State Del. Adrian Boafo has won the Democratic nomination for Maryland’s 5th congressional district, setting him up to become the second Ghanaian American elected to federal office. He will likely succeed the retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, his former boss, this fall.
Boafo, a 32-year-old lawmaker and federal lobbyist, was endorsed by Hoyer and a host of federal and elected officials, while also receiving more than $11 million in campaign funding from the crypto and Israel lobbies.
The millennial legislator defeated a number of less prominent hopefuls, including former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, receiving some 32% of the final vote.
“To everyone in this room who believed in our vision from day one, with my love and gratitude, this victory is yours,” Boafo told supporters at an election watch party after declaring victory in the race.
“Tonight, the Democratic voters of the 5th congressional district decided that it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.”
Fired up. Ready to go. pic.twitter.com/VpjEw6W6bv
— Delegate Adrian Boafo (@AdrianBoafoMD) June 24, 2026
Elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2023 after a series of jobs on the Hill and a term on the Bowie City Council, Boafo has become known as a pro-worker figure, advocating for laws on wage theft, utility affordability, housing, and raising the minimum wage. Shortly after his election to the state legislature, he also served as assistant majority leader from 2024 to 2025.
Throughout his career in elected office, Boafo has enjoyed the support of Hoyer, 87, who has represented the fifth district since 1981. After announcing his impending retirement in January, Hoyer endorsed Boafo within just weeks, anointing his preferred successor with the added support of several lobbying groups known for funding Hoyer’s own campaigns.
Controversially, these have included the American Israel Public Affairs Committee—a Zionist group that poured nearly $6 million into Boafo’s campaign—and the crypto-aligned super PAC Protect Progress, which spent $5.5 million.
While Boafo’s competitors decried the contributions as “dark money,” they were ultimately unable to gain traction with voters in an area known as a stronghold of the Democratic establishment.
On foreign policy, Boafo was also critiqued for his positions on the raging conflicts in the Middle East, including his belief that Israel should continue to receive funding from the U.S. federal government. He has also criticized Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Asked recently by a voter whether he believes Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide, Boafo demurred—saying he doesn’t “have the intelligence” to make a determination.
On his role as a pro-AI federal lobbyist for the Oracle Corporation—including efforts spearheaded by President Donald Trump—Boafo told reporters he focuses on tech literacy. This, despite federal disclosures suggesting he has also lobbied for the construction of data centers.
After winning his primary on Tuesday, Boafo spoke of his nascent federal platform as part of an “achievable progressive vision” intended to oppose Trump.
“Republicans are doing everything they can to turn back the clock,” Boafo said.
“Affordability, access, and accountability. These must be our watchwords and they will be my guideposts in Congress.”
Pending an expected win in November, Boafo will continue the trend of Congress’ few Black Catholics being Latinos and second-generation immigrants. He would join Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo of Rhode Island as a Ghanaian-American Catholic in the House of Representatives.
Congress’ only other Black Catholic, longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York, was defeated in his primary on Tuesday.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
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