brown in the November 3, 2026 general election.
His platform emphasizes refocusing the Attorney General’s office on core priorities rather than partisan politics:
- Public safety: Fighting crime at every level and supporting law enforcement.
- Protecting vulnerable populations: Combating hackers, cyber predators, and scams targeting the elderly.
- Environmental stewardship: Safeguarding clean water and the Chesapeake Bay.
- Defending rights: Upholding civil rights, the Constitution, and Maryland families.
His campaign site (electjim.com) highlights his experience as a “proven Maryland attorney” who will stand up for Marylanders with practical, on-the-ground legal knowledge.
Why a Positive Profile Fits
Rutledge represents a grounded, experienced alternative with deep Maryland roots. His career demonstrates client-focused service, litigation skills, and a commitment to conservative principles like limited government and rule of law. Supporters see him as someone who will prioritize practical governance, public safety, and local issues over national political posturing.
For more, visit his campaign site: electjim.com or law firm profile: rutledgeesq.com. Rutledge offers a solid, service-oriented profile as a candidate dedicated to Maryland values.
Anthony G. Brown
Additional Information
Anthony G. Brown (full name Anthony Gregory Brown) is the current Democratic Attorney General of Maryland (since January 2023), the state's first Black AG. He previously served as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 4th District (2017–2023), Lieutenant Governor (2007–2015), and Maryland House Delegate. He is running for re-election in 2026.
Key Criticisms and Controversies (Negative Profile)
Ethics Complaint (Ongoing as of early 2026):In January 2025, the conservative American Accountability Foundation (AAF) filed complaints with the Maryland State Ethics Commission, Board of Elections, and IRS. They alleged that a staffer in Brown's Office of the Attorney General solicited contact lists (including law firms and companies) from the Attorney General Alliance (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) for use in inviting donors to a Brown campaign fundraiser (tickets $500–$2,500). A small $46.50 in-kind contribution from the group appeared in campaign filings. Critics argue this blurs lines between public office resources and political fundraising, potentially violating ethics, campaign finance, or IRS rules for nonprofits. As of February 2026 (over a year later), no public resolution, dismissal, or findings have been announced, fueling accusations of opacity in a one-party Democratic state. Brown's office has denied wrongdoing.
Aggressive Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration:Brown has joined or led over 100 legal actions against federal policies under the second Trump administration (as of early 2026). Critics, including some Maryland Republicans (e.g., Del. Lauren Arikan), call this "political theatre" and partisan positioning rather than focused state-level enforcement. They argue it diverts resources from issues like consumer protection, utilities, housing, or local corruption amid Maryland's budget challenges.
Past Performance Criticisms (Especially as Lt. Governor):
- Health Exchange Rollout: Brown played a leading role in Maryland's Affordable Care Act exchange implementation, which faced severe criticism for a "botched" launch (low enrollment, technical failures). The state spent over $125 million on the site, faced federal scrutiny, and incurred extra Medicaid costs. Opponents highlighted this as evidence of mismanagement during his 2014 gubernatorial run.
- 2014 Gubernatorial Loss: Brown lost to Republican Larry Hogan despite Maryland's strong Democratic lean. Critics pointed to low Black voter turnout, perceptions of him as a continuation of unpopular O'Malley policies (e.g., taxes, crime), and campaign missteps. Hogan campaigned heavily on the "rain tax" (stormwater fees) tied to the administration.
- Qualifications Questioned in 2022 AG Race: Opponent Katie Curran O'Malley ran ads noting Brown (a Harvard-educated lawyer) had never tried a criminal case in Maryland.
Other Notable Points Raised by Critics:
- Involvement in broader Democratic AG coalition efforts, including positions on parental opt-outs for school curricula involving gender/LGBTQ+ topics (e.g., joining briefs against parental rights in Montgomery County cases), which some view as overreach.
- General accusations of prioritizing national partisan fights over Maryland-specific issues like crime, taxes, or economic pressures.
Brown's supporters highlight his military service (including Iraq deployment), civil rights work, veteran advocacy, and consumer protection actions. However, the ethics probe and perception of politicized lawfare remain the most active points of negative scrutiny as of 2026. Information is drawn from public records, news reports, and campaign history; outcomes of investigations could evolve.
