Maryland 5th District
Steny Hoyer (D) is not running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Adrian Boafo
Democrat · Maryland state delegate, Democratic nominee
FLiberty Score F51 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Boafo has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Boafo.
Raised $1,906,194 since January 2025: 87% from people, 13% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Chris Chaffee
Republican · contractor and farmer, perennial Republican candidate
CLiberty Score C76 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Chaffee has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Chaffee.
Higher on Liberty Score: Chris Chaffee. Chris Chaffee: C, 76 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Adrian Boafo: F, 51 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Maryland: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Adrian Boafo, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Boafo, so the grade above comes from this list: what Boafo has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Says he would strengthen the alliance with Israel and make sure it has the security assistance it needs.
“Strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance and ensure Israel has the security assistance it needs to defend itself against Hamas and other terrorist threats.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally and backing its weapons and defence is on the with side.
-
Says he would strengthen NATO and support Ukraine's defence against Russia.
“Stand firmly with America's democratic allies by strengthening NATO, supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, and confronting authoritarian threats from Russia, China, and Iran.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine and NATO is with liberty on free nations.
-
Says he would pass Medicare for All with a public option.
“Pass Medicare for All with a public option, so that if you like your private health insurance you can keep it.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
-
Says he would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
“Follow Maryland's lead by raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour and tie it to inflation”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A government-set wage floor is on the against side of the less-regulation rule of the free markets test.
-
Describes his state legislation as pushing back on federal limits on DEI programmes.
“pushing back on the Trump administration's attacks on DEI and civil rights enforcement”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Defending DEI programmes is against liberty on equal rights.
-
Lists abolishing ICE as the first item of his immigration agenda.
“Abolish ICE and pass comprehensive immigration reform to create a fair, transparent, and accountable immigration system”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
-
Says he would secure the border with detection technology and stronger ports of entry.
“Secure the border by deploying advanced detection technology, strengthening anti-trafficking operations, and modernizing ports of entry to stop fentanyl and human smuggling”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is on the with side of the measure.
Chris Chaffee, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Chaffee, so the grade above comes from this list: what Chaffee has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked in a questionnaire whether he supports the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic, he said he does not and called it bad for national security.
“I do not support this and it is a bad deal for national security.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a deal on the model of the 2015 agreement is on the with side of the Iran regime measure.
-
Answered no when asked if he supports additional assistance for Ukraine's military, and called for peace talks.
“We must push for peace talks and diplomacy”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing more military aid to Ukraine is against liberty on free nations.
-
Asked whether the United States should speak out on civilian casualties in Gaza, he answered about the hostages and did not address Israel's weapons or conduct.
“We must free all hostages and return them to their families.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words name no policy on Israel's defence, weapons or conduct, so they do not settle the measure.
-
Said he supports the federal tax cuts passed in 2017.
“I support the federal tax cuts passed in 2017.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
-
Said the Affordable Care Act should be scrapped, calling it a government-run programme.
“The Affordable Care Act should be scrapped.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government-run health care is with liberty on free markets.
-
Said federal money to sanctuary cities should stop because they break the law.
“Stop all money to sanctuary cities as they are breaking our laws.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending funding for sanctuary cities and enforcing the law is with liberty on borders.
-
Said Congress should enforce existing immigration laws.
“Congress should enforce the laws on the books.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing the law on illegal immigration is on the with side of the measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Maryland 5th District
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