By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
Tmcqueen@afro.com
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) announced Jan. 9 that he will seek re-election in 2024, ending speculation that he would step down after representing the state for 23 terms in the House of Representatives.
In an interview with the AFRO, Hoyer said he sat down with his wife, Elaine C. Kamarck, to put some serious thought into whether he should run for re-election or not.
“We sat down and talked about it and the challenges to the country posed by the Trump candidacy and the support, sadly, that Trump has in the Republican Party and the threat that he poses to our democracy, Constitution and our values as a country,” said Hoyer. “The overall environment is a very concerning one for me and I felt that the priorities that I care a lot about are at risk. I wanted, therefore, to stay in the fight.”
Those priorities include securing the funding for the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Md.
“Over the last 14 years, Angela Alsobrooks both as state’s attorney and as a county executive – we’ve both worked very hard to get the FBI to select ,” said Hoyer. “Now we want to fight very hard to make sure that we get the money to have it constructed.”
Hoyer has endorsed Alsobrooks to take the seat to be vacated by the retirement of Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in 2025.
Hoyer is the longest-serving current representative in Maryland and was House majority leader during Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) term as House speaker..
Pelosi similarly announced her run for re-election via X back in September 2023.
“Now more than ever our city needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” said Pelosi. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”
Hoyer, Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.-06) stepped back from their longtime Democratic leadership positions in the House in 2022 to let younger leaders step forward for the Democratic party.
“I imagine it is a difficult call for congressional leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer about whether to retire or not given the stakes are so high right now about which party governs as the majority,” said Nina Kasniunas, an associate professor of political science at Goucher College. “Pelosi and Hoyer have a lot of experience and fundraising prowess that can still benefit Democrats in Congress, while at the same time there is a push for the older members of Congress to step out and make room for younger leaders.”
Pelosi has been in office for 37 years and Clyburn for 30 years.
Hoyer was celebrated in 2023 at the Maryland Democratic Gala for his 50-plus years of political work.
Six candidates have officially filed for the 5th congressional district seat: Quincy Bareebe (D) of Anne Arundel County, Md., Andrea L. Crooms (D) of Prince George’s County, Md., Leonard “Lenny” Proctor (D) of Charles County, Md., Michelle Talkington (R) of Charles County, Md. and McKayla Wilkes (D) of Charles County, Md.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
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