Josh Hastings

Josh Hastings is the Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 38B, in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Republican Barry Beauchamp.[1][2] He is a Wicomico County councilmember and the founder of Sound Mind Strategies, an agricultural, environmental and natural resources consulting firm, according to his Ballotpedia survey.[3]

Hastings earned a high school diploma from Mardela High School, a bachelor's degree from Salisbury University in 2004, and a graduate degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2017, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he holds two bachelor's degrees from Salisbury University, in business and political science, a master's degree in public policy from UMBC, and a certificate in Strategic Management from Georgetown University.[3] He said he spent 15 years working within Maryland conservation nonprofits before founding Sound Mind Strategies.[3]

Hastings said he served two years as chair of the Rural Maryland Council and chairs the Local Government Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council.[3] He said he received the Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for Leadership and Service in December 2023.[3] On the Wicomico County Council, he listed among his accomplishments helping secure new primary schools in Mardela and Fruitland and a county water and sewer master plan.[3]

Hastings advanced unopposed from the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.[1] He said his priorities are improving people's lives, advancing a cleaner planet and thriving natural resources, and strengthening democratic institutions, and that Maryland needs to address the cost of energy, groceries and housing.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.