Maryland Democrat Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat and representative of the Fifth Congressional District since 1981, announced on January 8, 2026, that he will not seek reelection, concluding a career spanning more than 60 years in public service and nearly 45 years in Congress. The 86-year-old lawmaker is set to announce the House floor Thursday morning, following reports the previous day that he had decided over the holidays not to run again.
Hoyer, who served as House Majority Leader and the second-ranking Democrat under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, cited a wish to avoid overstaying his effectiveness. He told The Washington Post he did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed, outstayed his or her ability to do the job.
The decision comes amid a wave of retirements among senior Democrats, including Pelosi in late 2025 and Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina the year prior. Hoyer’s tenure as the third-longest-serving House member overall positioned him as a key figure in Maryland politics, with deep ties to Southern Maryland counties of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s, as well as parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. The district, redrawn after the 1990 Census to incorporate all of Southern Maryland, remained a Democratic stronghold under his watch, rarely drawing competitive challenges.
Hoyer’s political journey began in 1962 as a staffer for U.S. Sen. Daniel Brewster, D-Md., alongside future Speaker Pelosi. He entered the Maryland State Senate in 1966 at age 27, becoming its youngest president in 1975. After a 1978 primary loss for lieutenant governor, he won a special election in 1981 to fill the House seat vacated by Rep. Gladys Noon Spellman. In Congress, Hoyer rose to leadership, serving as Majority Leader from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, before stepping aside to allow younger leaders to advance. He returned to the Appropriations Committee, using his position to direct federal resources to the district.
Achievements in Southern Maryland include securing funding for local fire, EMS and rescue services. In 2021, departments received over $200,000 through the Relief Fund Act of 2021 for equipment and operations. The Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department obtained more than $50,000 from Homeland Security grants in 2019. Hoyer supported the Fire Grants and Safety Act in 2023 to provide direct aid for hiring and equipment.
He addressed community needs through visits and initiatives, such as touring End Hunger in Calvert County in 2023 to highlight food insecurity efforts. Hoyer honored exceptional educators annually, recognizing 17 in the Fifth District in 2023. In 2024, he backed $116,000 in grants for preserving historic African American sites in the region. His support for early education included the Judy Center in Charles County—named for his late wife—which marked 25 years in 2025 at Dr. Mudd Elementary.
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer has long advocated for Naval Air Station Patuxent River, known as NAS Pax River, a key installation in St. Mary’s County, Southern Maryland, that serves as the principal site for research, development, test, and evaluation of naval aircraft and weapons systems. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hoyer helped secure millions in federal funding for critical infrastructure and projects at the base over multiple fiscal years.
For example, in 2018, he announced that the House approved $16.4 million for projects at NAS Patuxent River as part of a federal funding bill, supporting ongoing operations and enhancements at the facility. He also contributed to securing $17.9 million in the FY2008 military construction appropriations bill for the Aircraft Prototype Facility (APF), which he described as a major milestone for Pax capabilities during its dedication ceremony in 2023. Additionally, earlier efforts included more than $21 million in the fiscal year 2005 Defense Appropriations bill for major defense projects at the station.
Hoyer has actively engaged with the base through site visits, tours, and dedication events to underscore its importance to national security and the local economy in Southern Maryland. In 2019, he toured NAS Patuxent River with Congressman Anthony Brown (D-MD-04) and stated, “I appreciated the opportunity to visit Naval Air Station Patuxent River this morning and learn more about how Congress can support the important work being done in Southern Maryland. I’ve been proud to advocate for NAS Patuxent River and the vital role it plays in our national defense.”
He dedicated a new $24 million Joint Strike Fighter Facility at Pax River in 2018, highlighting its role in housing test aircraft for advanced jet fighter technology. Hoyer also supported funding for family-oriented facilities, such as $17 million for child development center expansions to aid service members and federal employees. His consistent work has helped maintain and grow the base’s capabilities, preserving jobs and bolstering economic impact in the region, where NAS Patuxent River remains a cornerstone of Southern Maryland’s defense-related employment and innovation.
As a moderate counterbalance to Pelosi’s more liberal approach, Hoyer contributed to major legislation like the Affordable Care Act in 2010. His endorsements influenced Maryland Democrats, and facilities such as a research site at National Archives II in Prince George’s County bear his name. He mentored emerging leaders, including Rep. Sarah Elfreth, a former intern.
The retirement opens the deep-blue Fifth District seat to competition. Five Democrats had filed by early 2026, including Quincy Bareebe from Anne Arundel County, Elldwnia English from St. Mary’s County, Terry Antonio Jackson 2nd from Prince George’s County, Harry Jarin from Anne Arundel County, and Tracy Starr from Anne Arundel County, per the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Jarin launched his challenge in 2025, focusing on age and generational change. Names like Dels. Adrian Boafo and Nicole Williams from Prince George’s County, and former Bowie Mayor Tim Adams, have surfaced as potential contenders. Williams indicated strong consideration, stating she received supportive messages and thanking Hoyer for his service. She said he is going to leave big shoes for us to fill.
Speculation about Hoyer’s plans had persisted for years, with the congressman remaining coy and appearing active at events like his 2025 bull roast. The open seat may draw more entrants, potentially altering representation in Southern Maryland. Hoyer’s exit reflects broader Democratic efforts toward renewal while leaving a record of sustained federal support for the district alongside questions about long-term incumbency. His departure, effective at the end of the current term in January 2027, marks the close of an era in Maryland politics.