Jan. 23 (UPI) — Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., on Friday endorsed his former campaign manager, Adrian Boafo, to succeed him after he announced his pending retirement.
Hoyer, 86, is the longest-serving House Democrat and represented Maryland’s 5th Congressional District since winning a special election in May 1981.
Boafo, 31, seeks the Democratic Party’s nomination to replace Hoyer after the Nov. 3 general election. Maryland’s primary is scheduled for June 23.
“I’ve had the opportunity to know him for some period of time,” Hoyer told The Washington Post.
“He really knows the district,” Hoyer said. “He knows the people. He’s served the people.”
Boafo thanked Hoyer for the endorsement in a social media post.
“Thank you, Congressman Hoyer, for your service to our nation and for your support in this race,” Boafo wrote in a post on X. “We will continue to build upon your work and deliver for the people of Maryland’s 5th.”
Boafo represents Prince George’s County in the Maryland House of Delegates and formerly was a member of the Bowie City Council.
He also was a lobbyist for software developer Oracle, which was co-founded by billionaire Larry Ellison.
Also seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the seat are former Hoyer challenger Quincy Bareebe, who founded Royal Assisted Living and Royal Home Care; Alexis Solis, CEO of Empress Consulting International; and Navy veteran Terry Jackson.
The winner of the Democratic Party’s nomination has the upper hand in winning the general election. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won the congressional district by 33 points during the 2024 general election for president.
