Rushern Baker Statement Following Senator Van Hollen Press Call on Outside Spending in MD-05

For Immediate Release • Thursday, June 4, 2026

Baker raises concerns over $3 million in crypto industry spending and Delegate Boafo’s record advancing industry priorities in the Maryland statehouse 

Prince George’s County, MD—Following U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s press call, former Prince George’s County Executive and candidate for Maryland’s 5th congressional district Rushern Baker released the following statement regarding millions in dark money to support Oracle lobbyist and Maryland Delegate Adrian Boafo:

“What’s most concerning isn’t just that crypto-industry Super PACs are spending millions to elect Adrian Boafo—it’s the conflicts of interest and pattern of conduct that led to that support in the first place.

"Special interests do not spend that kind of money expecting nothing in return. They want someone who will work for them. Delegate Boafo already has.

"While taking a paycheck from Oracle as a federal lobbyist, Delegate Boafo introduced multiple bills to advance crypto interests in the Maryland statehouse and used his official letterhead to urge U.S. House and Senate Democrats to pass a comprehensive cryptocurrency bill.

"Adrian can deny coordinating with the Super PAC, but he didn’t have to. His record speaks for itself.

"Maryland families deserve a representative who answers to this district, not one who already has a track record of answering to corporate special interests.”

Boafo spent four years as a registered federal lobbyist for Oracle while serving in the Maryland House of Delegates. While employed by Oracle, a company heavily invested in blockchain and digital asset technology, Delegate Boafo sponsored multiple blockchain and digital asset bills in Maryland, including legislation to expand blockchain use in state government, embed blockchain into property and lease records, and legislation to create legal protections for crypto activity while limiting state regulation.

He then convened a legislative hearing where Coinbase and other crypto industry advocates testified in support, using the same ‘regulatory clarity’ talking points the industry has pushed nationwide.

At the same time, Delegate Boafo failed to disclose Oracle stock compensation and Oracle state contracts on his required Maryland financial disclosure forms, only amending those filings shortly before announcing his campaign for Congress. The situation has also raised concerns from ethics and good-government experts about the conflicts created when elected officials simultaneously serve as paid corporate lobbyists. Craig Holman of Public Citizen, who has spent two decades tracking and drafting congressional ethics laws, warned that the lack of clear safeguards and restrictions in these situations can create serious conflicts of interest and ethical concerns.

He also used his official capacity as a state delegate to urge Congress to advance a federal crypto framework while appearing on Oracle’s federal lobbying disclosures tied to digital trade and related issues before the U.S. House and Senate.

Now, Protect Progress, a crypto-aligned Super PAC, has already spent over $3 million to support his campaign for Congress.

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