FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Maryland’s Adrian Boafo for Election to Congress
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
AFGE says Boafo is a proven leader and dedicated public servant
WASHINGTON –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of Adrian Boafo for election to the U.S. House representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The statewide primary is June 23, and the general election is Nov. 3.
The son of immigrants who moved from Ghana, West Africa, to Bowie, Md., in search of a better future, Boafo credits his parents’ sacrifices with instilling in him the importance of faith, determination, and fighting for what’s right.
“Adrian Boafo is a proven leader and dedicated public servant who is committed to improving the lives of those he represents – whether he’s serving as a Bowie council member and mayor pro tempore, in the Maryland House of Delegates, or hopefully as the next member of Congress representing Maryland’s 5th Congressional District,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
“Boafo served alongside the district’s current representative, retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer, as his campaign manager for many years and has earned Rep. Hoyer’s endorsement to fill his seat. AFGE proudly endorses Adrian Boafo for election to Congress, and we look forward to working with him to improve the lives of working families in Maryland and across the country when he’s elected this November.”
Boafo also has earned the endorsement of Maryland Gov Wes Moore, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and more than 30 other elected officials. He is part of a new generation of leaders that is ready to deliver for working families.
“It was the federal workers in my community growing up that first inspired me to become a public servant,” Boafo said. “Their selflessness and commitment to improving the lives of Marylanders and folks across the country is an inspiration. I’m so incredibly honored to have the backing of AFGE, a union that has fought to strengthen protections for the thousands of workers in our district. As Trump’s assault on our democracy and our government continues, I’m honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with AFGE to fight for our values and protect our federal workers here in the 5th and beyond.”
Once elected, Boafo has pledged to cosponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would overturn President Trump’s executive orders stripping most federal employees of their collective bargaining rights.
He also has pledged to cosponsor the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would guarantee federal workers receive pay during government shutdowns. While serving as a Maryland state delegate, Boafo cosponsored legislation to provide no-interest loans to support federal workers and their families impacted by the Trump administration’s layoffs, firings, and federal funding cuts, and he supported state funding for free transit and energy assistance programs to help federal workers weather government shutdowns and economic uncertainty.
He would also join the newly created bipartisan and bicameral Federal Workforce Caucus, which is committed to protecting federal workers and strengthening our merit-based civil service.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. More than 225,000 federal workers live in Maryland, and about 53,500 live in the 5th Congressional District – which has the highest concentration of federal workers of any district in the country.
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For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center.
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