New Poll Shows Rushern Baker Leading Crowded Maryland 5th Congressional District Democratic Primary
For Immediate Release • Monday, March 9, 2026
Prince George’s County, MD — A new poll of likely Democratic primary voters shows former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker in a significant lead in the crowded race for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The survey also found Baker has the highest name recognition in the field—nearly seven in ten voters (69 percent) recognize Baker, significantly higher than other candidates tested.
The poll, which was conducted by GQR between February 26 and March 1, surveyed 400 likely Democratic primary voters and carries a margin of error of ±4.9 percent. The results come as the race to succeed longtime Congressman Steny Hoyer continues to take shape, with more than twenty Democratic candidates having filed for the seat.
“This early polling shows our campaign is starting from a position of strength,” said Rushern Baker. “Voters across Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County know my record of taking on tough fights and getting things done. They know I’m the right candidate to stand up to Trump, lower costs for working families, and expand access to healthcare—because I’ve done it before. I’m grateful for the early support, but we know this will be a competitive race and we’re working every day to reach voters across the district.”
The initial ballot test shows Rushern Baker leading the field with 22% of the vote, followed by Harry Dunn at 15%, Wala Blegay at 11%, and Nicole Williams at 9%. Other candidates register in the single digits, including Quincy Bareebe at 6%, Arthur Ellis at 5%, Adrian Boafo at 3%, and Harry Jarin at 1%, while less than 1% selected another candidate. Twenty-eight percent of voters remain undecided.
In terms of name recognition, Rushern Baker leads the field with 69% recognition. The next closest candidates are Harry Dunn at 42% and Wala Blegay at 41%. Other candidates trail behind, including Quincy Bareebe at 36%, Arthur Ellis at 31%, Adrian Boafo at 30%, Nicole Williams at 29%, and Harry Jarin at 20%.
The Baker campaign continues to build momentum with grassroots support, community engagement, and a growing coalition of leaders and supporters throughout the Fifth District.
A memo outlining the poll results is available here.
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Rushern Baker Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iran
For Immediate Release • Saturday, February 28, 2026
Prince George’s County, MD — Rushern L. Baker III, Army veteran and candidate for Congress in Maryland’s 5th District, released the following statement regarding the recent U.S. military strikes in Iran:
“The Constitution is clear: only Congress can take this country to war. No president can make that decision alone.
I served in the military and grew up in a military family. I know what it means to serve—and I know how hard it is on families when someone they love deploys.
The cost of war is real. It’s American lives. It’s military families waiting for safe returns. It’s billions of dollars pulled away from healthcare, schools, and childcare here at home.
Working families across Maryland are already stretched thin—and they will pay the price for this unconstitutional war at the pump and at the grocery store.
Donald Trump promised no new wars. Instead, he launched military action without congressional authorization, breaking yet another promise to the American people. In Congress, holding this administration accountable will be a top priority.
I am praying for the safety of our servicemembers overseas and am grateful to them and their families for their sacrifice and service.”
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Rushern Baker III Launches Campaign for Congress, Says He’s Ready to Fight Back on Day One
For Immediate Release • Wednesday, February 25, 2026
“The stakes are too high for on-the-job training,” Baker says
Prince George’s County, MD — Rushern L. Baker III—an Army veteran, attorney, former Delegate, and two-term Prince George’s County Executive—today announced his campaign for Congress in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, saying this moment demands a battle-tested leader ready to fight back and deliver results on Day One.
Baker’s announcement comes just one day after President Trump’s State of the Union address, which Baker said offered “more division, more political grievances, and no real plan to lower costs for working families.”
“What we heard last night was more chaos and more attacks on the institutions that protect our democracy — but no serious plan to bring down prices, protect healthcare, or strengthen our economy,” said Baker. “Maryland families deserve better. One thing is clear: the stakes are too high for on-the-job training.”
“This election is about who is ready—right now—to stand up, fight back, and deliver results for Maryland families. I’ve spent my career taking on tough fights, and I’m ready to do it again on Day One.”
Baker enters the race with a record of stepping up and delivering results during a crisis. After corruption eroded trust in Prince George’s County under his predecessor, Baker didn’t look away—he chose to lead, even when it meant taking on his own party. When he took office, the county was facing rising crime, economic stagnation, and a $150 million budget deficit. He strengthened ethics and transparency laws, restored fiscal stability, rebuilt public trust, and delivered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Maryland history.
Under his leadership, Prince George’s County attracted more than $11 billion in private investment, secured transformative projects like MGM National Harbor, and added more than 21,000 jobs—leading Maryland in job growth for five straight quarters and transforming the county into a regional economic engine. He also secured funding for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center and expanded access to healthcare in historically underserved communities.
Baker fought back against Donald Trump’s attacks on Maryland workers and families—blocking county cooperation with Trump’s dangerous immigration enforcement raids, demanding the government reopen during the shutdown that left Maryland federal workers without pay, and fighting to keep the FBI headquarters in Greenbelt. Prior to serving as County Executive, Baker represented the region in the Maryland House of Delegates, including as chair of Prince George's County delegation.
“Now, it’s time to take that fight to Washington,” Baker added.
In Congress, Baker will:
Hold Donald Trump accountable and defend democratic institutions
Lower costs for hardworking families
Strengthen healthcare and protect medical research
Support caregivers
Stand up for veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they earned
For Baker, the fight for healthcare and medical research is deeply personal. For more than a decade, he served as the primary caregiver for his late wife, Christa “Cis” Beverly, as she battled early-onset Alzheimer’s disease until her passing in 2021. At a time when this administration threatens research funding and creates uncertainty around science-based drug approvals, Baker will fight to protect medical innovation, strengthen community health programs, and ensure caregivers have the support they deserve.
Learn more at: RushernBaker.com
Contact: Madeleine Russak | press@rushernbaker.com
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