# Comptroller
**In one sentence:** The comptroller collects state taxes, keeps Maryland’s financial accounts, and helps approve state spending; statewide voters may vote for up to one candidate.[1]

## The candidates
### Brooke Elizabeth Lierman (Democratic) [2]
- **Background:** Current comptroller, elected in 2022; previously a civil rights and disability rights lawyer and an eight-year member of Maryland’s House of Delegates.[2]
- **Top stated priorities:** In her voter-guide answers, Lierman emphasizes easier tax filing, access to tax credits for workers and families, and state contracts that consider labor standards and minority-owned businesses.[2]
- **Record or experience relevant to this office:** She serves on the Board of Public Works, which approves major state spending; she says she has expanded taxpayer assistance and improved public reporting on contracts.[1][2]

### Sonya Dunn (Republican) [2]
- **Background:** Dunn describes herself as a business executive, retired military spouse, and advocate for people with autism and military families.[3]
- **Top stated priorities:** In her voter-guide answers, Dunn emphasizes cautious revenue forecasts, stronger financial oversight, and keeping state contract dollars in Maryland; she opposes the 2025 tax increases on capital gains and IT/data services.[2]
- **Record or experience relevant to this office:** Her campaign lists her as founder and CEO of JEMH Enterprises and describes experience with government purchasing, contracts, and compliance with rules; these are her campaign’s own claims.[3]

## Where they differ
- **Taxes:** Dunn explicitly opposes the 2025 increases noted above, arguing they discourage investment; Lierman’s answer stresses fair tax administration and access to credits, without stating a position on those increases.[2]
- **Contracts:** Lierman lists vendor performance, minority-business goals, labor standards, and local impact; Dunn names whether a firm is Maryland-based as her primary factor, alongside workforce impact and accountability.[2]
- **Revenue forecasts:** Lierman points to updated forecasts and current tax-system data; Dunn proposes cautious forecasts that account for businesses and taxpayers leaving Maryland.[2]

## If you care most about...
- **Help filing taxes** -> Lierman says she expanded offices and call-center staffing; Dunn’s campaign calls for better communication and accountability.[2][3]
- **Business costs** -> Dunn argues against the specified tax increases; Lierman says she has supported small businesses and easier filing.[2]
- **Where state dollars go** -> Lierman emphasizes contract quality, labor standards, and minority-business goals; Dunn emphasizes Maryland firms and keeping spending within the state.[2]
- **Budget risk** -> Lierman emphasizes timely data and adjusted forecasts; Dunn emphasizes cautious estimates and stronger oversight.[2]

## What we could not verify
Independent confirmation of Dunn’s listed career experience, comparable measures of both candidates’ management results, and the future effects of their proposals: Not found in sources checked.

## Confidence
**Medium.** Both candidates provide specific answers in the same voter guide, but their performance claims are not independently verified here.[2][3]

## Sources
[1] About — Comptroller of Maryland — https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/about.html

[2] Comptroller: 2026 General Election Voter Guide — Maryland Matters — https://marylandmatters.org/voter-guides/contests/comptroller-comptroller/

[3] Meet Sonya Dunn — Sonya Dunn campaign (candidate’s own claims) — https://www.votesonyadunn.com/meet-sonya