DENTON, Md. - Maryland's Secretary of Housing and Community Development Jake Day is responding to growing questions about whether he'll run for Congress in 2026.
Day, a Wicomico County native, previously served on the Salisbury City Council and as Salisbury Mayor.
During a meeting with community and business leaders in Denton on Wednesday, WBOC asked Day if he's running.
"I'm 100 percent focused on my job. I've been asked that question a lot lately. My focus is on the people of Maryland and housing," he said.
A website titled "Jake Day for Congress Exploratory Committee" was recently shared with WBOC. It features a donation portal, and at the bottom says it was "Paid for by Jake Day for Congress Exploratory Committee." Day says he's not behind the website but is aware of it.
WBOC's Hunter Landon pressed Day: "So nobody behind that website is either working for you or with you? You have no coordination on that website?"
"It is not my website, no." Day responded.
During a visit to Queen Anne's County last week, WBOC asked Day's boss, Governor Wes Moore about the rumored run.
"I'm thankful for his leadership, I'm proud of his leadership. I have not discussed this with him but I know Secretary Day is a remarkable leader," the Governor said.
In response to that support, Day said "I appreciate my boss' vote of confidence. I think that's why I'm in the job I'm in. He trusts me, he believes in me and I really appreciate it. It does mean the world to me."
If Day were to run, it would likely be as a Democrat. Maryland's first congressional district, comprised of the Eastern Shore, Cecil, Harford and part of Baltimore County, has an eight point advantage for Republicans. The incumbent Republican, Representative Andy Harris has been elected eight times to the seat.
It's unclear if Harris plans to run for re-election in 2026. We reached out to his team for comment on Day's potential run, but did not hear back.