Adrian Boafo

Adrian Asiedu Boafo (born May 10, 1994) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 23rd district in Prince George's County, Maryland, since 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Born in Virginia and raised in Maryland, Boafo graduated from the University of Baltimore and American University. He began his political career as a press staffer for U.S. representatives Xavier Becerra and Ruben Kihuen before becoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's campaign manager. He was elected to the Bowie city council in 2019 and the Maryland House of Delegates in 2022. At the same time, Boafo worked as a federal lobbyist for the Oracle Corporation.

Boafo is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th congressional district election in 2026.

Early life and education Boafo was born in Arlington, Virginia, on May 10, 1994. His parents were immigrants from Ghana who migrated to the United States in the 1980s after the country's democratic political systems collapsed.

Boafo graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in 2012. He later attended the University of Baltimore, where he served as the president of the university's student government and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and public policy in 2016. Boafo was also appointed to serve as the vice president of undergraduate affairs on the University System of Maryland's student council. He also graduated from American University, receiving a Master of Business Administration degree in 2019. After graduating, Boafo worked as a press intern for U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra and as a national press assistant for U.S. Representative Ruben Kihuen. He later served as the campaign manager for House Majority leader Steny Hoyer from 2018 to 2021.

While serving on the Bowie city council and in the Maryland House of Delegates, Boafo also worked as a federal lobbyist for the Oracle Corporation. Boafo is listed among Oracle lobbyists who worked on the second Trump administration's plan to remove barriers to artificial intelligence leadership and "issues related to data centers." Boafo says his role is focused on coding access and technological literacy in communities of color. Boafo won election to the Bowie city council on November 6, 2019, with 34.8 percent of the vote. Soon after, the council selected him to serve as the city's youngest mayor pro tempore, succeeding at-large council member Henri Gardner.

Development initiatives In May 2020, Boafo voted to stop construction and cancel the city's contract to build a new ice rink, instead opting to build an indoor courts facility. In July 2020, Boafo voted against cancelling public-private partnership proposals to repair and operate Bowie's city-operated ice rink. After the city council voted to reject the proposals, it created a task force for the amenity. The task force unveiled its recommendations on January 19, 2021.

In January 2021, Boafo voted against a bill to support a preliminary plan for the Bowie's Mill Branch Crossing development.

In June 2021, Boafo introduced a bill to provide city residents with a rebate of up to $50 to install a new water filtration system. The City Council unanimously voted to pass the initiative. Later that month, the United States House Committee on Appropriations' Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee approved a $2 million request from the city to replace one mile of a tuberculated cast iron water main.

Policing In 2019, Boafo included a budget line item in the city's budget to reimburse Bowie residents for installing outdoor cameras. In November 2020, Boafo and the Bowie Police Department launched a program to provide rebates up to $50 for residents who purchase and install a home security camera.

In June 2020, Boafo attended a vigil to honor George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor at Allen Pond Park in Bowie.

Maryland House of Delegates

Boafo announced he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 23 on February 25, 2022. His campaign was endorsed by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. He won the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022, placing second with 14.4 percent of the vote.

In September 2024, Boafo established his own federal political action committee, GenBlue PAC, to endorse liberal candidates running for Congress.

2026 congressional campaign

On January 12, 2026, Boafo announced that he would run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 5th congressional district, seeking to succeed Steny Hoyer, who is retiring. During the Democratic primary, he received endorsements from Hoyer, Governor Wes Moore, and U.S. senator Angela Alsobrooks. Boafo also supported proposals to raise the federal minimum wage and to increase support for small businesses.

In June 2026, AIPAC's United Democracy Project super PAC and pro-cryptocurrency super PAC Protect Progress spent more than $11 million in independent expenditures boosting Boafo's campaign. Maryland's other U.S. Senator, Chris Van Hollen, criticized the spending, telling voters to "beware" of outside groups "trying to buy the congressional seat" and later questioning whether Boafo made promises to these groups in exchange for their support. Boafo rejected this claim, saying that he promised nothing and found Van Hollen's question "extremely insulting".

Boafo won the Democratic primary election with 32.7 percent of the vote on June 23, 2026, and will face perennial candidate Chris Chaffee in the general election.

Political positions Education During the 2026 legislative session, Boafo introduced the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which would restrict students' use of personal electronic devices and ban social media use during school hours.

Electoral reform During his 2026 congressional campaign, Boafo supported repealing the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

Energy During the 2026 legislative session, Boafo supported the RENEW Act, which would have studied the environmental damage caused by fossil fuel companies. During his 2026 congressional campaign, he supported setting federal standards on data centers, including what kinds of battery energy storage systems and clean energy sources are involved and increased transparency in the permitting process.

Immigration During the 2026 legislative session, Boafo introduced a bill that would prohibit United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers hired during the second Trump administration from applying to become Maryland law enforcement officers in the future.

Israel Boafo supports Israel–United States relations, but is critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During his 2026 congressional campaign, Boafo supported strengthening Israel–United States relations and ensuring the country "has the security assistance it needs to defend itself". He also supported increasing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

Minimum wage During the 2026 legislative session, Boafo introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage of Maryland from $15 to $25 an hour and eliminate all subminimum wages.

Redistricting In August 2025, amid Republican efforts to redraw Texas's congressional districts to gain five congressional seats in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, Boafo supported redrawing Maryland's congressional districts to make Maryland's 1st congressional district more favorable to Democrats.

Personal life Boafo at a Washington Commanders football game with Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and state delegate Kevin Harris. Boafo is a Catholic.

Electoral history