The Democratic primary to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has more than 20 candidates filed, with many recognizable names vying for the District 5 congressional seat.
Current candidates include: Jan. 6 hero Harry Dunn, Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-District 28), Del. Nicole Williams (D-District 22), Charles County Commissioner Reuben Collins II (D), and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, all seeking to represent the Southern Maryland-based district.
Hoyer came out early to endorse Del. Adrian Boafo (D-District 23), his former campaign manager.
“I’m not endorsing against anybody, I’m endorsing for somebody that I think would do a good job,” Hoyer said in a January interview with The Washington Post announcing his endorsement of Boafo. “He really knows the district. He knows the people. He’s served the people.”
Candidates Share Congressional Goals
Dunn reported raising over $550,000 on his first day as a candidate. He previously ran in the 3rd congressional district during the 2024 cycle and garnered endorsements from Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-NY) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS).
“I see the same aggression in ICE agents that I saw from Jan. 6 insurrectionists,” Dunn said in his announcement video, released Feb. 4. “So tell Donald Trump I’m coming back to the Capitol, this time with a vote, with oversight authority, with subpoena power, with the full constitutional authority granted to a member of the United States Congress.”
Collins, who filed on Feb. 12, was voted to lead the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments earlier this year, the first Charles County leader ever to serve in that role. Further, Collins is the first African American to serve as president of the Charles County Commission and was re-elected in 2022.
“Our region is resilient. We’ve come together on issues that go beyond boundaries, and I’m excited to build on that collaborative momentum to create lasting change,” he said following the vote. “COG provides a place for government officials from every area jurisdiction to provide their unique perspective and work on solutions.”
Williams is the chair of the Prince George’s County House delegation and serves as a deputy majority whip. She is a sponsor of legislation to end the 287(g) agreements that allow local law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which passed earlier this session.
“I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and lived in Maryland for over 20 years. I was raised by my mother and my grandparents – strong people who taught me resilience, responsibility, and the importance of standing up for others,” she said in an announcement on Feb. 23. “This region didn’t just become my workplace. It became my extended home – and my purpose.”
She has been endorsed by Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, former chair of the economic matters committee and longtime delegate.
“I’ve known Nicole for more than 20 years and I’ve seen her commitment to creating economic opportunities for Maryland families,” Davis said in his endorsement statement. “She understands the reality facing too many families from unaffordable groceries to housing costs and federal job losses. I know she will be the happy warrior that we need in Congress. I look forward to her representing us.”
Ellis filed for the seat after publicly stating his demand to vote on the proposed congressional redistricting.
“Redistricting will not fail in Maryland if it hits the Senate floor,” Ellis said in an interview with “Roland Martin Unfiltered.” “Democratic legislators here are elected by Democratic voters. The people who put us here are the boss.”
Baker served as the Prince George’s County Executive from 2011 to 2018 before losing in the 2018 gubernatorial election to Ben Jealous, the Democratic nominee who lost to former Gov. Larry Hogan. After serving as county executive, Baker ran for governor again in 2022 and then dropped out before the primary election. He also ran for county executive during the 2025 special election to replace now Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D), who stepped down to join the U.S. Senate.
“Bringing those years of experience to the challenges we face today is the reason I decided to run for this position,” Baker told WUSA9 shortly after filing for the seat. “So I think that’s what it is, it’s about immediately having an impact on people’s lives.”
Marylanders Talk Hopes for Next District 5 Representative
Del. Tiffany Alston (D-District 24), who is vying for state Senate, is looking forward to strong congressional representation to partner with in Annapolis.
“As a resident of Congressional District 5, I will be proud to cast my vote for a candidate who is willing to stand up and fight against a tyrannical government and be a strong advocate for the people,” she continued.
LaTrece Hawkins Lytes, who is running for lieutenant governor alongside Eric Felber, would like to see Hoyer’s care for everyday Marylanders continue in the next representative.
“The next congressional member for 5th District has, as my senior community may say, ‘some big shoes to fill.’ With Congressman Steny Hoyer stepping down, he’s leaving a lot of ground to be covered, such as federal facilities, five counties, colleges, and more,” Lytes told The Informer. “My running mate and I would like to see the next congressional representative chosen to care as much as Mr. Hoyer did. Always there to listen and ready to make a change when and where it’s needed. My running mate and I are looking forward to working with whomever that may be.”
Carlos Childs, an activist from Charles County, said she wants to see Hoyer succeeded by a candidate who supports a progressive policy agenda.
“The next Congress person for District 5 needs to serve their constituents not special interest, have a Black agenda, be anti-genocide, fight for Medicare For All and support free public college and universities,” he told The Informer. “For too long District 5 has had a Congress person who put Israel, police, health insurance companies and corporations above the working class. We cannot afford to have a repeat!”
Pastors Kofi and Lachele Bryant Sr. of Inspired Life Ministries called Hoyer “a champion on many critical issues” and cite rising household costs and health care inaccessibility as core issues in this election.
“As we now prepare to elect his successor, we are looking for more than just a representative: we need a fighter. We need a congressional candidate who will not forget us once they reach Capitol Hill. In this deeply polarized political climate, far too many of our neighbors feel invisible, overlooked and left behind,” the couple told The Informer in a joint statement.
They said they are looking for a politician and champion to serve as the next District 5 congressperson.
“The next representative from our district,” the Bryants continued, “must be someone who will stand in the gap and fight to ensure that no family in the 5th District has to stand in a grocery store and make the heartbreaking choice between basic necessities they once could afford without a second thought.”
View the complete list of candidates for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District here.