Multi-racial coalitions boost new faces in Maryland primary election

By Dr. Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor 

In Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s County and all the way down Maryland Highway 5, a multi-racial coalition of primary voters positioned new Black faces for leadership in county and congressional races.

With 87 percent of the vote in his favor early after polls closed, Governor and First Lady of Maryland, Wes and Dawn Moore got on the road to Howard County to cheer for Md. State Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary as she claimed victory in the Democratic primary for Howard County Executive. 

Howard County

“Nothing is given, everything is earned, and you earned this,” Moore told Atterbeary’s supporters, who gathered at Merriweather Post Pavillion on primary election night. “When I thought about how I was going to lean in and support Vanessa it wasn’t just because of her hope for the future, it was because of the track record she already had,” Moore said.

He quickly listed several issues Atterbeary has supported in her 11 years in Maryland’s General Assembly including increasing the minimum wage, support for laid off Maryland federal workers, middle class tax cuts, and protection for reproductive rights. 

Atterbeary, a native of Howard County said she is ready for this moment in Howard County.

 “We will bring people together to solve problems, not create problems. The future of Howard County is bright; it is inclusive and it’s full of possibilities,” Atterbeary said. 

In an interview with AFRO News, Atterbeary said that she was ready to do the work to ensure Howard County’s growing diverse population felt welcome in Maryland’s wealthiest county, based on data from the Maryland Department of Planning. 

“I know we have work to do to ensure our Latino neighbors are safe and protected,” she said. “Our African-American youth are also experiencing challenges that will be an area of focus. We must make sure there are positive outlets for all our youth for their health and safety,” Atterbeary said. 

Montgomery County

Will Jawando led the race for the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Executive. However, Jawando did not declare victory on election night. 

On Wednesday, as of 6:45 p.m., Jawando led with 40.8 percent of the vote, while District One Councilman Andrew Friedson, followed with 33.5 percent. 

Prince George’s County

County Executive Aisha Braveboy easily cruised to victory in a primary race against four opponents, claiming more than 70 percent of the vote. Braveboy originally became County executive in a special election in June 2025. She fended off Democratic challengers Gregory Holmes, Charnell D. Ferguson, and Billy Bridges, in Tuesday’s race for the Democratic nomination for a full four-year term. 

Tara Jackson, serving as incumbent State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County won against challengers Prince George’s County Councilwoman Wanika Fisher and Karen Piper Mitchell in what turned out to be the county’s most expensive race for the top legal post in history. 

Currently Prince George’s council members Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison won the democratic nomination for the council’s two at-large seats. Ivey, who won an at-large position in a 2025 special election ran this year for the permanent post and Harrison, ran for the at-large seat vacated by Wala Blegay who gave up her council seat to run for Congress.  

U.S. Congress District 4 and 5

In District 5, Maryland State Delegate Adrian Buafo, beat back a crowded field of 24 contenders to win the Maryland Democratic primary. District 5 stretches from Prince George’s County to the tip of St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland. The district also includes all of Charles County. 

Buafo was endorsed by outgoing U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer. Buafo has also been criticized by other candidates in the race for accepting 5. 7 million from the United Democracy Project, a pro-Israel super pac. Buafo will face republican Chris Chafee in the November general election. 

In District 4, Congressman Glen Ivey sailed to a primary win with more than 70 percent of the vote against Democratic challengers Jakeya Johnson, Shavonne Hedgepath, Jonathan White and Joseph Gomes. Ivey will face Republican candidate George McDermott in November.

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