Dornan, say that two factors — Trump's endorsement and the DGA ad blitz — allowed Cox to advance to the general election. Other observers, including former Maryland lieutenant governor and Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele, say the ads had little impact on voters, highlighting that far-right politician and neo-Confederate activist Michael Peroutka had won the Attorney General primary on the same ballot by an almost identical margin to Cox, even though the DGA did not run any ads on his behalf. Candidates Nominee Dan Cox, state delegate for the fourth district (2019–2023) and nominee for MD-08 in 2016 Running mate: Gordana Schifanelli, attorney Eliminated in primary Robin Ficker, former member of the Maryland House of Delegates for district 15B (1979–1983), attorney, sports heckler and perennial candidate Running mate: LeRoy F. Yegge Jr. Kelly Schulz, former Maryland Secretary of Commerce (2019–2022), former Maryland Secretary of Labor (2015–2019) and former member of the Maryland House of Delegates for district 4A (2011–2015) Running mate: Jeff Woolford, former Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health (2021–2022) Joe Werner, attorney and Democratic nominee for MD-01 in 2016 Running mate: Minh Thanh Luong Declined Barry Glassman, Harford County executive (2014–2023) (ran for Comptroller) Andy Harris, U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district (2011–present) (ran for re-election) J. B. Jennings, former minority leader of the Maryland Senate (2014–2020) and state senator for the seventh district (ran for re-election, endorsed Schulz) Allan Kittleman, former Howard County executive (2014–2018) (ran for Howard County executive, endorsed Schulz) Kim Klacik, radio talk show host and nominee for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2020 (endorsed Cox) Boyd Rutherford, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (2015–2023) (endorsed Schulz) Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chairman (2009–2011), nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006, and former lieutenant governor of Maryland (2003–2007) Endorsements Debates and forums The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland hosted the first Republican gubernatorial candidate forum on October 15, 2021. Candidates Daniel Cox and Robin Ficker attended the event, where they informed voters of color about their policies surrounding the Black Agenda. Kelly Schulz missed the event due to a prior commitment. At the end of the forum, Darryl Barnes asked all of the attending candidates to post a Black agenda to their campaign websites by November 1; none of the Republican candidates running for governor complied with this request. The Maryland Latino Legislative Caucus of Maryland hosted the second Republican gubernatorial