Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), one of the longest-serving members of Congress in American history, has announced that this will be his final term serving on Capitol Hill.
First elected in a 1981 special election, he is currently the senior-most Democrat and third-most senior individual currently serving in Congress.
“I did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed, outstayed his or her ability to do the job,” Hoyer told The Washington Post in his announcement.
Hoyer has served more than six decades in both state and federal politics, rising from a staffer for Sen. Daniel Brewster (D-Md.) where he worked in the early 1960s alongside now-Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), to his tenure as the state Senate president, to eventually winning a special election in 1981 to replace Rep. Gladys Noon Spellman (D-Md.), who tragically fell into a coma just before the 1980 election.
During his time in Congress, Hoyer was a staunch supporter of the agendas of former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden who secured tens of thousands of jobs and millions in federal investment for Southern Maryland.
He was a strong advocate for legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Affordable Care Act, as well as secured federal funding to expand the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries.
Hoyer was a prodigious fundraiser who served as a candidate recruiter for the Democratic Party, visiting dozens of states each election cycle.
“Hoyer visited 94 districts in 22 states this cycle, campaigning for at least 112 Democrats — 37 incumbents and 75 candidates, including everyone on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s red-to blue list — and raising or contributing nearly $9 million for the effort to retake the House,” according to his aides during the 2018 election.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) called Hoyer “a great benefactor, leader, and representative for the county.”
“I think he’s been a great member of Congress who has been there for 45 or so years. Probably the best majority leader we’ve had in decades. Most of the funding for the biggest projects that have happened in the county, he has had a big hand in. He has been front and center in pushing for the FBI HQ,” Ivey told The Informer. “The work he did in the ADA, a key piece of legislation, of relocating federal agencies and institutions to the county: the federal courthouse and expansions of Bowie State University and the University of Maryland- College Park.”
Celebrating Hoyer’s Leadership: ‘A Longtime Trailblazer’
Prior to the ascension of Hoyer and longtime State Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr., Prince George’s was governed by the Sasscer political machine, a segregationist, rural political operation largely dominated by the descendants of plantation owners with surnames like Claggett, Baggett, and Sasscer.
Hoyer and Miller gradually incorporated Black elected officials and voters into their coalition, beginning with the late Sen. Tommie Broadwater (D), the first African American senator elected outside of Baltimore City.
“He’s been one of the real trailblazers on that front in Prince George’s. When he was elected, we didn’t have any Black officials. We eventually had Broadwater in the Senate, and Steny was helpful to Tommie in his races. Tommie was prosecuted and sent to jail; Steny stayed in touch with him when others stepped away, and that speaks volumes,” Ivey said. “As we made the transition and our county became predominantly African American, Alex Williams became the state’s attorney. Wayne Curry was elected county executive in 1994 and Steny stayed strong on that front for the county, true the whole way through.”
Hoyer’s legacy also includes being an early endorser and supporter of barrier-breakers such as Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
“He has certainly been helpful to me in my career and he was visibly pivotal in Angela and Wes’ campaigns,” Ivey said. “The governor still jokes that Congressman Hoyer came on board when he was below 1% in the polls. He didn’t wait until it was a done deal: he helped Wes to launch.”
The governor celebrated Hoyer’s contributions throughout his life and the state, noting “Maryland is a better state” because of the longtime legislator’s “legacy of service.”
“When I was a paratrooper and officer in the United States Army, my unit received an American flag and a Maryland flag from Leader Hoyer. Those flags were a reminder that we were not forgotten. We were being thought about, that we were being prayed over,” Moore wrote in a statement on X. “Steny, your leadership meant the world to me then and as I stepped into public service myself. And it means the world to us now.”
Moore touted Hoyer’s political achievements.
“From securing critical federal investments and championing our federal workers to being a critical voice in fighting for health care and state investments, we’re forever indebted to you for your exemplary statesmanship and your legacy of delivering for Marylanders,” he said. “Congrats on your well-earned retirement.”
Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux said she is honored by the attention that Hoyer gave to the institution.
“Congressman Hoyer was the very first elected official to welcome me to the district when I became president of Bowie State University, and, from that moment forward, he offered not only his support but his steadfast partnership,” Breaux said. “Because of his leadership and advocacy, our university has been able to grow, thrive and more fully serve our students and community. I watched his retirement announcement and was struck by the sincerity, humility and grace with which he reflected on a long and distinguished career.
“At a time when our laws are being tested and our democratic values are under strain, his unwavering commitment to public service, principled leadership and the rule of law stands as a powerful example for this generation and the next,” she said.
Several Candidates File for 5th Congressional District, More Expected to Join Race
Several candidates have lined up, and even more are rumored, to run for the 5th Congressional District, which includes all of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties alongside rural portions of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.
The candidates include Quincy Barabee, Elldwnia English, Terry Antonio Jackson and Henry Jarin.
Alexis Solis, who has not yet filed but intends to run for the seat, praised Hoyer’s record in office and cited him as an inspiration.
“His leadership and mentorship have paved the way for the next generation of leaders,” Solis wrote on Facebook. “As we continue our campaign, we look forward to building on his legacy with the support of our community.”
Rumored candidates include Bowie Mayor Tim Adams, Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay, Del. Adrian Boafo (D-District 23), Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Del. Nicole Williams (D- District 22).
Boafo, who worked with Hoyer for years, lauded the legislator’s record in Congress. “Steny Hoyer has dedicated his life to delivering for Maryland families and made us all proud as he rose to be known among America’s most accomplished statesmen. As Leader Hoyer’s campaign manager, I saw up close his distinct warmth toward everyone he encountered, his dedication to fighting for what’s right, and inimitable ability to assess the toughest challenges and win for the people,” he said in a statement on Facebook.“Maryland and this country is better because of Steny Hoyer’s service. May God bless his well-earned retirement.”