As the filing deadline for the 2026 primary elections approaches on Feb. 24, many of us in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District are still waiting on a key piece of information: whether our 23-term incumbent representative, 86-year-old Steny Hoyer, plans to run for a 24th term.

After Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced last month that she would not seek reelection, other House Democrats noted their expectation that Rep. Hoyer would follow her lead. If these reports are right, then this district is not really awaiting Rep. Hoyer’s decision, but rather his public announcement. The difference is significant because many potential candidates would like Rep. Hoyer’s endorsement and access to his vast donor network, so few are willing to challenge him directly as I have. By delaying his r

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