Election 2026: MD05 Congressional Candidates
Thirty candidates are running to replace Congressman Steny Hoyer, who has represented Maryland 5th Congressional District for over 45 years, after he announced he would not seek reelection earlier this year. The vast majority of candidates–twenty four–are running in the Democratic primary. Rounding out the list are three Republican and three Unaffiliated candidates.
Informed St. Mary’s reached out directly to each candidate via the email address provided on the candidate listing published by the Maryland State Board of Elections to request a statement for publication using the following prompt:
“Please submit a statement of approximately 300-500 words addressing the issues you believe are most important to voters in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, your qualifications for office, and what you hope to accomplish if elected.”
The deadline for submission was Friday, April 3.
Each candidate is listed below with their Name / Party Affiliation / Location, a photo, and a link to their website as published by the Maryland State Board of Elections. If the candidate responded to the statement request, a brief portion has been included. The full, unedited statement, can be accessed by clicking “Full Statement.” If the candidate did not respond to the statement request, that will be noted. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, regardless of party affiliation.
Mark Arness / Democratic / Calvert County
Website: https://arnessforcongress.com/
Full Statement
“Vote no to poll taxes, voter ID and racial profiling, no more tariffs and taxes, and no Iran invasion. Vote to defund ICE, uphold and restore our Bill of Rights. Vote yes to fund Medicare/Medicaid and education, drug use reduction and essential services.”
Rushern L. Baker, III / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.rushernbaker.com
No Statement Provided
Quincy Bareebe / Democratic / Anne Arundel County
Website: www.quincyforcongress.com
Full Statement
“Healthcare is my number one priority. In Congress, I will fight to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing, and give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices. I will also fight hard on affordability and economic security. I am committed to protecting our federal workers and our military installations…with critical facilities like Pax River and Indian Head at stake, we need a representative who will stand up against harmful budget cuts…And I will invest in our children’s future — from universal pre-K and fully funded Title I schools to debt-free community college and career training linked to local jobs.”
Wala Blegay / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.walablegay.com
Full Statement
“As your next Member of Congress, I will work to protect Pax River from BRAC threats; expand research, aviation technology, and innovation; strengthen partnerships among the base, local businesses, and our schools; expand employment for residents including veterans and young people. I will prioritize fighting inflation and lowering energy costs; protecting federal jobs and contractors; workforce development, defense and technology apprenticeships; affordable childcare, healthcare, and housing. I will fight to strengthen federal procurement programs, protect pathways for small businesses, and ensure that innovation coming out of Pax River benefits local companies.”
Adrian Boafo / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.adrianboafo.com
Full Statement
“As a Maryland State Delegate… I wrote the ICE Breaker Act to ban officers who joined ICE during Trump’s assault on our communities from ever serving in our state police force. I co-sponsored the Break STRIDE Act to close the loopholes that let utility companies overcharge Maryland families. And I co-sponsored the Maryland Protect Our Federal Workers Act to provide no-interest loans to federal employees and their families devastated by Trump’s mass layoffs and firings…My pledge to you is simple: I will make Maryland a place where families can afford to live with dignity, where seniors can count on their Social Security and Medicare and where newcomers—like my family once was—are welcome, not feared.”
Chris Chaffee / Republican / Calvert County
Website: http://www.chaffeeamericafirst.com/
No Statement Provided
Reuben B. Collins, II / Democratic / Charles County
No Website on MD Elections List
No Statement Provided
Ellis D. Colvin / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: linkedin.com/in/DR-ELLIS-D-COLVIN-472619256
No Statement Provided
Harry Anthony Dunn / Democratic / Montgomery County
Website: harrydunnformd.com
Full Statement
“I have dedicated my life to protecting others — from defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6, to holding Donald Trump accountable for his attacks on our rights and our democracy. On [January 6, 2021], I saw exactly how the chaos and division we see in our government is tearing our country apart. Afterward, I had to call out the lies and immorality in the MAGA extremist camp. That’s why I’m running for Congress. We need leaders who are willing to come together, put in the work, and solve the issues that Marylanders care about — lowering costs, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and keeping our communities safe.”
Arthur Ellis / Democratic / Charles County
Website: www.arthurellisforcongress.com
Full Statement
“My record reflects a commitment to progressive legislative reform and challenging established power structures to advocate for marginalized communities. My tenure in the Maryland Senate has focused on expanding equity through healthcare, education, and transportation. Within Congress, I aim to leverage my experience as Deputy Minority Leader to navigate federal policy, focusing on healthcare access, environmental protection, and economic opportunity for working-class families. I will work hard to build more electric generating plants in Maryland to lower the cost of electricity. I will stand up to the policies hurting Maryland families that emanates from President Trump.”
Elldwnia English / Democratic / St. Mary’s County
Website: www.elldwniaforcongress.org
Full Statement
“The issues that matter most to voters in CD5 are not abstract policy debates. They are kitchen-table realities. I will fight for policies that lower the cost of living, expand access to affordable housing, and ensure working families can build wealth. I will champion small business access to capital, workforce development pipelines, and youth programming that gives the next generation a real shot. I will be a tireless advocate for every veteran, their family, and caregivers. I support transparent, secure, and accessible elections that every eligible voter can participate in and every citizen can verify.”
Terry Antonio Jackson, 2nd / Democratic / Prince George’s County
No Website on MD Elections list
No Statement Provided
Harry Jarin / Democratic / Anne Arundel County
Website: www.harrymd5.com
Full Statement
“I’m a small business owner and a volunteer firefighter, and I see firsthand what working people deal with: rising costs, long commutes, crumbling infrastructure, and stretched public services that just don’t work anymore…In Congress, I’ll prioritize a more fair tax code that reduces the burden on middle class families; expanding healthcare coverage so everyone can see a doctor on a regular basis without worrying about the bill; transit-oriented development policies to increase affordable housing supply while reducing gridlock; investing in infrastructure upgrades like the long-overdue Thomas Johnson bridge, and holding the Trump administration accountable for their many crimes.”
Brian S. Jordan / Unaffiliated / St. Mary’s County
Website: www.brianjordanforcongress.com
No Statement Provided
Walter Kirkland / Democratic / Anne Arundel County
Website: www.WalterKirklandForCongress.com
No Statement Provided
Jerry Lightfoot / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.Jerryforuscongress.com
Full Statement
“The issues that ring the alarm for Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District is the economy…Specifically we must lower groceries, gas, and utilities. We should be ensuring that this country is doing all it can to foster an environment where all citizens can prosper. Education is also an important issue. Parents should have full access and afforded all benefits of selecting any form of education they feel would be most beneficial for their children. Whether that’s public, private, charter, magnet, or home school shouldn’t be an issue…This area has lost so many jobs…due to the huge downsizing of the federal government. We must bring these jobs back.”
Heather Luper / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.HeatherLuper.com
Full Statement
“If elected, I will fight to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare; strengthen our economy with good jobs and fair wages; protect the Chesapeake Bay; champion the federal workforce and unions that keep our government running, and advocate for Veteran and military families to get the services and benefits they have earned. I will work to ensure every community—urban, suburban, and rural—has the resources it needs to thrive. And I will fight for the dignity and fair treatment of all people- including the most vulnerable among us…I believe deeply in this district and in the power of government to improve people’s lives when it is rooted in service.”
James Anderson Makle, Jr. / Democratic / Carroll County
Website: facebook.com/jamesa.makle
Full Statement
“Addressing affordably and the cost of living in the 5th Congressional District will be one of my top priorities [through] age exemptions for property taxes at the age of 75; building more affordable single-family homes, reduce and eliminate Homeowner Associations, increase State and Federal first-time home buyer fund; no more data centers; reduce vehicle registration costs for all Marylanders; build new adequate schools, bring back Scared Straight to High Schools…Taking care of our Special Needs community will be a top priority for me [including] implementation of continuous federal funding for childcare, educational programs, learning equipment, IEP awareness, medication research and development.”
Leigha Messick / Democratic / Charles County
Website: facebook.com/LeighaForCongress
No Statement Provided
Keith Salkowski / Democratic / Montgomery County
No Website Listed
No Statement Provided
Alexis S. Solis / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.VoteAlexisSolis.com
Full Statement
“In Congress, I will work to strengthen mental health services, expand access to care, and ensure families have the support systems necessary to thrive. I will work to support small businesses, strengthen workforce development programs, and ensure federal investments create real opportunities for our local communities…By pursuing innovative federal partnerships and smart infrastructure investments, we can reduce congestion and improve mobility without placing additional tax burdens on working families. If elected, I will bring a results-driven and community-focused approach to Congress. I believe leadership should be accessible , accountable, and focused on solutions.”
Tracy Starr / Democratic / Anne Arundel County
Website: http://www.friendsoftracy.com/
Full Statement
“If elected, I will work to protect and strengthen the federal workforce by advancing legislation that prevents unnecessary layoffs and ensures a stable, effective civil service. I will prioritize policies that lower costs for families — targeting housing affordability, childcare access, and healthcare, including moving toward more universal coverage. I will champion smart infrastructure investments — modernizing transportation networks, expanding reliable broadband, and upgrading critical systems to support both economic growth and resilience. I will push for transparent, accountable governance by working closely with state and local leaders to ensure that development decisions reflect the needs and voices of our communities.”
Dave Sundberg / Democratic / Anne Arundel County
Website: www.davesundberg.com
No Statement Provided
Michelle Talkington / Republican / Charles County
Website: www.talkington4congress.com
No Statement Provided
Nicole A. Williams / Democratic / Prince George’s County
Website: www.nicoleawilliams.com
Full Statement
“Fundamentally, I view my role as your next Congresswoman as your partner in the work and a fighter for your shared values. It is no secret that Southern Maryland needs investments and greater focus from our Congressional members. Transit and transportation are still difficult in the region — for example, some of our bridges are in desperate need of repair. In Congress, I will fight to ensure St. Mary’s wins its fair share of federal investments. Additionally, the county has seen a positive explosion in new and innovative agriculture. As your Congresswoman, I will do everything possible to keep this growth growing while preserving critical programs, like USDA housing loans, that make living in this beautiful place possible.”
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Note: Mildred Marie Hall, Jonathan Burruss, Bryan DuVal, Harold Tolbert, Kenneth Simons, and Keith Salkowski are not included above due to a lack of publicly available information.
