Maryland Democrats are choosing their U.S. House nominees in a handful of consequential and contentious primaries. The primaries in the left-leaning East Coast state have an outsize impact, in many cases determining who is likely to win in heavily partisan districts this fall.

Retirement of Rep. Steny Hoyer

Seven of Maryland’s eight congressional districts are represented by Democrats, and one by a Republican. The retirement of longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer has attracted big spending and some familiar names to the most-watched Democratic primaries.

Among them is Harry Dunn, a former police officer who defended the U.S. Capitol from the January 6 protests. He is running for Hoyer’s seat on a platform that includes protecting democracy.

Primary Challenges

Some races became proxy fights about how Democrats should behave in the current political climate. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson faces a tough primary challenge for the first time in years from a progressive who criticized his decision to block a midcycle redistricting attempt.

The lead-up to Election Day has had some hiccups. Last month, the State Board of Elections had to resend mail-in ballots to some voters in the closed primary after a vendor error caused some to receive a ballot for the wrong party.

Gubernatorial Primary

Rising party star Wes Moore seeks a second term as governor, while Republican voters hope to return the state to GOP leadership by picking a candidate they think can unseat him. Nine candidates ranging from a Trump acolyte to a former Democrat are vying for the chance to stop Moore from being reelected.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.