Prince George’s County GOP debate spotlights taxes, energy and data centers

Prince George’s County Republicans used a packed debate to try to turn local frustration with taxes, energy costs and data centers into statewide traction, even as Maryland remains a heavily Democratic state and Gov. Wes Moore seeks reelection.

The Prince George’s County Republican Central Committee brought together John Myrick, L.D. Burkindine, Shannon Wright and Douglas Larcomb for a forum that put policy disputes ahead of party cheerleading. The sharpest exchanges centered on taxes, government spending, absentee ballots, energy policy and data centers, all issues with direct stakes for county voters who are already watching a projected FY2026 budget deficit of $130 million to $170 million.

Of those topics, data centers landed most squarely in Prince George’s County politics. County residents and officials have been arguing for months about how much the facilities bring in versus what they cost in power, land use and neighborhood disruption. By March 2026, the county already had five data centers. County Executive Aisha Braveboy then paused new permitting in September 2025 while a task force studied the impacts, giving the debate a clear local backdrop that went beyond generic anti-tax rhetoric.

The event also showed how uneven the Republican field remains. Maryland’s GOP gubernatorial primary is scheduled for June 23, 2026, and Ballotpedia lists nine Republicans running for governor, but only three of them, Myrick, Wright and Larcomb, appeared at a separate statewide debate on May 19. Six others stayed away, underscoring that the campaign has not yet settled into a single, unified contest. Burkindine filed with state election officials on February 18, 2026, and Larcomb filed on February 24, but Myrick entered first, filing in February 2025 before later adding former state Del. Brenda Thiam as his running mate for lieutenant governor.

For Myrick, the Prince George’s County appearance carried added weight. He lives in the county and has been building a profile in Republican politics since an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate in the 2024 GOP primary. That made him the most familiar local figure in the room, but the larger question remained whether the gathering reflected real organizing strength in Prince George’s County or simply enthusiasm within a small partisan base.

With the general election set for November 3, 2026, the county debate made one thing plain: Republicans are still trying to prove they can compete here, not just speak to each other.