Maryland voters will cast ballots Tuesday in primary elections, with Gov. Wes Moore seeking a second term in Annapolis and about two dozen candidates vying to replace Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, who is retiring after 45 years in Congress.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 and hold all statewide offices in Maryland, making the Democratic primary a decisive election. Republicans have declined to run candidates in almost half of the 47 state Senate races and 52 of the 141 state delegate seats.
Mr. Moore and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, square off against Eric Felber and LaTrece Hawkins Lytes for the Democratic nomination. Governors and lieutenant governors are required to run on the same ticket in Maryland.
Mr. Felber last sought office in 2024, when he lost to Rep. Jamie Raskin in the 8th Congressional District.
Mr. Moore has been linked to a presidential run in 2028, but he has publicly denied that he is looking at a potential move to the White House. Polls show Mr. Moore consistently getting 1%-2% support in national surveys about potential Democratic presidential contenders.
But the Democratic governor has sought to influence the open primary for Mr. Hoyer’s seat in the 5th Congressional District by endorsing state Del. Adrian Boafo of Prince George’s County.
Support from Mr. Stoyer and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has helped Mr. Boafo, 32, stand out in a field of 24 candidates looking to represent all of St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, and parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.
But Mr. Boafo lags behind in fundraising to healthcare business executive Quincy Bareebe and former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn. Mr. Dunn defended the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and previously placed second while running in the 3rd Congressional District primary in 2024.
Other notable entrants in the Democratic race include former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and current Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay.
Meanwhile, Rep. April McClain Delaney faces a Democratic primary challenge for her 6th Congressional District from former Rep. David Trone, who hopes to win back the seat after giving up the office for a failed U.S. Senate bid in 2024.
The 6th District includes Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties, as well as part of Montgomery County.
Mr. Trone, who founded and co-owns Total Wine & More, has shelled out large sums of personal fortune to compete in high-stakes political races. He spent more than $60 million on his failed Senate campaign two years ago when he lost to Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and has loaned his campaign $25 million to try and take back the seat he held from 2019-25.
This year’s congressional elections could be the last time Maryland has its current map, as the state weighs joining the redistricting battle erupting across the country.
While Mr.. Moore pushed for redistricting this year, state Senate President Bill Ferguson shut down the effort after expressing fear that legal challenges to the proposed map could result in Democrats losing a congressional seat.
Mr. Ferguson, Baltimore Democrat, changed his tune after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act last month. The Senate president faces a primary challenge Tuesday from social media personality Bobby LaPin.
In local elections in Prince George’s County, County Executive Aisha Braveboy aims to win a full term after winning last year’s special election triggered by Ms. Alsobrooks’ victory in the U.S. Senate race.
Ms. Braveboy previously served as the county’s State’s Attorney before taking over the top political office in Prince George’s County.
She faces Air Force veteran Billy Bridges, business owner Marcellus Crews, former county council staffer Charnell Ferguson, business executive Gregory Holmes and attorney Moisette Tonya Sweat.
Interim State’s Attorney Tara Jackson will look to be elected to a full term on Tuesday, taking over the office that was vacated by Ms. Braveboy’s election as county executive.
Ms. Jackson has won endorsements from Mr. Moore, state Attorney General Anthony Brown and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey.
She faces two challengers: Prince George’s County Council member Wanika Fisher, who has endorsements from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and state House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk, and Charles County Deputy State’s Attorney Karen Piper Mitchell.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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