A 24-candidate Democratic primary will decide the next representative for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District after Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, retires following 45 years in Congress.
Hoyer announced his retirement in January 2026, ending a career that began with a special election victory in 1981. The solidly Democratic district covers Prince George’s County suburbs and all of Southern Maryland, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Voters will choose the nominee in the June 23, 2026, primary, with the general election set for November 3. The primary winner is heavily favored in November against the Republican nominee from a three-candidate field.
The Democratic field includes six current or former elected officials, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer known for his role defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, a self-funding businesswoman making her second bid for the seat, and others who began campaigning before Hoyer’s announcement. A similar large field appeared in Maryland’s 3rd District in 2024 after another longtime member retired.
The only publicly released poll, conducted for former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, showed him leading the field. Harry Dunn, the former Capitol Police officer who finished second in the 3rd District primary in 2024, placed second in the survey. Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay ranked third, with other candidates trailing further behind. The poll reflected Baker’s high name recognition from multiple countywide and statewide ballots between 2002 and 2025.
Fundraising has emerged as a key factor. Dunn reported raising about $2 million. Quincy Bareebe, CEO of a home health care business, has invested at least $3 million of her own money and has run early mailings, television and digital advertising. First-quarter Federal Election Commission filings showed the race surpassing $8 million in total spending or self-funding.
Current or former elected officials in the primary are Blegay, backed by Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and several council members; Del. Adrian Boafo of Prince George’s County, who carries Hoyer’s endorsement; Charles County Commission President Reuben Collins III; state Sen. Arthur Ellis of Charles County; and Del. Nicole Williams of Prince George’s County.
Analysts expect Dunn and Baker to remain major contenders through primary day despite noted weaknesses for each. Boafo is viewed as a strong candidate due to Hoyer’s active support, including joint campaign events and advertising featuring the longtime incumbent. Questions remain about whether the pro-Israel group AIPAC will invest in the race on Boafo’s behalf, as it has done in past Maryland congressional primaries. EMILY’s List, which backs Democratic women supporting abortion rights, has indicated it will not get involved.
Other dynamics include whether Blegay can leverage grass-roots energy or whether Bareebe’s spending can elevate her into the top tier. The race is expected to stay competitive until the final weeks before the June 23 primary.
Southern Maryland voters in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties will help decide the outcome in a district where the primary effectively chooses the next member of Congress. Issues such as federal workforce concerns, defense-related jobs near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, health care costs and regional economic growth are likely to surface as candidates campaign across the area.
Early voting is scheduled for June 11-18, 2026, with mail-in ballots expected to reach voters by mid-May. The large field and high spending mark one of the most expensive and crowded open-seat contests in recent Maryland history.
