What follows is a message I received from a longtime, deeply‑connected Maryland Democrat who has watched Chris Van Hollen’s evolution for decades. Their reaction speaks to a growing frustration inside the party — not just about policy, but about selective outrage and who gets scrutinized for taking outside support and who doesn’t.
This person has seen every major statewide race since the 1980s, and when they say they’re angry, it’s not casual. It’s rooted in a pattern they believe Van Hollen has ignored for years: he never objected when he benefited from super PAC money, he never objected when Sarah Elfreth was boosted by millions in outside spending, but suddenly he’s drawing a moral line only when a Black candidate receives support.
I’m posting their full letter because it captures that sentiment better than I could summarize — and because it reflects a conversation happening quietly across Maryland Democratic circles right now.
Food for Thought
Since 2014, Chris Van Hollen has received $3,953,371 in “special interest” money from 1471 Unique Pac Contributors (Source: Open Secrets)
In 2024, AIPAC spent $4.2 million helping Sarah Elfreth against Harry Dunn. Van Hollen did not respond with a press call condemning outside money, asking to see questionnaires and telling voters to beware, as he did with Boafo.
It is widely understood that Black candidates are at a huge disadvantage in multi million dollar races without outside help, because generally Black candidates do not have a personal network of high net worth individuals to compete. Many candidates, like Boafo, are in favor of taking special interest money out of elections. Doing so would level the playing field.
With his press call, Van Hollen not only criticized Boafo, but in effect slammed his African American colleagues, Senator Alsobrooks, Congressman Ivey, Congressman Mfume, who take outside money, but never raised the issue with Elfreth during her election. Why?
Van Hollen is singling out one PAC, AIPAC, when he has clearly taken money from others. Why? AIPAC cannot be good for one candidate but bad for another. Who is he trying to help or hurt?
Tracee Wilkins is in the same camp. She is only focusing on one candidate, Adrian Boafo. Why? Barebee has not filed a House Finance Personal Disclosure report, in this race and the last time she ran. Pouring more than $3 million in personal funds into this race deserves scrutiny. Baker had to amend his FEC report because of questionable reporting. Blegay has been mixing her official events with campaign events and nothing from Tracee Wilkins. Unbiased, balance reporting? Who is she trying to help or hurt?
Through it all, Boafo has run a positive campaign, focusing on the people in the 5th Congressional District. Hence his massive number of endorsements, including Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Congressman Steny Hoyer and Governor Wes Moore. This speaks volumes.
Boafo is a dangerous candidate.
I will be voting for Austin Dyches in the primary against Sarah Elfreth because of her office's refusal to address my questions about AIPAC. Angela Alsobrooks' office has refused to answer my questions about AIPAC, so when she is on the ballot, I will vote against her unless she is willing to make changes. I voted for and like both of them, but we must stop voting for people who accept money from foreign interests who are buying our government.