15-02-2025
McClain Delaney, Parrott both file candidacy statements for 2026 midterm election
Voters in Maryland's 6th Congressional District could see a rematch between U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney and former state delegate Neil Parrott in the next midterm election.
Delaney, a Democrat from Potomac, and Parrott, a Republican from Hagerstown, have both filed updated statements of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission for 2026, online records show.
A statement of candidacy allows a person to designate political committees to raise money on their behalf for a specific election.
In response to a request on Thursday for comment about his filing, Parrott referred to a recent newsletter to his supporters.
"I filed with the FEC to keep my campaign account open for financial purposes. It's considered part of an 'exploratory' campaign," Parrott said in the newsletter. "I didn't make an announcement, and I didn't file to run with the Maryland Board of Elections."
Parrott also criticized McClain Delaney in the newsletter for referencing his statement of candidacy in a fundraising text for her own 2026 campaign.
"She owns houses totaling more than $25 Million, all outside of Maryland's 6th District, yet she is asking people for their money to fund her next campaign," Parrott said.
A spokesperson for McClain Delaney could not be reached by phone or email on Thursday and Friday about the congresswoman's statement of candidacy or about Parrott's comments.
McClain Delaney won the 6th District seat in 2024 with 53.05% of the vote, according to data from the Maryland State Board of Elections. Parrott received 46.72% of the vote.
Prior to the 2024 election cycle, McClain Delaney had never run for public office. Her husband, John Delaney, held the 6th District seat from 2013 to 2019, but the district lines have since been redrawn.
Parrott won the Republican nomination for the 6th District seat in 2020 and again in 2022, but lost both times to former U.S. Rep. David Trone.
Trone did not seek reelection in 2024. He instead ran for an open U.S. Senate seat, but lost to now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
