State government and politics reporter

Sam Janesch

Sam Janesch covered politics and government throughout Maryland with a focus on Gov. Wes Moore, the Maryland General Assembly and the structures of power that impact Marylanders. He also reported from Washington, D.C. on Maryland's federal delegation and the affects of President Donald Trump's administration on the state. His award-winning reporting for The Baltimore Sun included coverage of Moore, the growing influence of Maryland lobbyists and voting rights. Before joining The Sun in 2022, Sam was an investigative political reporter at The Caucus in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where his coverage of politicians' spending of taxpayer money and campaign funds also won numerous awards. He is a graduate of Penn State University.

Governor Wes Moore, joined by state leaders and members of Congress, discussed the government shutdown and its impact on Maryland.

Maryland Dems deploy contingency plans during shutdown; blame game continues

October 12, 2025 at 10:33 a.m.

Gov. Wes Moore and other Maryland Democrats attributed the blame entirely to President Donald Trump while outlining the stakes for the coming weeks.

Maryland's State House in Annapolis.

Maryland officials say shutdown could mean $700,000 daily loss for state revenues

September 30, 2025 at 6:03 p.m.

Maryland officials mobilized Tuesday ahead of a potential federal government shutdown that they said would put a significant strain on the state

Maryland lottery balls are displayed in 2005.

Maryland Lottery contract fight stalled again as commission rejects proposal

September 26, 2025 at 5:20 a.m.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission voted Thursday not to advance a $371 million bid from the state’s longtime lottery operator

Maryland State House in Annapolis where a projected $3.3 billion budget deficit became a central issue during the 2025 legislative session.

Maryland evades financial fallout from Trump’s federal worker firing, for now, officials say

September 25, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Still, with more than 15,000 federal jobs in Maryland already lost and thousands potentially coming, the hits are on their way, Comptroller Brooke Lierman warned Thursday

Gov. Wes Moore, right, talks with Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, a Queen Anne’s County Republican who is exploring a campaign for governor. (Sam Janesch/Staff)

Gov. Wes Moore and his potential GOP challengers converge at crab and clam bake

September 24, 2025 at 6:34 p.m.

The J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield is a tradition for all on Maryland's political spectrum.

People gather around one of the last A-10s after the Maryland Air National Guard inactivation ceremony for the A-10 A-10C Thunderbolt II flying operations at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport. The last two A-10s will be transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard. (Kim Hairston/staff).

Maryland Air National Guard flying mission ends despite fight to preserve it

September 23, 2025 at 5:34 p.m.

The sun set on the flying operations of the Maryland Air National Guard on Tuesday after a nearly two-year stint in which officials tried to preserve it

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. after attending a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump axes shutdown talks; Maryland lawmakers point fingers

September 25, 2025 at 10:53 a.m.

The news comes as the deadline for Congress to avoid a federal government shutdown on Sept. 30..

Governor Wes Moore reinforces what his colleagues discussed, stating the importance of aiding Maryland residents shoulder the cost of increasing energy bills. He spoke flanked by members of both local government and the general assembly. (Surya Vaidy/Staff)

Moore says electric bill refunds are coming. Some Maryland GOP call it a ‘Band-Aid.’

September 22, 2025 at 5:34 p.m.

“Marylanders need relief now,” Moore said. “Not next month. Not next year. Marylanders need relief right now. It is fair, it is justified, and it is overdue.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore holds a press conference on Lawyers Mall outside the State House. Moore spoke about several things, including his re-election bid.

How Gov. Wes Moore’s economic growth agenda bets big on quantum computing

September 21, 2025 at 5:07 a.m.

Gov. Wes Moore continues to rally for Maryland being the “the global capital of quantum.”

Maryland State House in Annapolis where a projected $3.3 billion budget deficit became a central issue during the 2025 legislative session.

Campaign announcements highlight ‘glaring hole’ in Maryland election law

September 17, 2025 at 5:03 p.m.

Sen. Hershey raised concerns over the process where potential candidates can raise money in unlimited amounts without disclosing donors to “explore” their viability