Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Mark Arness — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Mark Arness is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. He is a physician who has operated a private practice for residents of Calvert and St. Mary's counties. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Arness also earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He is a decorated combat veteran who specialized in aviation medicine during his military career. For his service, Arness was awarded the USAF Air Medal for gallantry in 2008. A resident of the Southern Maryland region for several decades, he has long-standing ties to the community. Arness previously ran for the same congressional seat as a Republican.

• Rushern L. Baker, III — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Rushern L. Baker III is a Democratic politician with a history of public service in Maryland. Born in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 24, 1958, he earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University. His career in elected office began in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he represented District 22B from 1994 to 2003. Afterwards, he was elected as the Prince George's County Executive, serving two terms from 2010 to 2018. Baker has also been a delegate to several Democratic National Conventions. He has previously mounted unsuccessful campaigns for Governor of Maryland and is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District.

• Quincy Bareebe — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Quincy Bareebe is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A resident of Odenton, Maryland, she is a wife and mother of four children. Professionally, Bareebe is the founder and CEO of a home care business that provides services for seniors and children with chronic diseases. Her prior experience includes working as an auditor for KPMG and managing budgets at the Department of Defense. She attended Northeastern University, paying for her education by working as a home health aide and a dishwasher. Her campaign platform prioritizes protections for working families and seniors, focusing on affordable healthcare, education, and environmental preservation.

• Wala Blegay — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Wala Blegay is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A resident of Prince George's County for over two decades, she currently serves as an at-large member of the Prince George's County Council. Blegay is an attorney whose career has focused on civil rights, women's rights, and workers' rights. Her path to public service began as a caseworker in the office of Congressman Steny Hoyer, the representative she is running to succeed. Her professional experience also includes serving as a staff attorney for the DC Nurses Association and as an adjunct professor at the American University Washington College of Law. On the county council, her legislative work has focused on healthcare and civil rights.

• Adrian Boafo — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Adrian Boafo is a Democratic politician representing District 23 in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was born in Arlington, Virginia, on May 10, 1994, to parents who immigrated to the United States from Ghana. Boafo holds a bachelor's degree in government and public policy from the University of Baltimore and an MBA from American University. His political career began in the city of Bowie, where he served as a councilmember and mayor pro tempore from 2019 until 2022. He assumed office in the Maryland House of Delegates in January 2023. Currently, Boafo is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District, running to succeed the retiring incumbent, Steny Hoyer, who has endorsed his campaign.

• Reuben B. Collins, II — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Reuben B. Collins, II, is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A lifelong resident of Charles County, he is a graduate of Fisk University and the District of Columbia School of Law. For over two decades, Collins practiced law, focusing on corporate and small business transactions. His public service career spans more than 30 years and includes multiple terms as a Charles County Commissioner. In 2018, Collins became the first African American elected President of the Charles County Board of Commissioners and was re-elected to the position in 2022. He and his wife, Debborah, are the parents of three children.

• Ellis D. Colvin — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Ellis D. Colvin is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A U.S. Army veteran, Colvin brings over four decades of professional experience from the U.S. Intelligence Community, where he specialized in national security and defense. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. from Capitol Technology University and a Juris Doctorate from the Charleston School of Law. His campaign, titled "America@Work," is centered on addressing the nation's cost of living crisis, ensuring equal access to public healthcare, and strengthening the U.S. economy. Colvin also supports the implementation of term limits for members of Congress.

• Harry Anthony Dunn — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Harry Anthony Dunn, born on September 25, 1983, is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A graduate of James Madison University, Dunn is a former United States Capitol Police officer who served from 2008 until 2023. During his law enforcement career, he was on duty at the U.S. Capitol during the attack on January 6, 2021. He later testified before the House Select Committee investigating the event. For his service, Dunn received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal. Prior to his current campaign, he was a candidate for Congress in Maryland's 3rd congressional district in 2024.

• Arthur Ellis — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Arthur Ellis is a Democratic politician who has served in the Maryland State Senate since January 2019. He is currently a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District. Ellis is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a certified public accountant. His professional background is complemented by his academic achievements, which include a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science from the City University of New York. During his tenure in the state senate, Ellis has sponsored legislation focused on a range of key areas, including healthcare, transportation infrastructure, and veterans' affairs.

• Elldwnia English — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Elldwnia English is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A mother, grandmother, and business owner, her professional background includes experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. English describes herself as a "Builder" rather than a career politician. Her platform prioritizes strengthening the economy, lowering healthcare costs, and supporting working families. A core component of her campaign is a pledge not to accept any contributions from corporations, PACs, lobbyists, or private donors, stemming from her belief that public office should not be a debt owed to financial backers. She identifies as a Democratic Socialist, advocating for the use of democratic institutions to expand opportunity.

• Terry Antonio Jackson, 2nd — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Terry Antonio Jackson, 2nd is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District. He is a retired U.S. Naval Officer and a former federal civil servant, with a career spanning over two decades in combined military and federal service. Jackson is a decorated and disabled Navy veteran. His campaign platform focuses on restoring accountability and trust in government. Key policy priorities include lowering costs for working families and protecting earned benefits for veterans and seniors. Jackson is running on the message, "For the People, Not the Powerful." He is a husband and a father to four daughters.

• Harry Jarin — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Harry Jarin is a candidate seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A small business owner and volunteer firefighter, Jarin has entered a competitive primary field. His campaign is distinguished by its emphasis on bringing a new generation of leadership to Congress, a point he has raised in relation to the district's current representative. Jarin's platform is centered on addressing critical issues impacting residents, with specific proposals focused on expanding healthcare access, tackling the challenges of housing affordability, and investing in the region's transportation systems. This marks his first time running for elected office.

• Walter Kirkland — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Walter Kirkland is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A small business owner and community leader, he brings over 30 years of experience in economic development and youth advocacy. Raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Kirkland is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he was a four-year All-American track and field athlete. He also serves as the founding president of the 100 Black Men of Prince George's County, a prominent mentorship organization. Kirkland's platform is focused on creating safer communities, improving local schools, and expanding both economic and healthcare opportunities throughout the district.

• Jerry Lightfoot — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Jerry Lightfoot is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District. He is a United States Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer in Afghanistan. His professional career includes serving as a Drug Program Specialist for the Department of the Interior since 2019. Prior to that, he was the Army Substance Abuse Program Prevention Coordinator for the U.S. Army at Fort Meade from 2015 to 2019. Lightfoot holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Strayer University. He is also the founder of The Laura Lightfoot Foundation, Inc., and has volunteered with the New Leaders Council and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

• Heather Luper — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Heather Luper is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) with a Master of Social Work, her career began in Baltimore, Maryland, supporting medically-fragile infants and toddlers in specialized foster care. She later joined the Baltimore County Department of Social Services, assisting children, teenagers, and families in crisis. Luper subsequently worked for 23 years at the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA). In her capacity as a VA Central Office social worker, she facilitated public-private partnerships to benefit the veteran community and co-led the Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network.

• James Anderson Makle, Jr. — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  James Anderson Makle Jr. is a Democratic candidate seeking to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2026 election. His active candidacy was confirmed on February 23, 2026, upon his official filing with the Maryland State Board of Elections. He will compete in the Democratic primary election, which is scheduled to take place on June 23, 2026. In this primary race, Makle is one of several candidates from the Democratic party vying for the nomination. Official records list his campaign's jurisdiction as Carroll County and its address as a post office box in Laurel, Maryland. His campaign is on Facebook and TikTok as 'southernmarylandstrong'.

• Leigha Messick — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Leigha Messick is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A native of Southern Prince George's and Charles County, she was raised in Suitland and Waldorf. Her professional experience includes roles as a nonprofit executive, community organizer, and business owner. Messick's campaign platform is defined by an anti-establishment and anti-MAGA position. Specific policy stances include support for congressional term limits and the abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. She is contending for the open district seat, with the Democratic primary scheduled for June 23, 2026.

• Keith Salkowski — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Keith Salkowski is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District. He is running in the Democratic primary election scheduled to take place on June 23, 2026. At present, publicly available information regarding Salkowski's professional background, prior career experience, and specific political platform is limited. The campaign's registered mailing address is located in Olney, Maryland. Previously, an individual from Towson with the same name, identified as a filmmaker, ran for a Maryland congressional seat as a Green Party candidate in the 2004 general election, though it is not confirmed if this is the same person.

• Kenneth Simons — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Kenneth Simons is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A native of Prince George's County, Simons has built a career in public service and policy. He currently serves as a Government Affairs Manager at WSSC Water, where he directs the organization's state legislative strategy. His prior professional experience includes roles in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of federal legislative processes. Simons earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law.

• Alexis S. Solis — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Alexis S. Solis is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A resident of the district for more than 30 years, she is the CEO of Empress Consulting International, a firm providing strategic solutions to government and private sectors. Her professional background includes serving as a technology executive specializing in federal contracting, where she managed a portfolio exceeding $12 billion. Solis is a graduate of Bowie State University. Her public service includes appointments to a County Executive's technology transition team and the Special Education Advisory Committee. She has also served on several boards, including the BREM Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer and the Latino Advisory Board for the Prince George's County Executive.

• Tracy Starr — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Tracy Starr is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A native of rural Pennsylvania, she was raised by a single mother who worked as a nurse. Starr attended American University, where she studied public affairs and completed an internship on Capitol Hill. She later pursued a career in public service, securing a position at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Starr lost her job when the agency was downsized, an event that motivated her to run for Congress. She aims to advocate for federal workers and families facing economic insecurity.

• Dave Sundberg — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Dave Sundberg is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. His public service career began in the United States Air Force before he transitioned to local law enforcement, serving as a detective with the Dover Police Department. Sundberg then had a distinguished 23-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his tenure, he became the Commander of the elite Hostage Rescue Team and later advanced to lead the FBI's Washington Field Office. In this high-profile role, he was responsible for overseeing the investigation into the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. He resides in North Beach, Maryland, with his wife and has two adult children.

• Harold Tolbert — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Harold Tolbert is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District. With a background as a pastor, dedicated educator, and professional civil servant, Tolbert has a long history of community leadership. For more than 30 years, he has served as the CEO of World View Early Learning Center, working to improve and expand educational opportunities for families living within the district he seeks to represent. A resident of District 5, Tolbert and his wife of over 39 years have raised four adult children in the community. He is committed to bringing principled leadership and community-focused solutions to Congress.

• Nicole A. Williams — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Nicole A. Williams is an American attorney and Democratic politician serving in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 22. She was first appointed to the seat in November 2019. In her legislative capacity, Williams has been a member of the Judiciary Committee since 2020, where she engages with legal and judicial matters for the state. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in 1999 and a Juris Doctor degree in 2002, both earned from the University of Pittsburgh. Before her time as a delegate, Williams held a leadership position as the 3rd vice chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. In February 2024, she declared her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Maryland's 4th Congressional District, with a platform focused on preserving democracy and addressing affordability.

• Chris Chaffee — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Chris Chaffee is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District. Professionally, he works as a homebuilding contractor. Chaffee has prior experience in statewide politics, having previously been the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. His educational background includes attendance at the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as Prince George's Community College. In addition to his professional and political endeavors, Chaffee has been an active community volunteer, dedicating his time to coaching youth soccer and basketball and contributing to activities within his church.

• Bryan DuVal — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Bryan DuVal is a Republican candidate seeking to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. His current campaign marks his third consecutive attempt to secure the party's nomination for this specific congressional seat. He previously competed in the Republican primary elections for the same district during both the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. In each of those prior campaigns, DuVal sought the opportunity to advance to the general election as the Republican nominee representing the district. According to publicly available information, detailed records concerning his professional background and his specific stances on key policy issues are limited.

• Michelle Talkington — Republican Central Committee in Charles, Maryland

  Michelle Talkington is the Republican candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A resident of Charles County for two decades, she is a small business owner in the construction sector. Talkington graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor's degree. Her community leadership experience includes serving as a local homeowners association president and as a director for area theaters. Before her current campaign, she ran for the Maryland State Senate in 2022. In May 2024, she advanced from the Republican primary to become the nominee for the U.S. House seat. Her platform centers on key policy issues such as lowering taxes, reducing government spending, and addressing crime.

• Jonathan Burruss — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Jonathan Burruss is an unaffiliated candidate campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is seeking to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District. As a resident of Charles County, Burruss is running to provide a local voice for the district's constituents in national-level governance. His name is slated to appear on the general election ballot for the election scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026. By running as an unaffiliated candidate, he offers voters an option independent of major party platforms. As of now, comprehensive public information detailing his professional background, prior experience, or a fully articulated political platform is limited.

• Mildred Marie Hall — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Mildred Marie Hall is a write-in candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District in the general election on November 3, 2026. Her party affiliation is listed as "Other Candidates," and her jurisdiction is Prince George's County. Public filings show a Washington, D.C. post office box as her address. The Federal Election Commission has records for a committee named "AS WE GO BUREAU NEWS MILDRED MARIE HALL FOR CONGRESS" associated with her candidacy. Hall has not completed Ballotpedia's candidate survey. Her campaign is focused on the upcoming general election where she will appear on the ballot for Maryland voters.

• Brian S. Jordan — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 5, Maryland

  Brian S. Jordan is an unaffiliated candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Maryland's 5th Congressional District. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served as a Naval Aviator and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following his military service, Jordan became a small business owner and inventor. He has been a resident of the district for more than twenty years. His campaign platform emphasizes independence from party politics, focusing on solutions for local issues such as underfunded schools, infrastructure, and supporting small businesses. He proposes bolstering local enterprises through targeted tax relief and the reduction of regulations to foster economic growth.