Who's running in Maryland's 5th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act after the Louisiana v. Callais ruling.
Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 and indexing it to inflation.
Protecting the district's more than 83,000 federal workers from political retaliation.
Refocusing immigration enforcement on real threats, funding immigration judges and expanding legal visa pathways.
Measured data centre development with renewable energy requirements and protections for ratepayers.
Taxing billionaires, closing the carried interest loophole, and accelerating rural broadband in Southern Maryland.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Maryland House of Delegates, District 23, since 2023; member of the Economic Matters Committee.
Former Bowie City Council member for District 3 and mayor pro tem.
Former staffer for Rep. Xavier Becerra and campaign manager for Steny Hoyer.
Sponsored Maryland's ICE Breaker Act; co-sponsored the Maryland Protect Our Federal Workers Act and the Retire in Maryland Tax Relief Act.
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 32.7% in a 23-candidate field.
Endorsed by Rep. Steny Hoyer, Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
Backed in the primary by outside spending from the pro-crypto super PAC Protect Progress and AIPAC's United Democracy Project; outside groups spent about $12.5 million on the race overall.
Raised $1.68 million through June 30, 2026, with $91,867 on hand.
Arguments in favor
He brings a ground-level understanding of working families in communities like Clinton, Largo and Brandywine, and a record of standing up for them — first to call for a moratorium on utility rate hikes, and a sponsor of wage-theft protections.
— Adrian Boafo, Baltimore Sun and Capital Gazette voter guide
He had the backing of the retiring incumbent, the governor and a US senator, and ran on fighting the Trump administration and affordability.
— Washington Examiner reporting on the primary
Arguments against
He benefited from heavy outside spending by the pro-crypto super PAC Protect Progress and AIPAC's United Democracy Project, and his primary rivals Quincy Bareebe, Harry Dunn and Rushern Baker held a joint press conference calling on him to reject the money; Boafo replied that he had long condemned outside spending.
— Democratic primary opponents, reported by the Washington Examiner
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Boafo by Chris Chaffee or the NRCC could be found.
Whether Boafo will debate Chaffee had not been reported.
Lowering electricity, gas, food and housing costs, including streamlining residential and commercial permitting.
Stopping legislators' pay when budgets are not passed or balanced, and ending shutdowns.
Term limits, pledging to serve no more than three terms.
Funding the Defense Department and protecting military bases such as Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
Supporting President Trump's economic plan while opposing US 'boots on the ground' in Iran.
Faster rebuilding of the Key Bridge and a new Calvert–St. Mary's crossing.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Home builder, home improvement contractor and farmer; business started in 1991.
Republican nominee for US Senate in Maryland in 2022.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary with 51.2% over Michelle Talkington and Bryan DuVal Cubero.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
With Hoyer retiring after 45 years, this is 'a 1 in 45-year opportunity' for Southern Maryland: a small business owner, builder and farmer with deep roots in all five counties who will work with everyone and put hardworking Americans first.
— Chris Chaffee campaign site
Arguments against
The district has been held by a Democrat since 1981, Hoyer beat the last Republican nominee by more than 35 points in 2024, and the Democratic nominee is expected to win easily.
— Washington Examiner reporting; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Chaffee by name could be found — not from Boafo's campaign, the DCCC, or Maryland coverage.
His fundraising totals were not found.
Whether he will debate Boafo had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Maryland held its primaries on June 23, 2026. This is an open seat: Rep. Steny Hoyer, who held it since 1981, is retiring. Two candidates are on the November ballot: Democratic state Del. Adrian Boafo, Hoyer's former campaign manager, who won a 23-candidate primary with 32.7% over Quincy Bareebe (17.3%), former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn (14.0%) and others; and Republican Chris Chaffee, who won his primary with 51.2% over Michelle Talkington and Bryan DuVal Cubero. Outside groups spent about $12.5 million on the Democratic primary, one of the most expensive in the country. The roster is confirmed against the Maryland State Board of Elections' 2026 general election candidate list, which also shows that unaffiliated petition candidates Jonathan Burruss and Brian S. Jordan failed to submit enough signatures. A write-in candidate on the list is not profiled because write-ins are not printed on the ballot. Candidates appear here in the order the Board lists them. The district covers Southern Maryland — Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties — plus parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties. Forecasters rate it safe Democratic. Boafo had $91,867 on hand as of June 30, 2026 after raising $1.68 million.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Maryland ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Maryland State Board of Elections.