Boafo Claims Primary Victory
Maryland Del. Adrian Boafo Secures Democratic Primary Win to Succeed Rep. Steny Hoyer
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Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo, 32, has won the Democratic primary in the state's 5th Congressional District, beating out 23 other candidates to succeed retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer, according to AP News. Boafo, a former campaign manager for Hoyer himself, was projected the winner on the night of June 23, 2026, after polls closed at 8:00 PM.
The district, rated D+50 by Cook Political Report, is one of the safest Democratic seats in the country. Boafo is now the heavy favorite to win the November 3 general election and join the 120th Congress.
Hoyer's Endorsement Helped Boafo Clear a Crowded Field
Rep. Steny Hoyer, 86, announced his retirement in January 2026 after 45 years in Congress. He said he wanted "generational change." Within weeks, 24 Democrats and 3 Republicans filed to run for his seat, according to Cook Political Report. It was the first open race for the district since 1981.
Hoyer endorsed Boafo on January 23, 2026, just days after his retirement announcement, according to Ballotpedia. Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks also backed Boafo. That wall of establishment support set him apart from a field that included former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker III.
Super PACs Poured $11 Million Into the Race
Outside groups spent roughly $11 million on the primary, according to Washington Post. The crypto-backed super PAC Protect Progress alone spent $4.8 million to boost Boafo, according to Maryland Wire. The pro-Israel group United Democracy Project, run by AIPAC, spent another $2.8 million on his behalf.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen warned voters to "beware" of outside groups "trying to buy this congressional seat," according to Washington Post. Critics, including outlets like The Baltimore Banner, argued that crypto and pro-Israel donors drowned out grassroots candidates like Dunn, who ran on a pro-democracy platform after his high-profile role during the January 6 insurrection.
Boafo's Policy Agenda Mixes Continuity and New Ideas
Boafo centered his campaign on "affordability, economic concerns, and winning back the House," according to FOX 5 DC. He supports a Medicare for All public option on healthcare. He also backs what he calls "ICE Breaker" legislation, which would limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, according to Maryland Wire.
Political analyst Jacob Rubashkin of Inside Elections called the result "historic." He noted that voters chose a candidate with deep ties to outgoing leadership over a celebrity or outsider, according to CBS News. At 32, Boafo represents the generational shift Hoyer called for — while still carrying the legacy of his mentor.
What Comes Next for Maryland's 5th District
The general election is set for November 3, 2026. Because the district leans Democratic by roughly 50 points, Boafo is expected to win easily, according to Cook Political Report. No Republican candidate is seen as a serious threat in a district that covers Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties, plus parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel.
Hoyer was first elected in 1981 and served as House Majority Leader twice. His seat has not been open in 45 years. Boafo, his former campaign manager, is now set to carry on his legacy — but with a younger face and a new set of priorities for a district that has changed dramatically since Hoyer first took office, according to Ballotpedia.
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