In November 2018, Sample-Hughes described herself as "a more traditional Democrat", pointing to a divide between herself and
progressive members of the legislature. Sample-Hughes has cited
Barbara Mikulski as her political role model.
Education Sample-Hughes supports increasing funding for school construction projects and increasing personnel pay. She has expressed concerns about Eastern Shore counties' ability to implement the
Blueprint for Maryland's Future reforms, In 2015, Sample-Hughes expressed apprehension with proposal to adopt an elected school board in Wicomico County, saying that she worried that the school board would not accurately represent the county's diversity. During the 2023 legislative session, Sample-Hughes voted against a bill that would require teachers to go through
virtual education training. Sample-Hughes supported an unsuccessful amendment to the bill that would have allowed Eastern Shore school systems to continue using a private company for contracting its virtual education services. In February 2025, during debate on a bill that would require public schools to teach age-appropriate health education that included sexual orientation, family, and gender identity courses, Sample-Hughes was the only Democrat to vote for an amendment proposed by state delegate
April Rose that would have allowed parents to opt their students out of gender and sexual orientation health education courses. She was also the only Democrat to vote against the bill.
Environment In 2019, Sample-Hughes voted against a bill banning oyster harvesting in five
Chesapeake Bay sanctuaries. During the 2023 legislative session, Sample-Hughes voted in favor of the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources Act, which would quadruple the state's offshore wind capacity by 2031. In March 2026, she supported the Utility RELIEF Act, but said that the legislature should have done more to provide relief to Maryland ratepayers. She also expressed support for various Republican amendments introduced to the bill.
Fiscal issues During the 2023 legislative session, Sample-Hughes said she supported the Fair Wage Act of 2023, which would raise the minimum wage to
$15 an hour by 2024, but opposed a provision that would index increases to the state's minimum wage to inflation, and later supported a committee amendment to remove this provision. In April 2024, Sample-Hughes was the only Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates to vote against a bill that raised Maryland's tobacco tax and vehicle registration fees to pay for state transportation projects. In January 2025, she said she opposed tax increases to address the state's $3 billion budget deficit—noting the national economic landscape and suggesting that
income tax increases on millionaires would cause wealthier individuals to move out of the state—instead preferring to cut funding for government agencies without burdening counties. She also supported proposals to eliminate the
inheritance tax.
Gun control During the 2018 legislative session, Sample-Hughes voted for
red flag bills, which she described as a "tool that can be used to intervene in and prevent a crisis situation". During the 2023 legislative session, she voted against the Gun Safety Act of 2023, an omnibus gun control bill that increased requirements and fees to obtain a handgun permit, strengthened safe storage requirements, and prohibited carrying guns near certain locations. Sample-Hughes later questioned the legislation, claiming it would create "unnecessary challenges" when it comes to allowing people to legally carry guns. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.
Marijuana During the 2015 legislative session, Sample-Hughes voted in favor of legislation to increase participation in the state's medical marijuana industry.
Paid family and sick leave During the 2015 legislative session, Sample-Hughes supported a bill to require private employers to provide employees with accrued sick leave. In 2022, she supported legislation requiring businesses and workers to contribute to a state-run medical leave program.
Policing In 2020, Speaker
Adrienne A. Jones appointed Sample-Hughes to the Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland. The work group released its recommendations in October, which included repealing the state's
Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights and regulating the
types of force that police could use during arrests. These recommendations were incorporated into the Police Reform and Accountability Act, which Sample-Hughes voted in favor of during the 2021 legislative session. In October 2020, Sample-Hughes expressed concern with proposed budget cuts by Governor
Larry Hogan that would've required the
Maryland State Police to close one of its helicopter bases, which she feared would affect public health and safety on the Eastern Shore. Hogan later announced that state officials would no longer consider closing one of the state police's helicopter bases. She was the only Democrat to vote against the congressional redistricting plan proposed by the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, which would redraw
Maryland's 1st congressional district to improve the Democratic Party's chances of winning it, saying that she "wouldn't want anyone to silence my voice, and have had people who have attempted to do that". At the same time, she told
The Baltimore Banner that it would be good if a Democrat could unseat U.S. representative
Andy Harris, citing the actions of the
second Trump administration and Republicans in Congress.
Social issues In 2019, Sample-Hughes said she supported legislation to establish the Maryland Truth and Reconciliation Commission to document racially motivated lynchings in the state's history. During the 2021 legislative session, she introduced legislation to remove "
Maryland, My Maryland" as the state's official anthem. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan. Sample-Hughes later attended a rally in June 2021 to call for the removal of the Talbot Boys statue in Easton, which was the last
Confederate monument on public land in Maryland. During the 2022 legislative session, Sample-Hughes voted against the Trans Health Equity Act, which requires the state's
Medicaid program to cover
gender-affirming treatment. She voted against the bill again when it was reintroduced in 2023, and later said she opposed the bill because of her religious and personal beliefs. == Personal life ==