Maryland voters participated in primary elections on Tuesday that will shape the state’s congressional and gubernatorial contests ahead of the November general election. The Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District drew significant attention following the retirement of longtime U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, a central figure in House Democratic leadership.
State Delegate Adrian Boafo, 32, emerged as the Democratic nominee to succeed Hoyer, securing endorsements from prominent figures including Hoyer himself and Governor Wes Moore. Boafo’s campaign was bolstered by contributions from tech firms, the cryptocurrency sector, and a super PAC backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which invested more than $1 million in support. In his victory speech, Boafo acknowledged Hoyer as a mentor and framed his win as a transition to new generational leadership while maintaining a pragmatic approach to governance.
Boafo’s victory came amid a crowded Democratic field featuring 24 candidates. Among his rivals were Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer notable for defending the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack, and progressive attorney Wala Blegay. Both Dunn and Blegay, who advocate for pro-Palestinian positions, criticized Boafo for his ties to the pro-Israel super PAC and other special interests. The most financially self-reliant candidate was Quincy Bareebe, a home health care CEO who invested over $3 million of her own money into the race.
Boafo will face Republican Chris Chaffee, a business owner, in the November election. Given the district’s strong Democratic leaning—seven of Maryland’s eight congressional seats are held by Democrats—the primary winner is generally favored to prevail in the general election.
On the gubernatorial front, Governor Wes Moore secured the Democratic nomination for a second term, signaling continued support for his leadership in the predominantly Democratic state. Republicans, seeking to reclaim the governorship last held by moderate Larry Hogan until 2023, nominated Dan Cox, an attorney and former state delegate known for his right-wing positions and alignment with former President Donald Trump. Cox pledged to reduce taxes and enhance housing affordability if elected.
The Republican field was fragmented with nine candidates, but Cox’s victory positioned him as a conservative standard-bearer. Voters like Jason Mangen cited concerns over Maryland’s budget as a factor in backing Cox, expressing hopes for fiscal discipline under his potential administration.
In the 6th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. April McClain Delaney fended off a primary challenge from former Rep. David Trone, who had sought to regain the seat he vacated in 2024. The contest between the two was marked by substantial self-funding—Trone contributed approximately $25 million to his campaign, while McClain Delaney invested over $7 million. Immigration policy was a key point of contention, with Trone criticizing McClain Delaney’s vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act, legislation that has drawn Republican support as an anti-immigrant measure.
The primary elections in Maryland are widely viewed as pivotal, especially given the state’s strongly partisan districts where the nominated candidates frequently become the presumptive winners in the general election. The races highlight ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over ideological direction and Republican efforts to regain influence in a state long dominated by Democrats.