Will Cunha

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Will Cunha

Unaffiliated

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Houston High School

Bachelor's

United States Naval Academy, 2011

Graduate

Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, 2018

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

2011 - 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Nashville, TN

Religion

Christian

Profession

Security Director

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Will Cunha (unaffiliated) ran for election to the Annapolis City Council to represent Ward 8 in Maryland. He lost in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Cunha completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Will Cunha was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2019. Cunha earned a high school diploma from Houston High School, a bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy in 2011, and a graduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College in 2018. His career experience includes working as a security director.

Cunha has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Boy Scouts of America
• ISC2
• Eastport Yacht Club
• Eastport Democratic Club
• Eastport United Methodist Church
• Eastport Civic Association

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Annapolis, Maryland (2025)

General election

General election for Annapolis City Council Ward 8

Frank Thorp defeated Will Cunha in the general election for Annapolis City Council Ward 8 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Frank Thorp (D)	63.3	1,128
		Will Cunha (Unaffiliated)	36.3	648
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	7

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,783
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Frank Thorp advanced from the Democratic primary for Annapolis City Council Ward 8.

Endorsements

To view Cunha's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Cunha in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Will Cunha completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cunha's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was first introduced to Annapolis as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. Graduating in 2011 and after serving in the Navy for five years, I eventually made my way back to DC and then Annapolis in 2020, where my husband and I started a local coffee shop in Eastport, Oscar's Coffee. After opening, we went on to build a home here and eventually got married right here in town. My current line of work is in cyber security, but I am also a member of the Eastport Yacht Club, a member of the Eastport Democratic Club, Eastport United Methodist Church, and a member of the Eastport Civic Association. Since moving here we have done everything we can to give back to the community which has been so gracious to us and which we love so much. Eastport is a special place because of the people who live here. We are grateful to call Eastport home and thoroughly enjoy being active members of the community.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Every single person in Eastport matters. Whether you rent or own, have lived here for two years or twenty, and regardless of which side of the political aisle you are on, you deserve someone on City Council who hears you and is going to fight for you.
• All Eastport residents are long overdue for someone who actually gets things done. We are the customers - the residents, business owners, and tax payers. Our City tax rate has gone up 40% in the past 15 years and for what? We need action and accountability on City Council that isn't beholden to partisan politics or special interests.
• At the end of the day, what most of us really care about is the ability to walk our child to school safely, to not have to worry about crime in our neighborhood, and to not have to stress about how we are going to continue to pay for our rising property taxes. Some might want you to believe that "being retired and having the time to dedicate to the job" is the answer, but the past several years have shown all of us otherwise. Passion and leadership are what Eastport needs and deserves.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

By far, the most concerning issues my neighbors have spoken to me about (and thus the ones I am most passionate about) are:

1) Public safety - from sidewalks and crosswalks to rising crime, we all deserve a safe place to live.
2) Affordability - The City continues to ask more and more of our residents to live here, but continues to provide less and less. We have fellow neighbors getting priced out of their homes or friends who want to start a family in Annapolis yet can't afford to move here. This can't continue.

3) Getting Things Done - From never receiving a call back or waiting months to get an answer on a permit, all of us are long overdue for a City that responds and gets things done.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Eastport itself is a special place - comprised of a wide ranging demographic and socioeconomic background in a limited geographic area, our uniqueness is what makes us so proud of our community. This uniqueness is the fabric that serves as the foundation for our community. As such, it is important for the person representing this Ward to not only understand, but also respect and represent that uniqueness in order to ensure that all members of the community feel seen and heard.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Selflessness, transparency, and honesty. From a young age I have been involved in public service - as a Boy Scout, an Officer in the Navy, serving in the Government, or now providing pup cups to our resident dogs. There is no higher calling than serving those around you. This is not about a victory lap or a retirement hobby, public service is about selflessly serving your friends and neighbors so you can have a tangible impact on their day to day lives. It doesn't matter what party you belong to, how much money you make, or what you do for a living - you matter.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I think my principles listed above are the same as the core responsibilities of someone elected to public office - selflessness, transparency, and honesty.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Having a positive impact on those around me and having fun along the way. Tim McGraw has a great song called, "Standing Room Only." I think that's a great characterization of my desired legacy.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was working at a local computer shop. I worked for free because I loved the work and was learning so much. It taught me the importance of loving what you do, learning from those around you, and working hard.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

To be honest, I have not really spent too much time researching the "little-known powers" associated with this position. I have been focused on how I can help my fellow friends and neighbors once elected. My responsibilities once elected are to the residents, business owners, and neighbors and to ensure they have a voice on City Council.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I believe it is important for the holders of this office to understand what is truly going on in the community, to have an unbiased position on the issues, and to do what is right for the residents and business owners, regardless of what a party or special interest might prefer. Sidewalks and crosswalks aren't partisan, and our City Council shouldn't be either.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Leadership. I have had hundreds of conversations with neighbors, business owners, and leaders in our community since starting this campaign journey. The most common response I have gotten when I asked about "what is missing" is "leadership." Genuine, transparent, honest leadership. Sometimes hard decisions or hard truths are necessary or part of the job, but strong leadership helps bring transparency, understanding, and unity during challenge.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The localness of it...This is a position to represent my neighbors and my friends. I want nothing more than to ensure all of us believe in our collective ability to have a positive future for our neighborhood, our neighbors, and our city.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Meeting and marrying the love of my life - my husband Garrett. He is the best thing that has happened to me and makes me a better person every single day.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Annapolis City Council Ward 8

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