Steny Hoyer

Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s) suspended her campaign Tuesday to replace longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), citing the costs of competing in a crowded primary where two dozen Democrats were seeking the nomination.

“Perhaps it’s a bit of tragic poetry that, in the midst of an affordability crisis, that even the cost of running to represent the people of Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District is too high,” Williams said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon.

“I believe in earnest that I remain the best candidate to fight and work for Marylanders in Washington, to speak truth to power, and to be a tireless progressive voice for women, immigrants, and marginalized communities,” she wrote.

The timing of the announcement also means that Williams, an attorney with the firm Rees Broome in Tysons Corner, Virginia, will lose her seat in the House of Delegates in January, since the deadline for her to file for reelection to that seat passed in February.

Williams does not plan to endorse any of the 23 Democrats remaining in the race to succeed Hoyer, who is stepping down after 45 years.

One of those candidates is fellow Prince George’s County Democratic Del. Adrian Boafo, who became the candidate to beat after he was endorsed by Hoyer endorsed him in January.

David Karol, an associate professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland, College Park, said Boafo “is probably favored” based on the money he has — he reported having $401,080 in the bank as of March 31, according to his Federal Election Commission report — and major endorsements, from Hoyer and both the national and state teachers’ unions.

Karol said, “it’s possible” a few more candidates could decide to drop out of the race as early voting in the primary election approaches, from June 11-18. Election Day is for the primary is June 23.

“In a crowded field, it’s hard to get attention and break through,” Karol said. “Some candidates will feel like there’s no point to sticking it out to the end with several weeks to go. They would spend more money at a time they don’t see a realistic path.”

The other two candidates to pay attention to, Karol said, are former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and businesswoman Quincy Bareebe. Dunn has raised more than $2 million and Bareebe has self-funded most of her $3 million campaign.

But there is no shortage of other candidates. Besides Boafo, other elected officials in the race are Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles), Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay and Charles County Commission President Reuben Collins II.

In addition to Dunn and Bareebe, other Democrats in the race are former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, Mark Arness, Ellis Colvin, Elldwnia “Ella” English, Terry Antonio Jackson II, Harry Jarin, Walter Kirkland, Jerry Lightfoot, Heather Luper, James Makle Jr., Leigha Messick, Keith Salkowski, Kenneth Simons, Alexis Solis, Tracy Starr, Dave Sundberg and Harold Tolbert.

There are also three Republicans in that primary race — Chris Chaffee, Bryan DuVal and Michelle Talkington — and three independents who plan to run in the November general election — Mildred Marie Hall, Jonathan Burruss and Brian Jordan.

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and Twitter (X). The link is https://marylandmatters.org.