Meet:
Josh Hastings
District 38B
Maryland State Delegate
Now more than ever, people don’t just want to believe in government and to believe in democracy; they want to see it in action. I sought the Forward Party endorsement because I believe in seeking truth, finding common ground, and to offering real solutions to shared challenges.
June 23, 2026
Jun 23, 2026
Josh Hastings is a husband, dad, small business owner, a County Councilmember and a candidate for Maryland State Delegate (D.38B). Josh is the Founder of Sound Mind Strategies – an agricultural, environmental, and natural resources consulting firm – and spent the last 15 years working within Maryland conservation nonprofits.
Josh has led numerous vital partnerships and collaboratives including: the Delmarva Land and Litter Collaborative, the Partners for Open Space coalition, and the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network. For two years, Josh served as the Chair of the Rural Maryland Council and he is the Chair of the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Executive Council’s Local Government Advisory Committee. In December 2023, Josh Hastings was chosen to receive the prestigious Maryland Sustainable Growth Award – in “Leadership and Service” – for helping create the Maryland Greenspace Equity program and to set a state goal of protecting 40% of Maryland land by 2040. Josh is an Institute for Policy Studies – New Economy Fellow, a LEAD Maryland alumnus, a UMD “Academy of Excellence in Local Governance” graduate and has earned a certificate in Strategic Management from Georgetown University.
Policy Objectives
Maryland needs to seriously address the high cost of energy, groceries, and housing. Maryland needs serious job opportunities. We need a future where all people have a fair shake at earning a living and living a peaceful life. We need stronger/safer public schools, a cleaner environment, and above all – fairness and opportunity for all. We (Maryland) shouldn’t be balancing our budget on the backs of prior commitments or on programs designed to comprehensively improve the lives of Marylanders. I support policies that:
Improve the lives of people
Support a cleaner planet and thriving natural resources; and
Protect and enhance democracy and democratic institutions.
Education Background
Josh has earned 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. He is also a Institute for Policy Studies – New Economy Fellow, a LEAD Maryland alumnus, and a University of Maryland “Academy of Excellence in Local Governance” graduate.