Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-5th) and Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s) appeared together Monday, March 2, 2026, at the Kenhill Center in Bowie for their first joint campaign event, kicking off a tour of Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The appearance, about a month after Hoyer’s January 23 endorsement of Boafo as his successor, underscores the veteran congressman’s active support in a crowded Democratic primary to replace him after 45 years in office.
Hoyer, who announced his retirement in January 2026, praised Boafo’s effectiveness based on direct experience. Boafo previously served as Hoyer’s campaign manager from 2019 to 2021 and has worked closely with him on district issues. “There are a lot of people in this race … but the reason I decided to endorse and urge the people of this district to select Adrian as their member of Congress is because I’ve seen firsthand how effective he is,” Hoyer told supporters at the event. He highlighted seeing Boafo “not only in a campaign context, but in a subtext of dealing with issues.”
The 5th District, covering parts of Prince George’s County, Southern Maryland counties including Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s, and other areas, remains solidly Democratic, making the June 23, 2026, primary the decisive contest. By the filing deadline, 24 Democrats, three Republicans, and three independents had entered the race, creating one of the most competitive fields in recent Maryland congressional history.
Boafo, 31, a freshman delegate representing Prince George’s County’s 23rd Legislative District, positioned himself as a coalition-builder. He acknowledged the competition but emphasized unity, noting the presence of his legislative colleagues—Sen. Ron Watson and Dels. Kym Taylor and Marvin Holmes—who attended to endorse his bid. Boafo reflected on Hoyer’s constituent interactions: “Even if you disagreed with him, he would give you his opinion, and he owed you that as his constituent. Not to say what you wanted to hear, [but] what he thought was best for America and for this great state,” Boafo said. “And that’s the exact energy we’re going to bring.”
Other notable Democratic contenders holding elected office include Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles), Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s), Charles County Board of Commissioners President Reuben Collins II, and Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay. High-profile non-incumbents feature former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who placed second in the 2024 Democratic primary for Maryland’s 3rd District, and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III.
The event launched a series of meet-the-voter stops across the district’s five counties, aiming to introduce Boafo broadly while leveraging Hoyer’s longstanding network. Hoyer’s endorsement, announced January 23, highlighted Boafo’s character, experience, and ability to deliver results. The race reflects a generational shift in the district, with Boafo representing younger leadership in a seat long held by the 86-year-old Hoyer, a former House majority leader.
Southern Maryland voters in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties, portions of which fall in the 5th District, stand to gain insight into candidates’ priorities through the tour. The primary will determine representation for issues like federal funding, economic development, and military base support near Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Another retiring lifelong, low achieving politician, shepherding In another soon to be a life long, accomplishment-less politician who has already endorsed a series of life-long low achieving politicians.
The inept embarrassing PGC continues.