Ghanaian-born politician Adrian Boafo has secured a major political victory in the United States after winning the Democratic Party primary for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.
The 32-year-old Maryland State Delegate emerged victorious in the June 23, 2026 primary election and is now set to represent the Democratic Party in the November general election for the congressional seat being vacated by Steny Hoyer.
Boafo received strong backing from senior Democrats, including Wes Moore, as well as endorsements from influential political and advocacy groups during the campaign.
In his victory speech, Boafo described the result as a mandate for a new generation of leadership.
“Tonight the Democratic voters of the 5th Congressional District decided that it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. And it’s with great humility that I accept that responsibility,” he said.
Born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, Boafo was raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he developed an early interest in public service and community advocacy.
He attended DeMatha High School before enrolling at the University of Baltimore, where he became the institution’s first Black Student Government Association president.
His political career began on Capitol Hill, where he worked for Congressman Steny Hoyer while pursuing an MBA. At the age of 25, he successfully unseated an incumbent to win a seat on the Bowie City Council and later served as Mayor Pro Tem.
Boafo subsequently won election to the Maryland House of Delegates, where he championed legislation aimed at improving student mental health services, strengthening wage theft protections, increasing the minimum wage, and addressing housing affordability.
Throughout his campaign for Congress, Boafo positioned himself as a representative of a new generation of leaders focused on economic opportunity, affordable housing, healthcare access, and protecting social safety net programmes.
