Ocean City, Maryland, will have a new mayor for the first time in two decades after longtime incumbent Rick Meehan was defeated by City Council President Matt James in the town’s municipal election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
According to election results released by the Town of Ocean City, James received 1,438 votes compared to Meehan’s 1,136, a difference of 302 votes. The result brings an end to Meehan’s 20-year tenure as mayor, a position he had held continuously since 2006.
James has served on the Ocean City Council since first being elected in November 2014 and has held the position of Council President since 2020. He also serves on the town’s Police Commission and chairs both the Tourism Commission and Pension Committee.
According to his campaign website, James began his involvement in community service at a young age through the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company. He was an active member of the Ocean City Fire Department from 2006 to 2022, serving as a firefighter, rescue swimmer, and lieutenant.
Outside of local government, James has an extensive background in Ocean City’s hospitality industry. He is the co-founder of James Hospitality and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Partner, overseeing hotel operations, capital projects, and financial performance. He was named Ocean City’s Young Professional of the Year by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business.
During his campaign, James emphasized protecting Ocean City’s communities and Boardwalk while maintaining the resort town’s appeal to families and visitors.
The election also included four candidates competing for Town Council seats. Carol Proctor received the most votes with 1,819, followed by Billy Apostolou with 1,596, Larry Noccolino with 1,457, and Wayne Johnson with 1,001.
