Randi White
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Randi White (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Maryland's 1st Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on June 23, 2026.[source]
White completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Randi White was born in Salisbury, Maryland. White's career experience includes working in marketing. She earned a bachelor's degree from Bridgewater College in 2005.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Maryland's 1st Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 23, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
Endorsements
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2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Randi White completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by White's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born and raised in Salisbury on Maryland’s Lower Shore, and I would be the first Democratic nominee from this part of the district. My grandmother raised me to care deeply and be involved in government and voting. She taught me that the rights our elders fought and died for should never be taken for granted. From the time I was eight years old, I was asking tough questions, studying policies, and learning that leadership means seeking solutions, not just pointing out problems.
I went on to earn two Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Communications and built a 20-year career in Marketing and Communications. In every role I’ve had, my goal has been simple: to make people’s lives better. Running for Congress is the most direct way I can continue that work for my community.
I’m proud to be a daughter of the Shore, a lifelong Orioles and Ravens fan, and someone who believes in bringing laughter, music, and empathy into everything I do. - I Show Up – Accessibility & Accountability
Too many people feel forgotten by their leaders. I am committed to being present and accountable, not just during campaign season but every day I serve. That means showing up in every county, listening to people directly, and making government transparent and responsive. As someone born and raised here, I know that accessibility builds trust and I will always be the kind of representative who answers to the people first, not party bosses or special interests.
- Healthcare is a Human Right – Rural Healthcare Crisis
Access to affordable, quality healthcare should not depend on your zip code. In Maryland’s 1st District, 9 out of 11 counties are rural and lack that access. Folks face long drives, fewer doctors, and higher costs. I will fight to expand rural healthcare options, protect reproductive rights, and ensure that every person, from our seniors to our children (and regardless of income level), can see a doctor when they need one. Healthcare is a basic human right, and no one in our community should be forced to choose between their health and their bills. I would also like to focus on the actual CARE of our constituents wherever they go.
- Commonsense Over Chaos – Pragmatic Economic Development
Partisan chaos in Washington has done nothing to help people & families in our district struggling with the cost of living. I believe in commonsense solutions: creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, farmers and federal workers, and investing in infrastructure that lifts our entire community. Including funding schools, building more schools to combat overcrowding, and feeding the children in the schools. My focus is not on scoring political points but on delivering real results. With pragmatic leadership, we can build a stronger, fairer economy for MD-01 and beyond.
I am passionate about expanding access to healthcare, addressing the cost of living, and strengthening education. In healthcare, our district faces serious challenges: rural areas lack providers and facilities, while too many residents everywhere struggle with high costs and poor quality of care. On the economy, I believe in commonsense solutions that create stability supporting small businesses, farmers, and workers, from federal employees in Harford County to watermen on the Shore. In education, the challenges differ, underfunded schools and child hunger on the Shore, overcrowding in Baltimore County, and funding withheld in Harford, but the need is the same: respect and fair pay for teachers and resources so every student can thrive.
I look up to strong women, period. Starting with my grandmother, who instilled in me the importance of service, empathy, and accountability! The strong women in politics who never backed down, are my inspiration. First and foremost being the late, great Shirley Chisholm. My admiration was first sparked as a child in 1991, when my grandmother and I started my journey in the world of politics.
Then, I saw Hillary Clinton respond to a question about baking cookies on the campaign trail. At just 8 years old, I couldn’t understand why her answer was so polarizing, to me, it was empowering. I thought, yes, why do women have to be limited to the kitchen? Why can’t we run the country?
That moment stayed with me as Hillary Clinton built a career of brilliance, resilience, and grace. She was often the smartest person in the room, but never shrank herself to make others comfortable. Even when she was right, and history proved her right, she didn’t say “I told you so.” She stayed present, accountable, and committed to serving people, even those who criticized her. That ability to carry herself with light and patience has always inspired me.
I also look up to Vice President Kamala Harris, whose poise, knowledge, and determination to keep showing up (even when it isn’t reciprocated) is a model of courage.
I want to follow their example: unapologetically myself, grounded in knowledge and service, with my own touch of feistiness. I believe that kind of leadership; empathetic, resilient, and authentic, is what our district and our country need. An elected official must be committed to service above all else. That means leading with empathy, showing up, and being accessible because constituents are the boss. It’s not enough to talk; you have to listen, whether at community events, schools, or around a neighbor’s kitchen table, because every story can shape better policy. True leadership also means working for everyone in the district, not just supporters, and having the toughness to accept criticism while fighting for people’s lives and futures.
The core responsibility of a Representative is to deliver results for our district. We’re tired of being treated as Maryland’s afterthought. That means fighting for healthcare funding when our hospitals are closing on the Shore, securing investments for our ports and bridges, and protecting the Bay that sustains our way of life. It also means answering your calls, holding real town halls, and explaining my votes; even when you disagree. And most of all, it means making life affordable again. Groceries cost nearly 30% more than three years ago, gas and medicine keep climbing, and too many people are left choosing what bill not to pay. My job will be to fight for practical solutions that make everyday life easier.
I want my legacy to be that a Black woman from Salisbury stood up when her community needed her and proved that empathy and effectiveness can work together. I want young people, from Crisfield to Honeygo, to know that serving your hometown is just as valuable as leaving for bigger cities.
I hope to be remembered as the representative who finally brought high-speed internet to every Eastern Shore home, who kept our rural hospitals open and brought in more doctors and specialists, and who fought to protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations. I want to be the one who improved schools, opened new ones where they were needed, and truly left no child behind.
I also want my legacy to show that I broke barriers and made sure everyone had a seat at the table; giving voice and presence to the underrepresented and those too often left out. Above all, I want people to remember that leadership rooted in empathy can deliver real results, and that you can disagree without being disagreeable while still fighting fiercely for your people. The first major historical event I clearly remember was the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, when I was 11 years old. My class happened to be on a field trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled to tour the FBI Building. Instead, we were kept on the bus for a long time, and eventually our teachers told us we’d spend the day at the National Zoo. Only later, when I got home and watched the news with my grandmother, did I understand why; the tragedy unfolding in Oklahoma. I remember the sadness I felt for the lives lost, and how it struck me that violence could touch so many families at once. It was also the first time I connected my own curiosity about government and justice with the reality of how important and fragile those institutions really are.
My very first job was at a call center in Salisbury that handled multiple mail-order catalogs- it was brand new at the time, in Winterplace Park. A bunch of us from Wi-Hi worked there, and as teenagers with cars and our first paychecks, we thought we were living the dream! I didn’t stay long before moving on to Circuit City, where I worked through the rest of high school. Those jobs taught me responsibility and customer service early, but more than anything they were just great memories of growing up in Salisbury.
If I could recommend books that reflect my political philosophy, I’d start with three I’ve been reading and re-reading: Unbought & Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, and The Other Wes Moore by Governor Wes Moore.
Shirley Chisholm’s Unbought & Unbossed speaks to courage, accountability, and authenticity in leadership. She showed that representatives must be accountable to the people, not to political machines or special interests. Her example reminds me that my responsibility is to be accessible, transparent, and willing to make “good trouble” when it means protecting people’s rights.
President Obama’s The Audacity of Hope centers on empathy and the belief that politics can be a tool for bringing people together instead of tearing them apart. His call for a politics rooted in listening and common ground mirrors my own conviction that leadership must begin with empathy and service to all — even those who don’t always agree with us.
Governor Wes Moore’s The Other Wes Moore is about the power of community, opportunity, and the urgency of investing in people before they fall through the cracks. It underscores why service and equity matter, and why leaders must work to ensure no community (especially places like the Eastern Shore) is left behind or only visited during election years.
Together, these books illustrate the philosophy that guides my campaign: Empathy. Accountability. Service. Empathy to understand the urgency people feel in their daily struggles, accountability to be transparent and accessible as their representative, and service as the ultimate measure of leadership. If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Storm from X-Men. She was powerful, graceful, and a natural leader; someone who could control the uncontrollable and still carry herself with poise. But what always struck me was that she wasn’t defined only by her powers. Like many strong Black Women in America, she saved the world while taking the hits, often without acknowledgment of her humanity. Storm reminds me that strength and vulnerability can coexist, and that real leadership means not just carrying others, but being honest about your own struggles too.
I’ve faced many struggles in my life: losing my grandparents and transitioning to adulthood, moments of trauma, and the financial challenges of raising my children without a living wage. I know what it’s like to work full-time and still need Medicaid for my babies and SNAP to help put food on the table. I’ve also been part of the 300,000-plus Black Americans who are unemployed, and I know the weight of wondering how to make ends meet.
I wasn’t born wealthy, and I’m starting this run not with deep pockets, but with the help of people who believe in me. I wasn’t supposed to make it this far-but my faith in God, my perseverance, and my desire to make my grandparents proud keep me smiling every day. My struggles shaped me, and they give me the fight, empathy, and determination I will carry to Congress to serve the people of Maryland’s 1st District.
I believe previous government experience can be helpful, but it is not the most important qualification. What matters most is the desire and ability to serve the people. Members of Congress are employees of their district, and our bosses are every constituent; even those who did not vote for us. To do this job well, you have to be empathetic, accessible, and accountable.
I’ve had the privilege of working on campaigns, including Virginia’s Coordinated Campaign, which gave me a front-row seat to a congressional race and taught me just as much about what not to do as what works. But my strongest qualification is not paid political experience; it’s real life.
I know what it feels like to stretch every dollar to keep food on the table, to wonder how the bills will get paid, to cut back so the kids have what they need, and to dream of the day you can finally put everything on autopay. I know what it means when childcare costs are so high they push families to the brink, or when wages don’t reflect the hard work people are putting in. These experiences ground me in the urgency of what people in Maryland’s 1st District face every day.
That’s why I’m running. Because when you’ve lived it, you don’t need a briefing paper to tell you what’s broken; you’re ready to fight for solutions that make life better. Over the next decade, our nation’s greatest challenges will be rebuilding trust; in our government, in one another, and with our allies abroad. At home, we must strengthen healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA, protect benefits like SNAP, and restore stability by bringing back federal jobs and keeping costs under control. We must also confront extremism and the politics of chaos that put party over people’s needs. Beyond that, we face the urgent realities of climate change, which threatens our economy and communities, especially on the Eastern Shore. Meeting these challenges requires empathy, accountability, and a return to commonsense leadership that puts people first.
I can’t point to just one representative I want to model myself after, because the leaders I admire most share a set of values, not a single mold. Shirley Chisholm is at the top of that list — “Unbought and Unbossed” — the first Black Woman in Congress and a trailblazer for so many of us. I also look to John Lewis for his courage to make “good trouble,” to Maxine Waters and Bobby Scott for their deep advocacy, and to today’s leaders like Abigail Spanberger, Jasmine Crockett, Sarah McBride, and Lauren Underwood, who are unapologetically themselves and fiercely rooted in their communities. They all show that the best representatives stand firm for their people, lead authentically, and get real results. That’s the legacy I hope to carry forward.
Yes. Compromise is necessary for policymaking, because at the end of the day people need results, not gridlock. That doesn’t mean abandoning core values or breaking faith with the community you serve, but it does mean bending when it helps move us forward.
There are certain principles I will always stand firm on: healthcare is a human right, our Bay and environment must be protected for future generations, veterans must have the benefits and support they’ve earned, and our children deserve well-funded schools and respected teachers. On these, there’s no breaking.
In the work of Congress, progress often requires negotiation. I am willing to work on commonsense solutions that lower the cost of living, strengthen rural healthcare access, secure infrastructure for our bridges, roads, and waterways, and restore stability to federal jobs. If compromise helps deliver those results, then it’s not weakness; it’s leadership. My bottom line is simple: I will do what it takes to improve the lives of the people of Maryland’s 1st District. The House’s responsibility to originate revenue bills is one of its most important powers, because it decides how we fund the priorities that matter most to the people. For me, that means making sure rural hospitals and healthcare programs are supported, that our schools and teachers have the resources they need, and that critical infrastructure (from bridges and roads to the waterways that sustain our Shore) is properly funded. It also means safeguarding benefits for veterans and ensuring working families aren’t crushed by rising costs. My focus would be to use that power to put people first and direct federal dollars where they make the most impact in Maryland’s 1st District.
The House should use its investigative powers responsibly and sparingly. Oversight is essential to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted and that federal agencies are serving the people as intended. But endless partisan investigations that go nowhere only waste time and money. I believe these powers should be used to address real issues that impact people’s daily lives ( like why insulin costs $300 here but $30 in Canada) or why rural hospitals keep closing despite federal support. And when there is evidence of criminal activity or corruption, investigations must be thorough and fair. At the end of the day, the goal of oversight should be solutions, not political theater.
The accomplishment I am most proud of is ongoing: being a full-time mom and fighting every day for my children’s health, education, and future. Advocating for them has taught me perseverance, patience, and how to navigate systems that don’t always work for everyday families. Running for Congress while raising my boys is not easy, but it is proof that I will always put them (and the people of Maryland’s 1st District) first.
For me, the greatest accomplishment is showing them, and my community, that we can rise to the challenge no matter the odds
The most urgent legislation we need is the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Supreme Court has gutted key parts of the original Voting Rights Act, and the result has been voter suppression laws across the country that disproportionately impact communities of color, young people, and rural voters. Every American should have equal and fair access to the ballot box, no matter their zip code. I would also support legislation that expands early voting, protects vote-by-mail, strengthens election security, and ends partisan gerrymandering. Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and protecting that right is non-negotiable.
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External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 11, 2025
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