Maryland Freedom Caucus

The Caucus members have been noted by news outlets and House Republican leadership to be more outspoken and confrontational than most Republicans in the chamber. Non-Caucus Republicans advocate their preferred policies through committees, whereas Caucus Republicans aim to bring attention to their priorities through news-worthy efforts on the floor.^[2] Despite this tonal and strategic difference, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel said there is not much difference between the beliefs of the Caucus and the other House Republicans.^[2]

The Caucus supports the continued use of fossil fuels, especially as a tool to ensure affordable energy. In 2025, the Caucus appealed to the federal Department of Energy to keep the state's oil-fired power plants open in the face of state Democrats efforts to shutter them.^[4]

In 2026, the Caucus urged state Democrats to agree to their plan to lower energy costs by freezing energy-related taxes and fees, accounting for roughly 30% of the costs borne by ratepayers in the state.^[5]

The Caucus criticized Democratic efforts to limit the cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.^[6] During the 2026 session, the Caucus criticized a "sanctuary state" bill, both for its core policy of inhibiting the enforcement of federal immigration law and for the method in which it was passed by Democrats.^[7]

During the 2026 legislative session, the Caucus supported bills requiring voter ID and citizenship verification in Maryland elections after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Ian Roberts, a former Baltimore City Public Schools teacher, for allegedly overstaying his visa.^[8] According to the Caucus, Roberts was listed as an active voter under Maryland's voter lookup tool; Jared DeMarinis, the director of the Maryland State Board of Elections, stated that Roberts never voted in the state, that unintentional registrations can occur through agencies like the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, and that voters unintentionally registered to vote are not violating the state's laws against unlawful voter registration.^[9] The Caucus also opposed the Maryland Voting Rights Act, which would allow challenges to counties or municipalities that hold elections in a way that dilutes the votes cast by minority voters. In April 2026, the Caucus supported the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which they said left the state law "little more than a symbolic bill".^[10]

The Caucus has routinely condemned high levels or increased spending, calling them threats to future tax increases.^[6][11] In April 2026, the Caucus wrote to Governor Wes Moore to question why a non-profit, PaintCare, receives 100% of the revenue of a tax on each gallon of paint sold in the state.^[12] Szeliga said it is "irregular that the state would turn over such a massive program to a nonprofit."^[12]

The Maryland Freedom Caucus was founded by Lauren Arikan, Brian Chisholm, Mark N. Fisher, Robin Grammer Jr., Matthew Morgan, Ryan Nawrocki, and Kathy Szeliga.

Membership to the caucus is invitation-only.^[2]

• Del. Matthew Morgan – Chairman
• Del. Kathy Szeliga – Vice Chairwoman^[2]
• Del. Ryan Nawrocki – Caucus Whip^[2]
• Del. Lauren Arikan^[2]
• Del. Brian Chrisholm^[2]
• Del. Mark N. Fisher^[2]
• Del. Robin Grammer Jr.^[2]