Maryland Democrats settle two competitive House primaries on Tuesday
Article excerpt
Two Maryland congressional districts resolved their Democratic primaries Tuesday, with results that carry real consequence for both party veterans and newcomers. In the 6th District, freshman Rep. April McClain Delaney beat back a comeback attempt by former Rep. David Trone, a wealthy congressman who had vacated the seat to run an unsuccessful Senate campaign in 2024. Trone's loss closes the door, at least for now, on his return to Congress. Meanwhile, in the district long held by Democratic institution Steny Hoyer, Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo won the Democratic primary, positioning himself as the likely successor to one of the most powerful figures in House history. Hoyer, who served for more than four decades and rose to House Majority Leader, is retiring. Boafo had worked for Hoyer before entering state politics, making his primary win something of a passing-of-the-torch moment. Both winners now advance to November general elections in reliably Democratic districts, where the primaries are effectively the main event.
Rep. April McClain Delaney won her bitter and expensive Democratic primary for Maryland’s 6th District on Tuesday, denying her predecessor, former Rep. David Trone, from making a comeback.
The race drew $23 million in TV spending, with much of that coming from the candidates directly, and became a microcosm of the Democratic Party’s clashes over President Donald Trump, money in politics and immigration.
McClain Delaney, who is serving her first term in Congress, had the backing of the rest of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation, along with Gov. Wes Moore.
Trone announced he would challenge McClain Delaney in December, citing in part her vote for the Laken Riley Act, a Republican-led immigration bill. McClain Delaney later said she regretted the vote, saying she hadn’t imagined “the horror” of Trump’s immigration enforcement would come to pass.
Trone almost entirely self-funded his attempt to return to Congress. He previously represented the 6th District for three terms but gave up his seat to run for Senate in 2024, losing in the primary to now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). McClain Delaney, who is married to former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), won an open primary and was elected to the seat that year.
The seat is considered safe for Democrats for the midterms. McClain Delaney won by a bit more than 6 points in 2024.