WASHINGTON ― Maryland state delegate Adrian Boafo is projected to win Tuesday’s Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), ushering in a new generation of leadership for a congressional district that Hoyer has represented since 1981.

Boafo led the polls in a field of 24 candidates eager to fill the seat being vacated by Hoyer, who at 87 announced he was retiring this year after a decades-long run in Congress and in his party’s leadership. Other contenders for this seat included former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and former Prince George’s County executive Rushern Baker.

Boafo, 32, previously served on the Bowie city council and was elected to the state House of Delegates in 2022. He is also a former federal lobbyist for the global tech company, Oracle.

Boafo benefited from having Hoyer’s endorsement in the race, which came in part because he was once the congressman’s campaign manager. He also benefitted from millions of dollars being poured into this race in support of his campaign from the cryptocurrency industry and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group that many Democrats have cut ties to amid the war in Gaza.

His support from those industries drew unusual criticism from a fellow Maryland Democrat, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who this month openly questioned what promises Boafo made to them in exchange for their money. Boafo called Van Hollen’s comments “extremely insulting.”

Because this House seat is considered solidly Democratic, Boafo is expected to go on to win the general election in November.

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