Can Edwards’ Endorsement Help Shade Upset McKay in District 1?

There might be some upsets on Tuesday as some favorites and incumbents could be in trouble. There could be an upset alert in Western Maryland.

When First District state Senator George Edwards announced that he was not seeking reelection in 2022, it was assumed he would be replaced by one of the delegates in the District. Sure, enough District 1C Del. Mike McKay filed to run for the vacant senate seat in the Western Maryland district.

Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade also filed to run for the state senate in District 1, but he was supposed to be the sacrificial lamb to McKay.

Now it appears that this race has turned upside down as Edwards has endorsed Shade and not McKay. Shade announced that Edwards was supporting him on his Facebook page.

“I have watched and worked with Jake and have seen his positive growth in his position as Allegany County Commissioner. I am sure that his attitude will carry over to the Senate where I know he will do a very good job and that is why I support him.” Edwards said in a statement about Shade.

McKay has been the center of controversy and has been called out by fellow Republicans. The Political Organization “Change Annapolis” called out McKay in 2020 when he was a co-sponsor of a bill (HB 231) which would force landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers. Change Annapolis pointed out that McKay was the only Republican co-sponsoring that bill.