{{Short description|American politician (born 1964)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Steve Hershey | image = Headshot Hershey Jan 2024.jpg | caption = Hershey in 2024 | office = Minority Leader of the Maryland Senate | term_start = January 11, 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Bryan Simonaire | successor = | 1blankname = Whip | 1namedata = Justin Ready | state_senate1 = Maryland | district1 = 36th | appointer1 = Martin O'Malley | term_start1 = October 1, 2013 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = E.J. Pipkin | successor1 = | state_delegate2 = Maryland | district2 = 36th | term_start2 = January 12, 2011 | term_end2 = October 1, 2013 | predecessor2 = Richard A. Sossi | successor2 = Steven J. Arentz | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|5|2}} | birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | education = James Madison University (attended)<br>Catholic University (BS)<br>George Washington University (MBA) | signature = Stephen Hershey signature.svg | module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Stephen Hershey on the Dobbs decision and the Abortion Care Access Act.ogg|title=Hershey's voice|type=speech|description=Hershey on the ''Dobbs'' decision and the Abortion Care Access Act<br/>Recorded June 26, 2022}} }} '''Stephen S. Hershey Jr.''' (born May 2, 1964) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate from District 36 since 2013, and as the minority leader of the Maryland Senate since January 11, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2011 to 2013.
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, Hershey graduated from Catholic University of America and George Washington University. He began his career in project management and commercial real estate before joining the administration of Governor Bob Ehrlich, where he worked for the Maryland Department of Planning and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Hershey was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 after defeating incumbent state delegate Richard A. Sossi in the Republican primary election for the 36th district, and was appointed to the Maryland Senate in 2013 following the resignation of state senator E. J. Pipkin. In 2023, Hershey was elected as the minority leader of the Maryland Senate.
==Early life and education== Hershey was born in Washington, D.C.<ref name="msa" /> to father Steve Hershey, a sportswriter for ''USA Today'' and ''The Washington Star'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Local obituaries of note for June 3, 2016 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/local-obituaries-of-note-for-june-3-2016/2016/06/03/efd5d944-21bd-11e6-9e7f-57890b612299_story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> and mother Gail Hershey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Divilio |first1=Daniel |title=Pomp, circumstance mark Assembly opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kent-island-bay-times-stephen-hershe/154271731/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Kent Island Bay Times |date=January 19, 2011 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was raised in Prince George's County, Maryland,<ref name="Public" /> where he graduated from Bowie High School. Hershey later attended James Madison University and graduated from Catholic University of America, earning a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1987, and George Washington University in 2002 with a Master of Business Administration degree.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=Stephen S. Hershey, Jr., Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa15457.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=November 29, 2023}}</ref> Hershey moved to Queen Anne's County in 1996.<ref name="Public">{{cite news |last1=Stafford |first1=Tammy |title=Hershey: Listen to public |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-observer-hershey-listen-to-publi/154271673/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Record Observer |date=August 9, 2002 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Early career== Hershey was a principal in Hershey Management Group, an independent real estate consulting firm, and later held positions at Planet Hollywood and Prime Retail.<ref name="DNR" /> He worked as a vice president for project management for the Trammell Crow Company from 1999 to 2003, afterwards serving as a member of the Queen Anne's County Economic Development Commission until 2006.<ref name="msa" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Several named to QA county boards |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kent-island-bay-times-several-named/186044576/ |access-date=December 1, 2025 |work=The Kent Island Bay Times |date=January 8, 2003 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Following the election of Governor Bob Ehrlich, Hershey worked as an assistant secretary for the Maryland Department of Planning from 2003 to 2004, and assistant secretary for land and water recreation at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from 2004 to 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Governor creates jobs for his allies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-new-jobs-reward-ehrlic/186044677/ |access-date=December 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 16, 2003 |pages=B1, B2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="DNR">{{cite news |last1=Shaum |first1=Jack |title=Hershey named assistant DNR secretary |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kent-island-bay-times-hershey-named/186044806/ |access-date=December 1, 2025 |work=The Kent Island Bay Times |date=December 22, 2004 |pages=1, 10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Afterwards, Hershey served as the vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle from 2006 to 2023, and as the vice president of TECfusions since 2023.<ref name="msa" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Republican Sen. Steve Hershey explores run for Maryland governor |url=https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/steve-hershey-governor-maryland-announcement-RJ2DXZXA45H55JC77LGLIIC644/ |access-date=December 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=September 4, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Hershey first got involved in politics in 2002 as the president of the Queen Anne's County Republican Club.<ref name="msa" /> That year, he unsuccessfully ran for the Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners in District 2,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Surowiec |first1=Konrad |title=Nearly two dozen seek five seats on Queen Anne's commission |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-nearly-two-dozen-seek/154271640/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=July 3, 2002 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> losing to Rodney Niedomanski in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Surowiec |first1=Konrad |title=Incumbents did well in central and north county |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-observer-incumbents-did-well-in-c/154271517/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Record Observer |date=October 4, 2002 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Maryland General Assembly== left|thumb|Hershey in the Senate Finance Committee, 2023 In 2010, Hershey filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 36,<ref>{{cite news |title=Political races shape up with final filers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-political-races-shape/154271440/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=July 8, 2010 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> challenging incumbent state delegate Richard A. Sossi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mattix |first1=Cheryl |title=Hershey beats Sossi to clinch Delegate's seat |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/localnews/hershey-beats-sossi-to-clinch-delegate-s-seat/article_414be86e-c0a7-11df-8c89-001cc4c002e0.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Cecil Daily |date=September 15, 2010 |language=en}}</ref> During the Republican primary, he ran on a platform that included cutting taxes and reducing government spending.<ref name="FacesSossi" /> Hershey won the Republican primary in September 2010, edging out Sossi by 124 votes, or a margin of 1.2 percent,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaum |first1=Jack |title=Hershey leads Sossi in 36th Dist. delegate race |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/hershey-leads-sossi-in-36th-dist-delegate-race/article_cb160883-f2b2-5d93-a365-23fca483fdee.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=September 15, 2010 |language=en}}</ref> and ran unopposed in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |title=League plans candidate forums |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-league-plans-candidate/154271587/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=October 15, 2010 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Hershey was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011. He was a member of the Economic Matters Committee during his entire tenure, and served as the Deputy Minority Whip in 2013.<ref name="msa" />
In August 2013, following the resignation of Senate minority leader E. J. Pipkin, Hershey applied to serve the remainder of Pipkin's term in the Maryland Senate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schatz |first1=Jordan |title=Hershey to seek open Senate appointment |url=https://www.stardem.com/easternshore/news/queen_annes_county/hershey-to-seek-open-senate-appointment/article_6bd9623a-dfaa-5aa7-8e75-2b6d7d559ecd.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=August 17, 2013 |language=en}}</ref> The Republican Central Committees of Caroline and Kent counties voted to nominate him, while the Queen Anne's and Cecil County Republican Central Committees voted to nominate his opponent, Michael D. Smigiel Sr.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Pipkin succession gets even messier |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-pipkin-succession-gets-even-messier-20130824-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In September, Governor Martin O'Malley appointed Hershey to the seat over Smigiel,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Gov. Martin O'Malley picks GOP's Hershey as new Shore senator |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-xpm-2013-09-18-bal-omalley-picks-gops-hershey-as-new-shore-senator-20130918-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> and he was sworn in on October 1.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaum |first1=Jack |title=Hershey sworn in as 36th District senator |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/hershey-sworn-in-as-36th-district-senator/article_f2cb3a27-e710-5006-8d18-57af8268c4df.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=October 2, 2013 |language=en}}</ref>
Hershey served on the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 2013 to 2015, afterwards serving as a member of the Finance Committee. He has also served as a member of the Executive Nominations Committee and the Rules Committee since 2023.<ref name="msa" /> In January 2015, Hershey was elected to serve as the Senate minority whip.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Hershey elected Senate minority whip |url=https://www.myeasternshoremd.com/dorchester_star/news/hershey-elected-senate-minority-whip/article_56d1583d-3659-5d51-9796-33061467f674.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=MyEasternShoreMD |date=January 28, 2015 |language=en}}</ref> In this capacity, he worked with the Maryland Republican Party in its unsuccessful "Drive for Five" campaign during the 2018 Maryland Senate election, during which the party won a net gain of one seat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=Maryland GOP wages 'Fight for Five' campaign to end Democrats' supermajority in state Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-fight-for-five-20181017-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chason |first1=Rachel |title=Can Md. Republicans ride Gov. Larry Hogan's coattails to key gains in the Senate? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/can-md-republicans-ride-gov-larry-hogans-coattails-to-key-gains-in-the-senate/2018/10/20/7149509a-d08b-11e8-83d6-291fcead2ab1_story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> Hershey did not run for re-election to this position in October 2020, and was succeeded by Michael Hough.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland GOP senators elect new, more conservative leaders |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-senate-republicans-20201010-4mcwdwa4ojg2vnu5pu7kjej2si-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 10, 2020}}</ref> In November 2022, following the 2022 Maryland Senate election in which Republicans lost two seats, Hershey was elected to serve as the Senate minority leader, replacing Bryan Simonaire.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Hershey wrests top Senate Republican post from Simonaire |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/11/28/hershey-wrests-top-senate-republican-post-from-simonaire/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 28, 2022}}</ref>
Hershey ran for a full four-year term in 2014, during which he faced a primary challenge from former state delegate Richard Sossi, whom he defeated with 56 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Angela |title=Hershey wins nomination for senate |url=https://www.stardem.com/extras/elections/hershey-wins-nomination-for-senate/article_1d461668-423b-5f21-9990-49e9c5de2410.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=June 24, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> During his campaign, the Hershey Company filed a lawsuit against Hershey, alleging that he was infringing on the company's trademarked logo design in campaign materials. The company added that Hershey had used its trademarked logo during his 2002 and 2010 campaigns, during which the Hershey Company issued cease and desist orders to stop Hershey from using it. Hershey contested the company's lawsuit, arguing that a ruling for the company would infringe on his constitutional rights.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duncan |first1=Ian |title=Hershey v. Hershey: Chocolate company sues state senator over campaign signs |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-xpm-2014-06-09-bs-md-hershey-trademark-20140609-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Chocolate co. sues senator |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/chocolate-co-sues-senator/article_af35ba16-185e-5070-8d0f-0fee28375649.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=June 12, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> In July 2014, Judge William D. Quarles Jr. ruled for the Hershey Company, issuing a preliminary injunction prohibiting Hershey from using the infringing campaign signs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duncan |first1=Ian |title=Judge issues ban on Hershey campaign signs |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-hershey-injunction-20140722-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Hershey's signs ruled too Hershey-like |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/hersheys-signs-ruled-too-hershey-like/article_76e25b4a-8647-5d46-8bc1-478155d2130e.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=July 23, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2025, Hershey formed an exploratory committee for a potential 2026 gubernatorial campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Hershey forms exploratory committee, will weigh run for governor |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/09/04/hershey-forms-exploratory-committee-to-weigh-run-for-governor/ |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 4, 2025}}</ref> He ultimately decided against running, filing to run for re-election in February 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Hershey ends gubernatorial bid exploration, refiles for Senate seat |url=https://marylandmatters.org/briefs/hershey-ends-gubernatorial-bid-exploration-refiles-for-senate-seat/ |access-date=February 23, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 22, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=MDOT nominee on hold, Moore officially on ballot, Ellis is present, and not, more political notes |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/02/23/mdot-nominee-on-hold-moore-officially-on-ballot-ellis-is-present-and-not-more-political-notes/ |access-date=February 24, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 23, 2026}}</ref>
==Political positions== [[File:Ropewalk (36647948235).jpg|thumb|Hershey with Governor Larry Hogan and Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford, 2017]] During his 2010 House of Delegates campaign, Hershey described himself as a "fiscal and social conservative whom stands for preserving our Constitution, the principles of an economy based on free enterprise, small limited government and individual responsibilities".<ref name="FacesSossi">{{cite news |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Craig |title=Hershey to face off against incumbent delegate Sossi |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-hershey-to-face-off-ag/186073587/ |access-date=December 2, 2025 |work=The Star Democrat |date=August 29, 2010 |pages=10}}</ref> In January 2026, ''The Washington Post'' described Hershey as a moderate Republican.<ref>{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Olivia |last2=Shepherd |first2=Katie |title=Dan Cox files to run for Md. governor, eyeing possible rematch with Moore |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/01/31/dan-cox-maryland-governor-bid-wes-moore/ |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |date=January 31, 2026}}</ref>
===Agriculture=== Hershey supports the deregulation of Maryland's farming industry.<ref name="BayPollution" /> During the 2015 legislative session, he introduced a bill to reduce penalties for illegal oyster poaching, which passed but did not become law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Reps: Current oyster poaching law too harsh |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/environment/reps-current-oyster-poaching-law-too-harsh/article_c9f5198a-9c1a-53c2-a857-fda78232eb12.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=March 23, 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
===Crime and policing=== During his 2002 commissioner campaign, Hershey said he supported creating a liaison position for emergency services in the county.<ref name="Public" />
In 2013, Hershey voted against a bill to abolish the death penalty in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |title=House roll call |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-house-roll-call-death-20130315-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>
In November 2023, ahead of the 2024 legislative session, Hershey introduced a package of "tough on crime" bills, including legislation to increase penalties for gun crimes and to repeal the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, which restricted the state's ability to charge juveniles for most offenses.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=GOP calls on Democrats to join them in getting tough on crime legislation |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/11/15/gop-calls-on-democrats-to-join-them-in-getting-tough-on-crime-legislation/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 15, 2023}}</ref>
===Education=== Hershey supports the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides state-funded scholarships to low-income students attending private schools, and spoke out against proposals to cut funding for the program in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Maryland lawmakers question Gov. Wes Moore's choice to reduce funding for school choice program |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-boost-question1-20230227-7y47bzaaejdb5o5wiyzrgcvcoy-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |title=Maryland lawmakers reach state budget compromise, including on money for private school tuition |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-budget-compromise-20230331-ggsw3deg65fwndx4e6wftyplfi-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 31, 2023}}</ref> He opposes the Blueprint for Maryland's Future,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bontrager |first1=Will |title=Chamber puts post legislative session topics on the table |url=https://www.myeasternshoremd.com/kent_county_news/news/chamber-puts-post-legislative-session-topics-on-the-table/article_be5a7ac2-001d-11ef-89fe-1baaf589113c.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=MyEasternShoreMD |date=April 25, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> describing it as an "unfunded mandate" for the state's education system,<ref name="2026Deficit">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Danielle J. |last2=Condon |first2=Christine |title=With another budget deficit in Maryland, Republicans see an opportunity |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/01/12/maryland-republicans-2026-session/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 12, 2026}}</ref> and has proposed cutting back spending on the education reform package so that the state only focuses on its most important components.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hacker |first1=Kiersten |last2=Walker |first2=Christina |last3=Jalil |first3=Ela |title=Blueprint or budget-breaker? No one knows how to pay for Maryland's massive education reform |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2024/03/04/democrats-love-marylands-education-blueprint-but-no-one-knows-how-to-pay-for-it/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Capital News Service |date=March 4, 2024}}</ref> In January 2026, Hershey opposed Governor Wes Moore's proposal to increase funding for education in fiscal year 2027, raising questions about how it would be paid for amid a $1.4 billion budget deficit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tierney |first1=Lily |title='Feels like we're playing defense': Shore legislators share concerns ahead of session |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/feels-like-were-playing-defense-shore-legislators-share-concerns-ahead-of-session/article_1fab48c1-d9e1-45c1-9610-089912da2410.html |access-date=January 9, 2026 |work=The Star Democrat |date=January 9, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
During his 2002 commissioner campaign, Hershey proposed providing tax credits and improving benefits to retain teachers in the county.<ref name="Public" />
In 2019, Hershey opposed a bill that would allow county school boards to set their own academic calendars, reversing an executive order by Governor Larry Hogan that mandated a post-Labor Day start for public schools.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Natalie |title=Schools may start before Labor Day as Senate bill advances |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2019/02/13/schools-may-start-before-labor-day-as-senate-bill-advances/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=February 13, 2019}}</ref>
During the 2013 legislative session, Hershey introduced a bill to extend voting rights to the student member of the Kent County Board of Education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Tommy |title=Maryland lawmakers introduce bills expanding student school board member voting rights |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2023/02/14/maryland-lawmakers-introduce-bills-expanding-student-school-board-member-voting-rights/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=February 14, 2023}}</ref>
In June 2025, Hershey supported the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in ''Mahmoud v. Taylor'', which overturned Montgomery County Public Schools's policy of not permitting opt-outs for instruction involving LGBTQ-themed storybooks, calling it a "victory for common sense and for parental rights" and describing the school system's policy as "authoritarian".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hatch |first1=Bri |title=Supreme Court ruling on Maryland school district's use of queer books sparks mixed reactions |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2025-06-27/supreme-court-ruling-on-maryland-school-districts-use-of-queer-books-sparks-mixed-reactions |access-date=June 28, 2025 |work=WYPR |date=June 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
===Environment=== thumb|Hershey (far left) attends a press conference at the Conowingo Dam, 2017 In September 2014, Hershey criticized the bay restoration agreement between Maryland and Pennsylvania, saying that it stunted development on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and calling the $15 billion cost associated with cleaning up the Conowingo Dam an "unfunded mandate".<ref name="50Percent">{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Tim |title=Maryland General Assembly approves 50 percent renewable energy target for 2030 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-renewable-energy-passed-20190408-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 8, 2019}}</ref> He has called the Conowingo Dam one of the largest point sources of nitrogen pollution in the state and supports requiring Exelon, who operates the dam, to dredge the sediment behind the dam to reduce runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Hershey, Tilghman talk issues during candidate forum |url=https://www.stardem.com/extras/elections/hershey-tilghman-talk-issues-during-candidate-forum/article_46f30902-2b12-53d7-973a-9ccbba463b85.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Star Democrat |date=October 15, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Hershey said he opposed the Clean Trucks Act, a bill that would require the Maryland Department of the Environment to adopt a rule to phase out the sale of medium and heavy-duty gas-powered vehicles in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Condon |first1=Christine |title=Environmental bills to watch during the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-environmental-bills-general-assembly-2023-20230308-bxbvzlrjgnbdxkoawpfkf77vrm-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 8, 2023}}</ref>
===Energy=== In 2015, amid proposals to build a wind farm off the shore of Kent County, Hershey introduced a bill to give the county the authority to veto any large-scale wind project in their jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Timothy B. |title=Shore wind project scrapped amid political roadblocks |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-wind-energy-hurdles-20150406-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 6, 2015}}</ref> In November 2025, he signed onto a letter criticizing Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown for becoming involved in litigation over a proposed offshore wind farm project off the coast of Ocean City.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Curtis |first1=Sean |title=Maryland Republicans question Attorney General's support of offshore wind project |url=https://www.wboc.com/news/maryland-republicans-question-attorney-general-s-support-of-offshore-wind-project/article_ecc16d36-3111-4718-9e6b-b282674df1b6.html |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=WBOC-TV |date=November 24, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2019 legislative session, Hershey opposed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which would require half of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Clean energy bill moves forward in Maryland Senate, after attempt in House committee to kill it |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-clean-energy-committee-20190314-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> and questioned whether the bill would create jobs in Maryland.<ref name="50Percent" /> He later expressed disappointment with Governor Larry Hogan's decision to allow the bill to become law without his signature.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |title=Maryland bill mandating 50% renewable energy by 2030 to become law, but without Gov. Larry Hogan's signature |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-renewable-energy-law-20190522-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref>
During the 2023 legislative session, Hershey opposed the POWER Act, which increased the state's wind power goals to 8.5 gigawatts, and unsuccessfully sought to amend the bill to prevent its costs from being passed down to consumers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Offshore wind bill inches forward in state Senate as Harris and GOP colleagues vow to attack it nationally |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/03/17/offshore-wind-bill-inches-forward-in-state-senate-as-harris-and-gop-colleagues-vow-to-attack-it-nationally/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 17, 2023}}</ref> In February 2025, amid rising utility rates, Hershey suggested that Maryland increase its natural gas generation and repeal the state's ban on fracking.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baye |first1=Rachel |title=Maryland legislative leaders reveal plan to tackle rising electric bills |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2025-02-03/maryland-legislative-leaders-reveal-plan-to-tackle-rising-electric-bills |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=WYPR |date=February 3, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2026, amid a $1.5 billion budget deficit, Hershey called on Governor Wes Moore to cut funding for the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which is funded by utilities that can pay into the fund in lieu of purchasing renewable energy, to close the state's budget deficit. He also expressed support for allowing Exelon to build new gas-fired power plants in Maryland, but opposes allowing the company to use ratepayer funds to pay for the new generating plants.<ref name="2026Deficit" /> In April 2026, he opposed the Utility RELIEF Act, an omnibus energy bill backed by Moore and Democratic legislative leaders, saying that the bill doesn't go far enough to cut consumers' electricity bills.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Condon |first1=Christine |title=Maryland Senate passes energy bill, setting up clash with the House |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/04/06/senate-passes-utility-relief-act-energy-bill/ |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 7, 2026}}</ref>
===Fiscal issues=== Hershey opposes Maryland's "Rain Tax", calling it an "unnecessary burden" for Maryland businesses.<ref name="Raintax" /> During the 2014 legislative session, he introduced a bill that would exempt counties who use "best available technology septic systems" from the rain tax.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Shore representatives talk pre-filed bills |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/general_assembly/shore-representatives-talk-pre-filed-bills/article_33794e80-3849-5d4d-afcf-465caa4a8c1d.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=January 9, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2014 legislative session, Hershey voted against a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.<ref name="Raintax">{{cite news |last1=Brockett |first1=Megan |last2=Tincher |first2=Sarah |title=Minimum Wage, "Rain Tax" and Marijuana: Md. Legislature 2014 |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2014/01/08/minimum-wage-rain-tax-and-marijuana-md-legislature-2014/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=January 8, 2014}}</ref> In 2019, he voted against a bill to raise it again to $15 an hour, arguing that legislators should instead cut taxes to increase workers' income.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland lawmakers give final OK to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-minimum-wage-final-20190320-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 20, 2019}}</ref> In May 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hershey called on the Maryland Board of Public Works to freeze the minimum wage at $11 an hour for two years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Business Groups Seek Minimum Wage Freeze |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/05/08/business-groups-seek-minimum-wage-freeze/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 8, 2020}}</ref>
During the 2016 legislative session, Hershey supported a measure to provide tax breaks to households that earn more than $150,000 annually, which he claimed represented the state's small business owners.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Proposed tax cut for wealthy Marylanders in dispute |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-proposed-tax-cut-for-wealthy-in-dispute-20160408-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 8, 2016}}</ref> In January 2017, he said he would support allowing citizens initiatives on budgetary matters, including newly imposed taxes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Should legalizing marijuana be on the ballot in Maryland? |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-cannabis-vote-20170130-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> In 2021, Hershey opposed a bill to impose a tax on digital advertising.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Witte |first1=Brian |title=Maryland lawmakers move ahead with first tax on internet ads |url=https://apnews.com/article/us-news-maryland-larry-hogan-legislation-fb8f735c0d487aaebc779d8f48f26f10 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Associated Press |date=February 12, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> During the 2023 legislative session, Hershey introduced a bill to eliminate all income taxes for retirees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Notes: Senate Republicans release priority list, Cassilly nominates brother to Ethics Board, another glass ceiling shattered and more |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/02/09/notes-senate-republicans-release-priority-list-cassilly-nominates-brother-to-ethics-board-another-glass-ceiling-shattered-and-more/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 9, 2023}}</ref> During debate on a bill to decouple state transit fares from inflation, he introduced an amendment to decouple the state's fuel taxes from inflation, which was rejected in a 27–18 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Republicans seek gas tax consistency, Democrats warn of a reckoning |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/03/20/republicans-seek-gas-tax-consistency-democrats-warn-of-a-reckoning/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 21, 2023}}</ref> In March 2026, following a spike in gas prices as a result of the 2026 Iran war, Hershey proposed a 30-day gas tax holiday.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Petrowich |first1=Sarah |title=Maryland GOP propose gas tax pause amid war in Iran, Moore not in support |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2026-03-19/maryland-gop-propose-gas-tax-pause-amid-war-in-iran-moore-not-in-support |access-date=March 20, 2026 |work=WYPR |date=March 19, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Despite never introducing the bill to implement the gas tax holiday, Hershey blamed Governor Wes Moore for the proposal failing to pass.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Republicans blame Moore, Democrats for no gas tax holiday but never introduced bill |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2026/04/02/maryland-republicans-blame-moore-democrats-no-gas-tax-holiday/ |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=The Daily Record |date=April 2, 2026}}</ref>
In April 2024, Hershey introduced an amendment to the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act that allows landlords to deduct the fee for issuing an eviction notice for failure to pay rent from a tenant's security deposit. The amendment was adopted,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Danielle J. |title=Senate approves several renter-focused bills on Saturday before Sine Die |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/04/06/senate-approves-several-renter-focused-bills-on-saturday-before-sine-die/ |access-date=September 5, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 6, 2024}}</ref> after which Hershey voted for the bill on final passage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weingarten |first1=Dwight A. |title='We knew it was an issue that could not wait': Moore signs multiple housing bills into law |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2024/04/26/gov-moore-signs-renters-rights-other-housing-bills-into-law/73467301007/ |access-date=September 5, 2025 |work=The Daily Times |date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
During the 2025 legislative session, Hershey opposed tax increases to address the state's $3 billion budget deficit,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boteler |first1=Cody |title=Maryland lawmakers grapple with state's budget shortfall |url=https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/maryland-officials-inside-legislative-session-C6HSJ6FU6RC2DFK2IPGPX7VA3M/ |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=January 14, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> predicting that they would cause Maryland residents and businesses to leave the state for states with better tax climates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baye |first1=Rachel |title=Maryland governor proposes tax on top earners, but also tax cuts |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2025-01-16/maryland-governor-proposes-tax-on-top-earners-but-also-tax-cuts |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=WYPR |date=January 16, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2025, he defended the One Big Beautiful Bill Act from Democratic criticisms that the bill would result in hundreds of millions in additional costs to Maryland, instead criticizing Democratic lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly for passing bills to expand Medicaid and provide support to undocumented immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Danielle J. |title=Federal cuts 'not as horrible' as feared for now, but still painful, worse in long run |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/06/26/federal-cuts-not-as-horrible-as-feared-for-now-but-still-painful-worse-in-long-run/ |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 26, 2025}}</ref>
In June 2025, Hershey criticized Governor Moore's initiative to give communities affected by racist policies greater access to $400 million in state grants and loans as "wealth redistribution dressed up in equity language" and "socialist".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swick |first1=Carson |last2=Woodall |first2=Candy |title=Maryland GOP balks at Gov. Wes Moore's $400M for underserved communities: 'Socialism, plain and simple' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/23/maryland-gop-balks-wes-moore-just-communities/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 23, 2025}}</ref>
In November 2025, Hershey criticized Democrats for blaming the economic policy of the second Trump administration for the state's $1.5 billion budget deficit, instead blaming the state's reliance on federal government spending for the shortfall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Are more taxes on the table for 2026? It's unlikely |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2026/01/12/maryland-budget-deficit-2026/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=Daily Record |date=January 12, 2026}}</ref> He later said he supported cutting programs he called non-essential, including the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, to address the state's budget deficit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harman |first1=Grace |title=Maryland Eastern Shore Lawmakers react to no new tax commitment from the Governor |url=https://www.wboc.com/news/maryland-eastern-shore-lawmakers-react-to-no-new-tax-commitment-from-the-governor/article_3de32c36-2bba-4c24-a356-8aa334c5b696.html |access-date=December 18, 2025 |work=WBOC-TV |date=December 12, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2026, during debate on the state's budget reconciliation bill, Hershey introduced a bill to repeal the state's IT services tax, citing a report by the Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates showing that the tax was underperforming expectations. The amendment failed by a 20–24 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Senate gives preliminary approval to $70.8 billion spending plan |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/17/senate-gives-preliminary-approval-to-70-8-billion-spending-plan/ |access-date=March 20, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 18, 2026}}</ref>
===Gun policy=== In January 2013, Hershey participated in a protest outside the Maryland State House against gun control proposals announced by Governor Martin O'Malley, which included licensing for all handguns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazarick |first1=Len |title=Hundreds protest gun restrictions at Annapolis rally |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2013/01/20/hundreds-protest-gun-restrictions-at-annapolis-rally/ |access-date=December 2, 2025 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=January 21, 2013}}</ref>
During the 2018 legislative session and following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Hershey was one of three Republicans to vote for a bill to ban bump stocks in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |title=Maryland Senate follows House in voting to ban bump stocks like device used in Las Vegas massacre |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-senate-bump-stocks-20180319-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>
In 2019, Hershey voted against a bill to abolish the state's Handgun Permit Review Board, which handled conceal carry applications.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland Senate committee advances bill to abolish handgun permit board that's been criticized as too permissive |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-handgun-board-vote-20190318-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 19, 2019}}</ref>
In June 2022, Hershey said he supported the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in ''New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aufderheide |first1=Christina |title=36th District Senate candidates answer tough questions during forum |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/36th-district-senate-candidates-answer-tough-questions-during-forum/article_10fb8249-5ee5-5a80-acdb-58a462aa1f17.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=June 29, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> During the 2023 legislative session, he opposed the Gun Safety Act, which banned open carry near schools, government property, construction areas, or entertainment venues, and from entering someone's property while carrying a firearm unless given permission by the owner, calling it "unconstitutional".<ref name="Carry" /> In September, Hershey celebrated a federal court ruling that struck down certain provisions of the Gun Safety Act.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Tommy |title=Judge blocks parts of new Maryland gun law |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2023/09/29/maryland-gun-law-change-means-adjustments-to-concealed-carry/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>
===Health care=== [[File:UMMS Hospital Groundbreaking and Tour (54083339737).jpg|thumb|Hershey and Governor Wes Moore at an UMMS hospital groundbreaking in Easton, 2024]] During the 2017 legislative session, Hershey supported legislation to assist displaced workers following hospital closures.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=State bill would protect workers affected by hospital closures |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-legislative-update-0317-20170316-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 17, 2017}}</ref> He opposed a bill that would allow the attorney general of Maryland to impose civil penalties onto companies that gouge drug prices, which he claimed would harm competition,<ref>{{cite news |title=Annapolis: Generic Drug Price Gouging could be Penalized In Bill Sent to Hogan |url=https://chestertownspy.org/2017/04/12/annapolis-generic-drug-price-gouging-could-be-penalized-in-bill-sent-to-hogan/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chestertown Spy |date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> and a bill to provide workers with seven days of paid sick leave a year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Despite Hogan veto threat, Maryland Senate approves paid sick time proposal |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-veto-proof-sick-time-passed-20170316-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 16, 2017}}</ref>
In 2021, Hershey introduced legislation that would allow pharmacists to switch name brands. The bill passed and became law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Policing, prescriptions, voting: Hundreds of new Maryland laws go into effect Friday |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-october-new-laws-20210930-a2ffppmupvb2dafn26vc4lhl2a-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> He also supported a bill banning medical debt collection agencies from garnishing the wages or placing liens on homes of people who owed medical debt, and limiting payments made toward medical debt at five percent of a person's income.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Consumer Groups Say Medical Debt Bill Is a First Step, But More Is Needed |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/25/consumer-groups-say-medical-debt-bill-is-a-first-step-but-more-is-needed/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 25, 2021}}</ref>
During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, Hershey introduced a bill that would require Medicaid to provide coverage for weight loss medication.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hellgren |first1=Mike |title=Maryland bill would provide weight loss medications to Medicaid patients, but the obstacle is cost |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-ozempic-medicaid-wieghtloss-cost-senate/ |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=WJZ-TV |date=March 4, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Petrowich |first1=Sarah |title=Megalodons and private prisons; what bills made the cut on Maryland's 'crossover day' |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2026-03-23/megalodons-and-private-prisons-what-bills-made-the-cut-on-marylands-crossover-day |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=WYPR |date=March 23, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2026 legislative session, Hershey opposed the Vax Act, a bill that would allow the Maryland Department of Health to set vaccine recommendations for Marylanders independent of any federal guidelines, calling it unnecessary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Danielle J. |title=Moore legislation to clarify vaccine guidelines adds to 'confusion' instead, opponents say |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/02/10/moore-legislation-to-clarify-vaccine-guidelines-adds-to-confusion-instead-opponents-say/ |access-date=February 11, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 11, 2026}}</ref>
===National politics=== In 2012, Hershey served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, pledged to Mitt Romney.<ref name="msa" /> In 2016, he unsuccessfully ran to serve as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention, pledged to Chris Christie.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Alternate Delegates to the Republican National Convention |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2016/results/primary/gen_results_2016_3_057X.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=November 29, 2023 |date=May 31, 2016}}</ref> Hershey attended the 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dorian |title=Local Republicans praise Trump inauguration |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/local-republicans-praise-trump-inauguration/article_0d3b5f92-547c-5cb3-a66c-6f0f07f3b180.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=January 25, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and would later use social media to criticize Trump<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Shakeup Hits Senate Republican Caucus |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/10/06/shakeup-hits-senate-republican-caucus/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> in now-deleted tweets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Long-serving GOP leaders in Maryland Senate to step aside |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senate-republican-leadership/2020/10/07/5c4ba7c0-08b4-11eb-859b-f9c27abe638d_story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> He opposed impeaching and removing Trump following the January 6 United States Capitol attack, saying it would "undermine the efforts to ensure a peaceful transfer of power".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spector |first1=Candice |title=Mautz, Hershey oppose push to impeach, remove Trump |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/mautz-hershey-oppose-push-to-impeach-remove-trump/article_093d917e-0bd3-512b-9004-64feb518e878.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=January 13, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2017 legislative session, Hershey voted against a bill that would give the attorney general of Maryland the power to pursue cases against the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Natalie |last2=Taylor |first2=Jacob |title=Md. Senate approves resolution to empower attorney general |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2017/02/10/md-senate-approves-resolution-to-empower-attorney-general/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=February 10, 2017}}</ref>
In 2018, Hershey opposed a bill requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns to appear on the ballot in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |title=Maryland Senate passes bill requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-president-tax-returns-20180305-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 5, 2018}}</ref>
In August 2019, following mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, Hershey released statements on Twitter calling the incident "an act of terrorism" and the shooter a white nationalist, and called on Trump to recognize the "white supremacy problem in America". He also expressed support for a primary challenge against Ohio state legislator Candice Keller after she claimed that the 2019 Dayton shooting was caused by "drag queen advocates".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Senate GOP Leader Attacks White Supremacists, Gun Violence on Twitter |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/08/06/senate-gop-leader-attacks-white-supremacists-gun-violence-on-twitter/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=August 6, 2019}}</ref>
In August 2025, amid Republican efforts to redraw Texas's congressional districts to gain five congressional seats in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, Hershey criticized Democratic efforts to redraw Maryland's congressional districts in response to Texas's mid-decade redistricting, calling a bill that would allow Maryland legislators to do so a "transparent grab for partisan advantage".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |title=Maryland Democrats ready for gerrymandering fight, may target GOP Rep. Andy Harris' district |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/08/05/maryland-redistricting-after-texas-map/ |access-date=August 5, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 5, 2025}}</ref> After Governor Moore organized a commission to review mid-decade redistricting in Maryland in November 2025, Hershey said he would introduce a bill to ban mid-decade redistricting, codify part of a 2022 ruling that struck down Maryland's original congressional redistricting plan as an "extreme partisan gerrymander", and require Maryland's congressional districts to be drawn by an independent redistricting commission.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=GOP counters Democrats' push for redistricting with call for 'fair and principled' process |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/11/13/gop-counters-democrats-push-for-redistricting-with-call-for-fair-and-principled-process/ |access-date=November 14, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 14, 2025}}</ref> He opposed the redistricting plan proposed by the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, which would redraw Maryland's 1st congressional district to improve the Democratic Party's chances of winning it, but told ''The Daily Record'' that he would vote to advance the congressional redistricting plan out of the Senate Rules Committee just to end debate on it by killing it on the Senate floor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Redistricting could fracture Moore's relationship with Senate, Republicans say |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2026/02/12/maryland-republicans-moore-midcycle-redistricting/ |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=The Daily Record |date=February 12, 2026}}</ref>
In October 2025, Hershey blamed Democrats for the 2025 United States government shutdown and criticized Moore for blaming Republicans for the shutdown, saying that Moore should instead "demand that his allies in Washington work across the aisle to pass a clean resolution and protect Maryland families".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |last2=Swick |first2=Carson |title=Moore, Scott, Maryland Dems blame Trump, deploy contingency plans during shutdown |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/01/moore-maryland-dems-deploy-contingency-plans-shutdown/ |access-date=October 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 1, 2025}}</ref>
===Social issues=== During the 2012 legislative session, Hershey voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |title=How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-roll-call-20120217-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 18, 2012}}</ref>
During the 2015 legislative session, Hershey was one of three senators to vote against a bill to decriminalize marijuana paraphernalia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marron |first1=Brian |title=Senate Passes Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana Paraphernalia |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2015/04/10/senate-passes-bill-decriminalizing-marijuana-paraphernalia/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=April 10, 2015}}</ref> In 2019, he was appointed to a task force on developing policy for legalizing recreational cannabis in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=Maryland task force begins work on potential legalization of marijuana |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/health/marijuana/bs-md-marijuana-task-force-20190625-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 25, 2019}}</ref>
In May 2015, following the 2015 Baltimore protests, Hershey and state senator Catherine Pugh visited neighborhoods damaged by fires and looting during the protests, which he says informed him of the challenges confronting the city and influenced how he responded to a package of bills aimed at improving Baltimore during the 2016 legislative session.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wenger |first1=Yvonne |title=Transparency becomes key for well-connected Baltimore Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-pugh-relationships-20161203-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 3, 2016}}</ref>
During the 2016 legislative session, Hershey voted against a bill that would restore voting rights for felons on parole.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magness |first1=Josh |title=Maryland Senate Passes Override of Hogan's Veto of Felon Voting Rights |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2016/02/10/maryland-senate-passes-override-of-hogans-veto-of-felon-voting-rights/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> In June 2020, he wrote a letter to the Maryland State Board of Elections following Maryland's June 2 primary election, which was conducted largely using mail-in ballots, to express concern about potential voter fraud if mail-in ballots were used in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Advocates Challenge State Senate GOP Opposition to November Mail-In Election |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/06/26/state-senate-gop-opposes-november-mail-in-election/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 26, 2020}}</ref> In 2021, Hershey supported legislation that would require signature verification for mail-in ballots.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Decker |first1=Audrey |title=Maryland bills aim to make it easier to vote |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2021/04/07/maryland-bills-aim-to-make-it-easier-to-vote/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=April 7, 2021}}</ref>
In 2021, Hershey voted for a bill to repeal "Maryland, My Maryland" as the official state song.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spector |first1=Candice |title=Shore lawmakers split on push to toss Maryland's Confederate themed state song |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/shore-lawmakers-split-on-push-to-toss-marylands-confederate-themed-state-song/article_8741b954-cd20-5241-b3fa-9422129aa1ef.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=March 31, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
During debate on the Abortion Care Access Act in 2022, Hershey introduced an amendment that would restrict the facilities that could provide abortion services; the amendment was rejected.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Logan |title=Maryland bill for expanded abortion access awaits governor's signature |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/2022/03/29/maryland-bill-abortion-access-hogan/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=March 29, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, he criticized a bill creating a statewide referendum on codifying ''Roe v. Wade'' into the Constitution of Maryland,<ref name="Carry">{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Maryland Senate labors over constitutionality of firearm wear and carry legislation |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-senate-floor-debate-sb1-sb858-sb798-sb341-20230310-6cc2fskucbexphn4snyjfkndnu-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 9, 2023}}</ref> calling it "performative progressivism".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Democrats put on a muscular show of support for abortion rights measures |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/02/09/democrats-put-on-a-muscular-show-of-support-for-abortion-rights-measures/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 9, 2023}}</ref>
In January 2026, Hershey opposed proposals to ban 287(g) program agreements and prohibit law enforcement from wearing face coverings while on duty in Maryland, saying that Maryland should "let the feds continue to do their job" with regard to immigration.<ref name="2026Deficit" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trovato |first1=Maggie |title=Immigration debate fueled by reported Annapolis ICE activity |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/15/annapolis-ice-immigration-debate/ |access-date=January 15, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 15, 2026}}</ref> During debate on a bill to ban 287(g) agreements in Maryland, he introduced an amendment that would've allowed local governments and sheriff's departments to continue to enter into the agreements, which was rejected in a 14–32 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Petrowich |first1=Sarah |title=Maryland Senate gives initial approval to two ICE restriction bills |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2026-01-29/maryland-senate-gives-initial-approval-to-two-ice-restriction-bills |access-date=January 29, 2026 |work=WYPR |date=January 29, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
===Transportation=== In October 2010, Hershey criticized the state's public transportation system, arguing that private industry would "manage and provide this service more cost efficiently than the government".<ref name="BayPollution">{{cite news |last1=Shaum |first1=Jack |title=District 36 hopefuls talk Bay pollution, transportation |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/district-36-hopefuls-talk-bay-pollution-transportation/article_2715ee15-9af7-58e9-bbb8-5aae8a68382c.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=October 27, 2010 |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2015, Hershey said he supported Governor Larry Hogan's decision to shift funding for the Red Line toward road widening projects in other jurisdictions around the state, especially Route 404.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Dresser |first2=Michael |title=Hogan says no to Red Line, yes to Purple |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-hogan-transportation-20150624-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> After Governor Wes Moore revived the Red Line in 2023, Hershey called the Red Line an "unaffordable and inefficient project" and a "bad deal for taxpayers".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=What happened to Moore's Red Line ambitions? Why Dems aren't giving up on Baltimore project |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/2025/08/12/what-happened-to-moores-red-line-ambitions-why-dems-arent-giving-up-on-baltimore-project/ |access-date=August 11, 2025 |work=The Capital |date=August 9, 2025}}</ref>
During the 2016 legislative session, Hershey opposed a bill that would require the Maryland Department of Transportation to use a scoring system when deciding which transportation projects to prioritize, claiming that the bill would force rural transportation projects to compete with urban transit projects. He introduced an amendment to the bill to create a separate scoring system for transit projects, which was rejected in a 28–17 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Josh |title=Transportation bill passes Senate |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/transportation-bill-passes-senate/article_9f4c646f-6354-55de-a3af-2a10b9b5929d.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=March 31, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2019, Hershey opposed a bill that would give Anne Arundel County veto power over a proposed second Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which he said would prevent any bridge project from being completed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Chase |title=Bill to give Anne Arundel veto power over new bay bridge faces resistance in committee |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/ac-cn-county-toll-consent-20190214-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 13, 2019}}</ref> In April 2022, he proposed replacing the current Bay Bridge spans with a single eight-lane bridge.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Local Leaders Urge MDTA to Replace Bay Bridge With New 8-Lane Span |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/29/local-leaders-urge-mdta-to-replace-bay-bridge-with-new-8-lane-span/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 29, 2022}}</ref>
During the 2026 legislative session, Hershey introduced a bill to repeal vehicle registration fee increases passed during the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Mennatalla |title=Maryland Senate GOP pushes bill to roll back vehicle registration fee hikes |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/03/05/vehicle-registration-fees-steve-hershey/ |access-date=March 10, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 5, 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Hershey was married to Wendy,<ref>{{cite news |title=Maryland's Power Couples |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/12/23/marylands-power-couples/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stafford |first1=Tammy |title=Hershey vows to treat citizens as customers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-hershey-vows-to-treat/185149118/ |access-date=November 17, 2025 |work=The Star Democrat |date=August 11, 2002 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=Stephen S. Hershey lives in Queenstown with his wife Wendy.}}</ref> but is now single.<ref name="msa" /> He lives in Queenstown, Maryland,<ref name="Public" /> and is a congregant at the Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.<ref name="msa" />
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = 2002 Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners District 2 Republican primary election<ref>{{cite news |title=County election board releases Sept. 10 primary totals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-observer-county-election-board-re/180450017/ |access-date=September 5, 2025 |work=Record Observer |date=October 4, 2002 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Rodney Niedomanski |votes = 1,718 |percentage = 41.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. |votes = 1,344 |percentage = 32.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Barb Pivec |votes = 1,133 |percentage = 27.0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 4,195 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2010 Maryland House of Delegates 36th district election<ref>{{cite web| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/gen_results_2010_1_01636.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01636.html}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. |votes = 5,449 |percentage = 50.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Richard A. Sossi (incumbent) |votes = 5,325 |percentage = 49.4 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 10,774 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. |votes = 32,364 |percentage = 26.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Jay Jacobs |votes = 26,979 |percentage = 22.4 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (incumbent) |votes = 26,295 |percentage = 21.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = William C. Manlove |votes = 17,453 |percentage = 14.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Arthur Hock |votes = 16,472 |percentage = 13.7 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 970 |percentage = 0.8 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 120,533 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2014 Maryland Senate 36th district election<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01536.html |date=July 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01536.html |date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 6,007 |percentage = 56.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Richard Sossi |votes = 4,720 |percentage = 44.0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 10,727 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 27,876 |percentage = 67.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Benjamin Tilghman |votes = 13,612 |percentage = 32.8 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 30 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 41,518 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2018 Maryland Senate 36th district election<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01536.html |work=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=September 4, 2025 |date=July 31, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01536.html |date=July 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 9,236 |percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 9,236 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 33,028 |percentage = 65.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Heather Lynette Sinclair |votes = 17,691 |percentage = 34.9 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 32 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 50,751 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2022 Maryland Senate 36th district election<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for State Senator |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_6_36.html |work=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=September 4, 2025 |date=August 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_36.html |date=July 12, 2022}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 8,119 |percentage = 65.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Rick Bowers |votes = 2,838 |percentage = 22.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Heather Lynette Sinclair |votes = 1,439 |percentage = 11.6 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 12,396 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 36,806 |percentage = 96.3 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 1,424 |percentage = 3.7 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 38,230 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-md-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Bryan Simonaire}} {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Maryland Senate|years=2023–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Current Maryland statewide political officials}} {{U.S. State Senate Floor Leaders}} {{Current Maryland State Senators}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hershey, Steve}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Catholic politicians from Maryland Category:Catholic University of America alumni Category:George Washington University alumni Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:Republican Party Maryland state senators Category:People from Queen Anne's County, Maryland Category:Politicians from Washington, D.C. Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly