Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• J. D. Kumar — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  J. D. Kumar is a Democratic candidate campaigning for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent Maryland's 8th Congressional District. His platform is built upon a foundation of ensuring equality for all people and protecting essential human and civil rights. Kumar has publicly stated his intention to work collaboratively with both major political parties to find bipartisan solutions to pressing issues. A key focus of his candidacy is a commitment to making basic needs, such as healthcare and housing, affordable for everyone. He also advocates for the consistent application of the rule of law to foster the development of safe and prosperous communities for all residents. The Democratic primary for this election is scheduled for June 23, 2026.

• Stephen Alan Leon — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Stephen Alan Leon is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 8th Congressional District. A resident of Montgomery County for two decades, he has a 17-year professional background in intellectual property law. Leon is also a small business owner who holds patents and has developed a mobile application. His policy platform focuses on socioeconomic improvements, environmental protection, and the fair use of technology, advocating for artificial intelligence to complement the workforce. He supports campaign finance reform through the American Anti-Corruption Act. Leon previously ran as an independent write-in candidate in Virginia's 8th Congressional District and is a member of the ACLU and Greenpeace.

• Jamie Raskin — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Jamin "Jamie" Ben Raskin, born December 13, 1962, is an American attorney, law professor, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district since 2017. Before his election to Congress, Raskin was a professor of constitutional law at American University Washington College of Law for more than 25 years. He also served in the Maryland State Senate from 2007 to 2016, including a tenure as Majority Whip. Raskin earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 1983 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1987. He was the lead impeachment manager for the second impeachment of President Donald Trump.

• Boris Kabel Velasquez — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Boris Kabel Velasquez is a Progressive Democrat running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 8th Congressional District. His background includes service as a Marine veteran and a career as an engineer. The son of immigrants, Velasquez also identifies as an Indigenous American. A key feature of his campaign is the refusal of all monetary donations and PAC money, focusing instead on grassroots communication and mobilization. His platform is centered on representing the interests of communities he feels have been ignored by those in power, including Native, immigrant, and working-class people. This approach underscores his commitment to a grassroots-funded and people-powered political movement.

• Anita Mpambara Cox — Republican Central Committee in Legislative District 19, Maryland

  Anita Mpambara Cox is a Republican candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 8th Congressional District. A Ugandan-American, she has a background in international affairs from her career with the U.S. State Department, which spanned more than two decades and included service in various roles across eight countries. Cox holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an MBA. In addition to her diplomatic career, she is the founder and president of the Mpambara-Cox Foundation, an international non-profit educational foundation. Cox has also been active in local Montgomery County civic life, serving as a Commissioner on the County Charter Review Commission and as a member of the City of Gaithersburg's Multicultural Affairs Committee.

• Donald L. Lech — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Donald L. Lech is a Republican candidate competing for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 8th Congressional District. He is currently focused on securing the Republican nomination in the upcoming primary election, which is scheduled to be held on June 23, 2026. Should he be successful in the primary contest, he will advance to the general election on November 3, 2026. As of this time, comprehensive details concerning Mr. Lech's biography, prior professional experience, or his specific political platform have not been publicly disclosed by the campaign. This is not uncommon for candidates in the preliminary phases of a campaign cycle as they prepare to formalize their public messaging.

• Cheryl Riley — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Cheryl Riley is a Republican candidate seeking to represent Maryland's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Riley has deep, long-standing roots within the community she aims to serve. Her educational background is also local, having studied at both Montgomery College and the University of Maryland, College Park. Professionally, Riley has built a substantial career in public relations, a field in which she possesses over 25 years of experience. This extensive background culminated in her founding her own public relations firm. Prior to her congressional run, she was a candidate for the Montgomery County Council in 2022.

• Michael Yadeta — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Michael Yadeta is a Republican candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 8th Congressional District. An entrepreneur and civil engineering company owner, Yadeta is also an Ethiopian American community advocate. His political background includes previous campaigns for the same office and involvement in a presidential campaign. Yadeta's platform centers on promoting economic growth and job creation, upholding constitutional rights, and implementing a values-based education system. He also emphasizes support for religious freedom, law and order, and the establishment of a streamlined legal immigration process. Yadeta aims to represent all constituents and create new opportunities within the district.

• Nancy Wallace — Representative in Congress in Congressional District 8, Maryland

  Nancy Wallace is the Green Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 8th Congressional District. A graduate of Yale University with a bachelor's degree in political science, she has dedicated her career to environmental advocacy. Her professional experience includes lobbying on international environmental issues, founding the International Entanglement Network, and serving as a director for the Sierra Club. She also co-founded Sustainable Montgomery and worked as a data coordinator for ecological restoration projects with the Department of Commerce. Wallace previously ran for this congressional seat in 2016. Her platform prioritizes a robust response to climate change through a transition to renewable energy.