Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo emerged victorious in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, positioning himself to succeed the retiring Representative Steny Hoyer in the 5th District. Boafo’s campaign was significantly bolstered by $11 million in contributions from groups supporting cryptocurrency and Israeli interests.
Boafo, who previously served as Hoyer’s campaign manager, was his preferred candidate to take over the seat. The primary was characterized by internal party conflicts regarding the substantial external financial influence and potential final confrontation between Hoyer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had backed a competitor.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), invested $5.7 million to advocate for Boafo, making it the largest spender on advertising. Meanwhile, Protect Progress, a super PAC associated with the cryptocurrency sector, contributed $5.5 million to support Boafo, who was once a federal lobbyist for the tech firm Oracle.
The influx of funds in the crowded field of 24 candidates provoked criticism from several of Boafo’s opponents. Three candidates — Harry Dunn, Rushern Baker, and Quincy Bareebe — jointly criticized these interest groups for attempting to sway the primary’s outcome. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a potential 2028 presidential candidate who remained neutral in the race, also condemned the groups for allegedly trying to purchase the seat.
Boafo’s victory marks a significant achievement for the influential pro-Israel lobby, which has faced intense scrutiny from some Democrats for its assertive strategies in the primaries this year. It also represents a triumph for Hoyer in securing his chosen successor for the seat.
Hoyer, a long-standing ally of AIPAC, has been supported by Boafo, who advocates for strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, despite his criticisms of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to the criticisms regarding the spending by AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests, Boafo declared that “big money has no place in politics.” Hoyer defended Boafo in an advertisement by United Democracy Project, describing him as having the “courage to stand up to any special interests.”
The contentious primary highlighted divisions among the state’s leading Democrats and set the stage for what might be the last significant contest between two of the party’s prominent figures — Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi. Hoyer had been an early backer of Boafo, while Pelosi, Baltimore’s native daughter, endorsed Dunn, with whom she had developed a close relationship following the January 6 riot.
Boafo has garnered support from several high-profile Democrats, including Governor Wes Moore, another potential 2028 presidential contender, as well as Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Representative Sarah Elfreth. He is highly favored to win the seat in this predominantly Democratic district come November.
