Ocean City Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Matt
James
Matt James is running for mayor of Ocean City in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Rick Meehan.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Matt JamesYou’re reading
- 02Rick MeehanIncumbent
Background
- About
- Matt James is president of the Ocean City Council and a co-founder of James Hospitality. He was first elected to the City Council in November 2014 and has been Council President since 2020.
- Campaign website
- electmattjames.com
On the record: Matt James
13 sourced01Boardwalk tram1 sourced position
Said he would support bringing back the Boardwalk tram if a safe solution were presented.
Forum answerOC Today-Dispatch · Oct 15, 2026Link
02Sports complex4 sourced positions
Named bringing a sports complex to northern Worcester County as one of his priorities.
Own statementBaltimore Sun (via Yahoo News) · Aug 7, 2026Link
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-05, on spending certain hotel rental tax money for a sports complex (passed 6-0, March 2026).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on advancing the $8.7 million purchase of 193 acres near Berlin for a sports complex to first reading (passed 7-0, August 2026).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 work session · Aug 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said in August 2026 he did not support the proposed Berlin site for the sports complex.
I do not see a way for our vision to co-exist with such opposition to this location.”
Own statementBayside Gazette · Aug 27, 2026Link
03Short-term rentals3 sourced positions
Said it was not right for some council members to keep pushing short-term rental restrictions after voters overturned minimum-stay rules in a 2025 referendum.
It was pretty clear what direction the residents wanted to go.”
Own statementBaltimore Sun (via Yahoo News) · Aug 7, 2026Link
Voted yes on Ordinance 2025-04, a minimum length of stay for short-term rentals in R-1 and MH districts (passed 4-3, March 2025).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, March 3, 2025 · Mar 3, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on directing staff to draft an ordinance capping short-term rental licenses in R-1 and MH districts at 10% of improved lots (passed 5-1, January 2026).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, January 13, 2026 work session · Jan 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Offshore wind1 sourced position
Said he has always opposed offshore wind projects near Ocean City, regardless of their distance from shore.
I just don't think the project will work.”
Own statementBaltimore Sun (via Yahoo News) · Aug 7, 2026Link
05Cost of living1 sourced position
Said he supports the homestead cap and would consider expanding the town's property reinvestment program.
Forum answerOC Today-Dispatch · Oct 15, 2026Link
06Budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-15, adopting the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget (passed 4-0, May 2026).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, May 18, 2026 · May 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-20, authorizing up to $18 million in general obligation bonds (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Council voteOcean City Mayor and City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Elections1 sourced position
Ran for City Council in 2022 (won).
Own statementTown of Ocean CityLink
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Matt James: their words and their votes on the same issue
Sports complex
In their words
Named bringing a sports complex to northern Worcester County as one of his priorities.
Aug 7, 2026 ·Baltimore Sun (via Yahoo News) · Aug 7, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-05, on spending certain hotel rental tax money for a sports complex (passed 6-0, March 2026).
Mar 2, 2026 ·Ocean City Mayor and City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026
Sports complex
In their words
Said in August 2026 he did not support the proposed Berlin site for the sports complex.
Aug 27, 2026 ·Bayside Gazette · Aug 27, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on advancing the $8.7 million purchase of 193 acres near Berlin for a sports complex to first reading (passed 7-0, August 2026).
Aug 11, 2026 ·Ocean City Mayor and City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 work session · Aug 11, 2026
Rental limits
In their words
Said it was not right for some council members to keep pushing short-term rental restrictions after voters overturned minimum-stay rules in a 2025 referendum.
Aug 7, 2026 ·Baltimore Sun (via Yahoo News) · Aug 7, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Ordinance 2025-04, a minimum length of stay for short-term rentals in R-1 and MH districts (passed 4-3, March 2025).
Mar 3, 2025 ·Ocean City Mayor and City Council minutes, March 3, 2025 · Mar 3, 2025
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