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<h2>When a house is on fire, you don't send in the same people who let it spread. You send in a firefighter.</h2>As Democrats, we've been asking ourselves some tough questions lately. Why did Donald Trump win again? Why does it feel like our party - and our country in general - is on the wrong track? Why do so many Americans feel left behind, angry, and ready to give up on democracy altogether?One answer is staring us in the face: Congress couldn't solve basic issues, and people gave up hope. The old guard in Washington had decades to fix the problems we’re now drowning in. They didn’t take on the fascist MAGA movement when it was rising, and now it’s firmly in power. Democrats lost because too many voters stopped believing we could actually deliver for them. My name is Harry Jarin. I’m a small business owner and a volunteer firefighter. In Congress, I'll focus on basic issues that affect working families, like healthcare, housing, transportation, and energy. I'll also be a more effective communicator for the Democratic Party than our current representatives can ever be. Maryland deserves a new generation of leadership. Thanks for visiting, and please consider making a donation to support our campaign.

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<h3>I've dedicated my life to public service and public safety.</h3>My career has been focused on helping fire and EMS departments across the country, including dozens right here in Maryland. I've helped hundreds of agencies navigate the process to secure funding for vital equipment and additional staffing to keep their communities safe. I understand first responders because I am one myself: I've served as a volunteer firefighter since 2013. My husband and I love our community here in Maryland, and I'm ready to fight for it.

<h2>Statement by Harry Jarin on Steny Hoyer's Retirement</h2>

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Congress has been declining as an institution for decades. We are hurtling into a Constitutional crisis because Congress couldn't solve basic problems. That's what opened the door to Donald Trump and the fascist MAGA movement.

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Harry Jarin, 35, is one of the latest Democrats to mount a challenge. The Maryland volunteer firefighter announced his bid against former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 85, and has made age a central focus of his bid.“I think a lot of older establishment Democrats are just not psychologically prepared to deal with a fascist administration that clearly has no respect for the rule of law,” he told the Daily Beast. “I think a lot of the rules and the systems they’ve been used to in Congress for 30 or 40 years have totally broken down, and they’re not really sure what to do next.”Jarin argued Congress is not functioning as an institution and an equal branch of government. He said the Democratic Party has forgotten how to “do politics and convince people to join our side.”

Harry Jarin, 35, is one of the latest Democrats to mount a challenge. “I think a lot of older establishment Democrats are just not psychologically prepared to deal with a fascist administration that clearly has no respect for the rule of law,” he told the Daily Beast. “I think a lot of the rules and the systems they’ve been used to in Congress for 30 or 40 years have totally broken down, and they’re not really sure what to do next.”

Frustrated Young Democrats Are Going After The Old Guard Like Never Before

Please join Harry at a candidate forum hosted by the Charles County DCCC on Thu 3/5 at the Jaycee's in Waldorf, MD. The event is open to the public.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mobilize.us/mddems/event/889677/"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/2a869e2c-dbbd-4fda-bea6-b43b8291d8b0/51561665-e3ae-4596-9549-b41626f5665b/51561665-e3ae-4596-9549-b41626f5665b.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C925%2C615&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="50" variant="framed"></a><img src="https://run.imgix.net/2a869e2c-dbbd-4fda-bea6-b43b8291d8b0/e5366682-7991-4418-9b03-22dc6a177e87/e5366682-7991-4418-9b03-22dc6a177e87.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1320%2C1625&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="50" variant="framed">

Please join Harry at a candidate forum hosted by the Charles County DCCC on Thu 3/5 at the Jaycee's in Waldorf, MD. The event is open to the public.

Charles County Democratic Central Committee Candidate Forum

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Jarin said that even if Mamdani’s policy prescriptions didn’t appeal to every voter, “he tapped into that insecurity that a lot of younger voters feel and the feeling that establishment Democrats haven’t done anything to address it. It’s voters rejecting the status quo, just as they did in November when they elected Donald Trump. And right now, the establishment Democrats are the status quo.”

What Mamdani’s win may portend for Maryland

"The real danger to Jews today is coming from a radicalized, authoritarian right that is currently consolidating its grip on power. Those who closely observe Republican politics and its online subcultures know how deep the rot goes; antisemitism is no longer an ugly fringe but a core part of the right’s identity and worldview... Republicans can’t confront the antisemitic right head‑on because the party now depends on them for energy and online relevance."

"American Jews Should Fear the MAGA Right, Not a Muslim Mayor"

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

Too many working families and young people in Maryland are being priced out of their own communities. I will push for Federal investment in affordable housing construction, expand tax credits that put homeownership within reach, and cut red tape that slows down development. I will also push for a national Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy to encourage sustainable communities.

Affordable Housing & Sustainable Development

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Hundreds of thousands of Federal workers live right here in Maryland. They form the backbone of our communities and our government's infrastructure. We need swift action to prevent future shutdowns, protect Federal pensions and benefits, and make sure Federal workers are never used as political bargaining chips. Serving your country should never mean sacrificing your family's financial security.

Protecting Federal Employees

We need a Federal partner that helps lower costs today while building a clean, reliable energy system for tomorrow. I will fight to expand Federal programs that help cover utility costs, invest in grid upgrades and clean energy projects including nuclear, wind, and solar, and hold utility companies accountable for unfair rate hikes.

Lowering Utility Costs & Clean Energy

Southern Maryland’s farmers, watermen, and small businesses feel the brunt of bad trade policies. I will fight for free and fair trade agreements that open markets to Maryland products, stand up against tariffs that drive up the cost of living for ordinary Marylanders, and protect our supply chains from foreign manipulation. Our local economy should come before partisan politics.

Fair Trade &amp; Tariff Policy

Harry Jarin Applauds Pelosi’s Decision, Urges Hoyer to Follow Her LeadEdgewater, MD — On Thursday, November 6, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection after her current term.&nbsp;Harry Jarin, 36, Democratic candidate in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, praised Pelosi’s decision as a powerful example of leadership in the Democratic Party.“Nancy Pelosi has served this nation with unmatched tact, courage, and conviction,” said Jarin. "She changed the trajectory of our country for the better and showed what it means to lead with both grit and grace. I applaud her decision to step aside with dignity for a new generation of leaders.”Jarin drew a sharp contrast between Pelosi’s decision and the uncertain future of longtime Congressman Steny Hoyer.“Steny Hoyer has given decades of service to our country, and while he represented this district well in his prime, it’s time he passes the torch to the next generation,” Jarin said. “Many Marylanders don’t even realize he’s still in office. An increasing number of younger voters don’t even recognize his name. He hasn’t held in-person town halls for years, and his constituent services office isn’t even in our Congressional District. Hoyer represents a kind of politics that no longer resonates and hurts our party’s national brand.”Jarin noted that across the country, voters are choosing fresh voices who understand the urgency of the moment and the challenges facing younger generations.“The energy in our party’s base is outpacing these elderly members of Congress, and Tuesday’s election results showed that we can still win big if we select younger, energetic candidates,” Jarin continued. “The stakes are too high for Rep. Hoyer to wait several more months to make an announcement, let alone another two years. Nancy Pelosi understands that, and Steny Hoyer should do the same. My generation is stepping up whether the old guard is ready or not.”Jarin emphasized that the next representative for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District must represent real change and renewal for the Democratic Party. “Maryland’s 5th District doesn’t need a younger face repeating the same stagnant kind of politics,” Jarin said. “I’ve always made it clear that my campaign isn’t about age, but rather about energy and an outdated way of doing politics that’s no longer effective. Replacing one career politician with another who thinks the same way and is beholden to the same PACs won’t change anything. Southern Maryland deserves a representative who can actually connect with voters, not just lobbyists in Washington, and who understands firsthand the challenges that families here face.”

“Nancy Pelosi has served this nation with unmatched tact, courage, and conviction... I applaud her decision to step aside with dignity for a new generation of leaders." Jarin drew a sharp contrast between Pelosi’s decision and the uncertain future of longtime Congressman Steny Hoyer. "Steny Hoyer has given decades of service to our country, and while he represented this district well in his prime, it’s time he passes the torch to the next generation,” Jarin said.

Statement from Harry Jarin on Speaker Emerita Pelosi's Retirement Announcement

"Our older representatives - including my own congressman and primary opponent, Steny Hoyer, 86 - still operate as if traditional news media had the same influence as in the time of their own youth. Their unfamiliarity with the technology that now defines politics has become an existential crisis for the Democratic Party, which has lost 12 of the last 16 House elections and is now at risk of being locked out of power permanently.”

"Social media changed politics. Elderly Democrats missed the memo."

Harry Jarin, a resident of Anne Arundel County, announced last week that he will run against longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer to represent Maryland's 5th District. "I don't know how much more losing the establishment of the Democratic Party was planning on doing before they decide to try something different," Jarin, 35, told The Baltimore Sun. "A big part of that, and kind of an underrated part of why we're losing, is that we keep putting literally the same people back into office again and again, none more so than Steny Hoyer himself."

"I don't know how much more losing the establishment of the Democratic Party was planning on doing before they decide to try something different," Jarin, 35, told The Baltimore Sun. "A big part of that, and kind of an underrated part of why we're losing, is that we keep putting literally the same people back into office again and again, none more so than Steny Hoyer himself."

Rep. Steny Hoyer Faces Challenge From Young Political Newcomer

Edgewater, MD – Harry Jarin, a small business owner and volunteer firefighter, announced today that he is running for the US House of Representatives in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The district is currently represented by Steny Hoyer, one of the oldest members of Congress, who will be nearly 90 years old in the next term.&nbsp; “Steny Hoyer has presided over a rapid decline in Congress as a functioning institution. Families in Southern Maryland are facing multiple crises, including unprecedented cuts to Federal jobs and services, a housing shortage, and out-of-control healthcare costs,” said Harry Jarin. “While I respect his many decades of service, Steny represents a bygone era of politics that isn’t working for us anymore. I’m ready to take up the fight.” Jarin has served as a volunteer firefighter for over ten years. Through his work as a grant writer, he has helped hundreds of fire and EMS departments across the country secure funding for vital equipment and additional staffing.&nbsp; “I understand the difference between public service and self-service. Democrats need politicians who understand the daily challenges of everyday Americans. Our community needs a Representative who’s going to show up and be accountable to our district, and not treat this job as a personal retirement plan.” added Jarin. Jarin is pledging to hold regular in-person town halls with constituents, something Hoyer has not done for many years. He will also immediately move the constituent office in Greenbelt - which was left outside the district after a 2022 redistricting - within the actual borders of the district.&nbsp; Jarin is centering his campaign around the urgent need for new energy in the Democratic Party, restoring Congress as an institution, and producing real solutions to the crises facing working families of Southern Maryland.&nbsp; “I’ve seen from the inside how the Democratic Party has totally lost touch with working people. We didn’t present a vision of the future or politicians that people could relate to, and that’s what opened the door for Trump and extremist Republicans to take power. Politicians in their late 80s like Steny Hoyer simply don’t know how to communicate in the era of social media,” said Jarin. “Democrats have to recognize how badly we’ve failed and change course if we want to win. Step one is to stop treating congressional seats like lifetime appointments.” Jarin’s legislative priorities focus on an “abundance agenda,” including ensuring every American is able to see a primary care physician; securing funding for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project to reduce traffic in Charles County; lowering the cost of housing, energy, and infrastructure development through Federal planning reforms; and preserving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to ensure these vital programs stay solvent for future generations.&nbsp; “When a house is on fire, you don’t send in the same people who let it spread. You send in a firefighter. We can’t fix Congress by sending back the exact same people who let it fall apart in the first place,” said Jarin.

Harry Jarin, a small business owner and volunteer firefighter, announced today that he is running for the US House of Representatives in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The district is currently represented by Steny Hoyer, one of the oldest members of Congress, who will be nearly 90 years old in the next term.&nbsp;

Harry Jarin Announces Run for Congress

Government officials should be held to the highest standard when it comes to financial transparency. I will strengthen oversight of stock and digital asset trading by elected officials, increase public reporting requirements, and ensure clear consequences for conflicts of interest. Voters deserve confidence that decisions in Washington are made for the public good, not personal gain.

Cracking Down on Insider Trading and Market Manipulation

"...legal scholars and election officials alike are openly preparing for scenarios in which these forces are used to suppress turnout or directly interfere with voting in 2026. It is hard to imagine a clearer case for why the Democratic Party should embrace broad electoral participation wherever possible. Primary elections are also the only truly competitive elections voters get in much of the country, including all but one of Maryland’s congressional districts as currently drawn."

Voters Deserve To Know If Steny Hoyer Is Running

A grant-writing consultant by day, volunteer firefighter in his spare time, and onetime Jeopardy! contestant, Harry Jarin announced last week that he is challenging the former No. 2 in the House Democratic leadership, Steny Hoyer. “When you reelect someone in his late 80s, who has been in the seat since before most of us were born, you’re sending the message that we’re the party of the status quo and business as usual, and that hurts us in the marginal seats we need to win a majority,” Jarin told me.

Harry Jarin announced last week that he is challenging the former No. 2 in the House Democratic leadership, Steny Hoyer. “When you reelect someone in his late 80s, who has been in the seat since before most of us were born, you’re sending the message that we’re the party of the status quo and business as usual, and that hurts us in the marginal seats we need to win a majority,” Jarin told me. “Over the last 30, 40 years, Congress hasn’t been able to solve basic problems in our society..."

The New Democrats

Rep. Steny Hoyer has drawn a primary challenger with a pointed message about the 85-year-old: The incumbent Maryland Democrat is too old to run again.Harry Jarin, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter and emergency services consultant who once competed on “Jeopardy!”, launched his campaign Thursday because he said Democrats need to “stop treating congressional seats like lifetime appointments.”

POLITICO Exclusive: Rep. Steny Hoyer draws a challenger

Perhaps no issue is more important to the long-term direction of our country than revitalizing Congress as an institution. We need Congress to re-assert its Constitutional authority and stand up to the President's illegal, fascist abuses of power in order to restore balance to our system of government.

Confronting the Constitutional Crisis

“I am outraged that Steny Hoyer is leading a clandestine delegation of Democratic members of Congress without disclosing any information to the press or constituents. His secrecy is evidence of a guilty conscience. Steny knows what he is doing is wrong and unpopular, so he is deliberately hiding information about this trip. This unprecedented media blackout on such a trip is unlike anything we’ve seen: no photos, no official statements, and no answers on whether he is meeting directly with the criminal Netanyahu government. Hoyer has reportedly taken 22 members with him - more than 10% of the entire Democratic House membership - but Hoyer’s office won’t even tell the press which members are traveling with him. Even the Republicans who are on their own trip to Israel weren’t so cowardly.”“I have long agreed with Steny Hoyer’s criticism of Donald Trump for undermining democratic institutions, stoking domestic division, and abusing the judicial system to deflect from personal crimes. But I cannot ignore the hypocrisy: Benjamin Netanyahu has committed many of the same abuses and worse in Israel, yet Hoyer refuses to utter a single word of disapproval. While Donald Trump dismantles democracy here at home, Democrats lose all credibility by continuing to engage with an equally illiberal and self-destructive regime in Israel. You cannot claim to defend democracy in one breath and embrace an authoritarian partner in the next. As demonstrated in November, many voters also saw through this rank hypocrisy, yet elderly Democratic leaders like Steny Hoyer seem to have learned absolutely nothing. This poorly-timed and tone-deaf trip to Israel is emblematic of why so many voters have lost faith in the Democratic Party.”“I am a proud American Jew. I have many friends in Israel, including several making aliyah this year. I am the grandson of Holocaust survivors; some of my family settled in Israel after the war. I have supported aid efforts for Israeli first responders since the October 7th attacks. I am well versed in Israel’s history and culture, and I have heard firsthand from Israelis who have fought Hamas in a complex urban environment. I have no illusions about the difficulty of the task Israel faces or the murderous intentions of Hamas and other radical Islamist groups. My concern is with the actions of the current Israeli government that has failed to bring hostages home, intentionally starved Palestinian civilians, and deliberately prolonged the war to keep Netanyahu’s fragile coalition government in power and Netanyahu himself out of his corruption trial. Before October 7th, it was Netanyahu’s own government that not only fractured Israeli society, but also allowed Hamas to entrench itself in Gaza to deliberately fracture Palestinian opposition. These cynical strategies collapsed in the worst way possible on October 7th, with horrific consequences. Anyone calling themselves ‘pro-Israel’ must confront the fact that Netanyahu’s alliance with right-wing extremists has resulted in thousands of Israeli casualties and burned through 75 years of international goodwill and hard-fought acceptance in a matter of months. The Israeli government’s actions have also fueled antisemitic violence and intimidation around the world and here in the United States, directly threatening 250,000 Jews here in Maryland, myself included. Steny Hoyer’s continued support of this criminal government spits directly in the face of the Jewish values I was raised with.”“Hoyer has not held regular in-person town halls in our district here in Maryland for over five years. His district office serving my community in Anne Arundel County isn’t even located within the district. Instead of engaging with the people he’s supposed to serve, he’s taking his 22nd trip to Israel alongside far-right Republicans. We deserve an explanation, and we also deserve to know if he plans to seek an unprecedented 24th term in office, by the end of which he would be nearly 90 years old.”“My decision to challenge Steny Hoyer is not about any one issue, but about a long train of abuses and usurpations. Voters have lost trust in the Democratic Party because of representatives like Steny Hoyer, who put their own legacies and personal agendas ahead of the needs of their communities. If Democrats are going to rebuild that trust, we must start by holding ourselves accountable. That begins with Steny Hoyer stepping aside and making room for new leadership that will put our district first, uphold democratic values consistently, and fight against fascism both at home and abroad.”

I am outraged that Steny Hoyer is leading a clandestine delegation of Democratic members of Congress without disclosing any information to the press or constituents. His secrecy is evidence of a guilty conscience. Steny knows what he is doing is wrong and unpopular, so he is deliberately hiding information about this trip. Even the Republicans who are on their own trip to Israel weren’t so cowardly.

Statement from Harry Jarin on Steny Hoyer's Secret Trip

Edgewater, MD — Rep. Steny Hoyer, 86, has announced that he will not seek reelection after the current term, capping off a nearly six-decade career in elected office.Harry Jarin, 36, Democratic candidate in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, issued the following statement in response to Hoyer’s retirement: “I want to thank Steny Hoyer for his many decades of service to Maryland. At the height of his career, Hoyer was a fierce and staunch advocate for Marylanders in Congress. His service deserves respect, and I acknowledge the role he played in shaping an earlier era of the Democratic Party.My campaign has never been just about one politician’s age, but rather about how Democrats have failed to advance a vision of the future in which everyday Americans can see themselves. It was this failure that created the conditions for a fascist movement to take power in America. Rather than make difficult decisions, Congress surrendered much of its power to an increasingly authoritarian and out-of-control executive. As a Jewish American and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I am particularly attuned to the dangers of democratic backsliding, political violence, and the normalization of hatred through media technology, all of which are being enabled by the current administration.This announcement also comes just after the anniversary of the January 6 coup attempt. The fact that its architect was neither imprisoned nor barred from the ballot is the central reason we are where we are now. Congress failed in its constitutional duty to remove and permanently disqualify a criminal president who obstructed the peaceful transfer of power. The responsibility now falls to those of us elected to the next Congress to do what should have been done then: hold Donald Trump and all the other officials in his administration who abuse their offices for personal gain, commit crimes, or openly disregard the Constitution fully accountable under the law.As I’ve said before: when a house is on fire, you don’t send in the same people who let it spread in the first place – you send in a firefighter. We can’t afford to simply replace Steny Hoyer with one of his staffers, a career politician who operates identically, or a lobbyist who puts the needs of PACs and corporations over constituents. Restoring Congress as a coequal branch of government will be the work of a generation. The choices we make in the next few years will determine whether the United States continues its slide toward authoritarianism, or whether we rebuild a functioning democracy capable of delivering for working people ahead of billionaires.While many waited on the sidelines, calculating timing and hoping to win an insider’s game of succession planning, I chose to stand up early and say plainly that the Democratic Party’s institutional complacency has failed the country. While I’m sure others will jump into this race, I look forward to continued engagement with voters across Maryland’s 5th district in the coming months on pressing issues in our lives like affordable healthcare, smart growth and housing, improving transportation networks, protecting first responders, and most of all, restoring Congress as a functional institution and sanity to our politics.”

"My campaign has never been just about one politician’s age, but rather about how Democrats have failed to advance a vision of the future in which everyday Americans can see themselves. It was this failure which created the conditions for a fascist movement to take power in America. As a Jewish American and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I am particularly attuned to the dangers of democratic backsliding, political violence, and the normalization of hatred through media technology..."

Statement from Harry Jarin on Steny Hoyer's Retirement

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Statement from Harry Jarin on Steny Hoyer's Vote for Charlie Kirk Resolution

“It’s not a question of whether Steny Hoyer was a nice person or not,” said Harry Jarin, one of five Democrats who’d lined up to face Hoyer in the coming May primary. “My point is about institutional renewal, that is the challenge before us.” Jarin made a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/29/hoyer-challenger-age-harry-jarin-00373866">national media splash</a> in June by making Hoyer’s age the focus of his campaign, saying “Marylanders don’t even realize he’s still in office” and “younger voters don’t even recognize his name.”

Steny Hoyer and the Case for Term Limits

Southern Maryland residents currently have the worst commutes in the country. I will work with Federal and state leaders to complete Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT), connecting communities in Charles County and southern PG County to the DC Metrorail system. I will also push for Federal reforms that mandate better service on MARC/Amtrak and speed up infrastructure projects in general.

Speeding Up Your Commute

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the longest-serving House Democrat, has garnered a primary challenger from a 35-year-old small business owner who is making age a key issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Harry Jarin, also a volunteer firefighter, launched his campaign on Thursday. The challenge from Jarin comes after multiple efforts from young Democrats to reform the party in the aftermath of the 2024 elections.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the longest-serving House Democrat, has garnered a primary challenger from a 35-year-old small business owner who is making age a key issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Harry Jarin, also a volunteer firefighter, launched his campaign on Thursday. The challenge from Jarin comes after multiple efforts from young Democrats to reform the party in the aftermath of the 2024 elections.

Steny Hoyer, 85, gets primary challenge from millennial making age an issue

“Our old way of doing politics, that is what created the conditions for a fascist movement to gain power in this country,” Jarin said. “The idea that we would just try to hit the reset button and reset American politics back to the way we operated 10 or 20 years ago, frankly that’s insane. We need a very different path forward.”

Hoyer departure opens scramble for his seat among Democrats long waiting in the wings

On Thursday, Sept 25, prominent Trump critic George Conway <a href="https://x.com/gtconway3d/status/1971203263929409854" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tweeted his support</a> for Harry Jarin, Democratic candidate for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.&nbsp; Jarin, 35, is a small business owner and volunteer firefighter from Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The seat has been held since 1981 by Steny Hoyer, 86, who has yet to announce whether he will seek reelection.&nbsp; Conway, founder of several anti-Trump organizations and PACs tweeted, “I support Harry. It's time for new leadership if there is ever to be effective opposition again.” The tweet includes a link to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tUKtvIS-Qk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jarin’s launch video</a> in which Jarin draws a stark contrast between himself and Hoyer. “Tired politicians like Steny can’t put up the fight that we need,” Jarin notes.This endorsement from a leading figure in the anti-Trump movement underscores the growing demand for new Democratic leadership in Congress. With a government shutdown and catastrophic Federal layoffs looming, Jarin argues that Maryland’s 5th district needs a representative who recognizes the urgency of the moment. “Republicans think they can run laps around us because our bench hasn’t even made it onto the field,” says Jarin. “The 2026 midterms are our best shot at stopping the Trump agenda, but we need leaders in Congress who can actually put up a fight. George is absolutely right that it’s time for new leadership. It’s time for Steny Hoyer to step aside.”

On Thursday, Sept 25, prominent Trump critic George Conway <a href="https://x.com/gtconway3d/status/1971203263929409854" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tweeted his support</a> for Harry Jarin, Democratic candidate for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.Conway, founder of several anti-Trump organizations and PACs tweeted, “I support Harry. It's time for new leadership if there is ever to be effective opposition again.”

“I Support Harry”: Anti-Trump Heavyweight’s Endorsement Shakes Up Democratic Primary

As a firefighter, I see too many people with a manageable health condition who can't access or afford basic healthcare. Without treatment, manageable conditions become emergencies, driving up costs for everyone and putting huge strain on first responders. Every American should be able to see a doctor on a regular basis. Universal preventative healthcare will help lower costs across the system.

Universal Preventative Healthcare

Harry Jarin rebuked Rep. Steny Hoyer for supporting a resolution that honored the late Charlie Kirk.“Steny Hoyer just voted to call Charlie Kirk a ‘patriot.’ Democrats keep finding new ways to disappoint. If I were in office, my name would not be on that resolution. Kirk’s record speaks for itself and he deserves no such honor,” <a href="https://x.com/harry_md5/status/1969183478819266608">tweeted Jarin</a> on Friday, shortly after the vote.Jarin, 35, a small business owner and volunteer firefighter, is challenging Steny Hoyer, 86, in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.“As I talk to residents in the district, many are horrified by increasing political violence, but also horrified by Democrats like Steny Hoyer honoring Charlie Kirk, who spread hate and poison for a living,” he added. “Kirk was an unapologetic racist who called the 1965 Civil Rights Act a mistake, spread dangerous conspiracy theories, and bragged about transporting hundreds of rioters to Trump’s rally on January 6. Nobody deserves to die for their political beliefs, but Kirk’s death does not redeem his vile career and shouldn’t earn him praise from the US House of Representatives. Supporting this resolution does not ‘lower the temperature’ at all, and in fact only encourages further trolling by MAGA. As usual, Democrats walked right into a Republican trap, and supporting this resolution shows how out of touch Steny is with his constituents.”Jarin warns that without bold, unapologetic leadership, Democrats will continue to lose ground and be taken advantage of by the Trump administration and their collaborators in Congress. He applauds Maryland Reps. Glenn Ivey and Kweisi Mfume for not signing on to the Kirk resolution.

“Steny Hoyer just voted to call Charlie Kirk a ‘patriot.’ Democrats keep finding new ways to disappoint. If I were in office, my name would not be on that resolution. Kirk’s record speaks for itself and he deserves no such honor,” <a href="https://x.com/harry_md5/status/1969183478819266608">tweeted Jarin</a> on Friday, shortly after the vote.“As I talk to residents in the district, many are horrified by increasing political violence, but also horrified by Democrats like Steny Hoyer honoring Charlie Kirk, who spread hate and poison for a living,” he added.

Democrats’ rock-bottom polling “has been a long time coming,” says Harry Jarin, a Democrat running in Maryland against Rep. Steny Hoyer, a former House majority leader who has been in Congress for more than four decades. Voters have become disillusioned with the party, says Mr. Jarin, because veteran Democrats like Mr. Hoyer haven’t solved problems that matter to them, such as a lack of affordable housing. Worse, he adds, many voters don’t know what the party stands for.

As Trump’s approval ratings fall, Democrats are doing even worse. Why?

Harry Jarin is a small business owner and volunteer firefighter running for Congress to replace Steny Hoyer as the representative for Maryland's 5th District.

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