Rep. Steny Hoyer faces challenge from young political newcomer

Yahoo

2 days ago

WASHINGTON — A volunteer firefighter is challenging Maryland's most indomitable member for his seat in Congress.
Harry Jarin, a resident of Anne Arundel County, announced last week that he will run against longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer to represent Maryland's 5th District.
'I don't know how much more losing the establishment of the Democratic Party was planning on doing before they decide to try something different,' Jarin, 35, told The Baltimore Sun. 'A big part of that, and kind of an underrated part of why we're losing, is that we keep putting literally the same people back into office again and again, none more so than Steny Hoyer himself.'
Although it isn't unusual for Hoyer to face a primary challenge — he's had primary challengers every election since 2016 — the state of the Democratic Party makes Jarin's challenge more relevant, even if a victory over Hoyer is hard to imagine. The party, for a decade defined by leaders with decades of experience, is facing the fallout over the age of its public leaders after multiple lawmakers died in office and former President Joe Biden's withdrawal and recent cancer diagnosis.
Jarin grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and moved to Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he grew up around politics, the campaign is Jarin's first run for any political office. And he could hardly have picked a more intimidating opponent.
Hoyer, 85, has been in Congress since 1981. He became an integral figure in the party's leadership, serving as House Majority Leader — the chamber's second-highest-ranking Democrat — from 2007 to 2011, and again from 2019 to 2023.
He's seen numerous primary challenges over the last decade, including last year. None have come close to unseating him. Facing three younger challengers in the 2024 primary, Hoyer received more than 72%.
There's also the matter of money. Hoyer is a well-funded incumbent, with over $573,000 on hand, plus an extensive donor network built over many years in office.
Adrian Boafo, a state House delegate from Prince George's County who has worked for Hoyer, told The Sun that age isn't an issue for Hoyer within the district.
'I get the national concern and sentiment; I just don't think this is the same case' as Biden, Boafo said. 'He's around, he's active, and people know who he is.'
'I remember when I used to work for the guy,' Boafo added. 'He was sharper than all of us.'
However, Hoyer's challenger identifies vulnerabilities in the party's longest-serving officeholders, continuing a theme that has plagued Democrats since the 2024 presidential election.
'What I see is the Democratic Party on a very, very bad trajectory, where Republicans are slowly but surely peeling away more and more voters from groups that Democrats were able to take for granted for a long time,' Jarin said.
He pointed to November, when President Donald Trump won the popular vote and made gains with Hispanic and Black voters, key constituencies for Democratic candidates. Trump also posted strong numbers with young men.
Jarin said the modern state of politics, where news is often consumed via TikTok or other social media, is more fitting for a younger candidate. He admitted, though, that he doesn't currently have a strong social media presence. 'I'm not gonna say that I'm some sort of social media whiz here,' he said, with the caveat that he believes he's more physically able to knock on the doors of constituents.
Despite Hoyer's advanced age, Boafo said matching the congressman's pace is easier said than done.
'I'm 31 now and as a staffer to him, [I] couldn't keep up with him,' Boafo said. 'I just don't think Harry understands who this guy is and who he's going up against.'
Age has become an early test for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Three Democratic members of the House have passed away since March. Each has been at least 70 years old. Two had previously been diagnosed with cancer, including Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia.
Connolly stepped away from his role as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee in late April after his cancer returned. He died weeks later.
Despite Jarin's challenge emphasizing Hoyer's age and energy, as well as systemic issues within the Democratic Party, he shied away from criticizing the party's handling of the presidential election, as other new generation Democrats have done.
'Joe Biden is retired. That's in the past,' Jarin said. 'We can't do it over again. We have to look at the future.'
'This happens on both sides of the aisle, to some extent,' Jarin added, referring to lawmakers with health issues. 'Again, this has nothing to do with Joe Biden.'
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