Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
U.S. Representative · Congressional District 5 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
A U.S. Representative serves as your district's voice in Congress, where they vote on federal laws, national budgets, and policies that impact daily life. They are responsible for securing federal funding for local infrastructure and helping residents resolve issues with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs. This office matters because it ensures your community’s specific needs and priorities are represented in the national government.
View all candidates in this raceJerry Lightfoot is a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Representative in Maryland District 5. He is a husband and father of four children, raised in the Bronx as the son of a Trinidadian immigrant. His background includes military service with the U.S. Army from 2006-2019, including deployments to Afghanistan, followed by work as a Drug Program Specialist at the Department of the Interior since 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Strayer University and maintains top secret/SCI clearance. Lightfoot founded The Laura Lightfoot Foundation in 2009 and has served in leadership roles with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., including chairing recruitment for New Leaders Council Maryland Chapter.
Sources: Campaign website
I am running for Congress as a Democrat because I believe government should work for everyday people—not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Too many families are struggling with rising costs, unequal access to healthcare, and an economy that leaves working people behind.
I'm running to fight for affordable healthcare, strong public schools, good-paying jobs, and the protection of our fundamental rights and freedoms.
This campaign is about restoring trust, bringing people together, and delivering real results.
Source: jerryforuscongress.com
Healthcare
Lowering healthcare costs, protecting and expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act, strengthening Medicare & Medicaid, and expanding access to quality care. Healthcare is not a privilege for some, it is a right for all.
“I'm running to fight for affordable healthcare... Healthcare has become a central campaign theme for Jerry, particularly as rising premiums and coverage losses worry many voters.”
Economic Development
Building an economy that rewards hard work, investing in communities, creating good-paying jobs, supporting workers and unions, addressing cost-of-living pressures like housing and childcare, reducing income inequality, and strengthening the middle class.
“I believe in building an economy that rewards hard work, investing in our communities... Creating good-paying jobs, supporting workers and unions, building a fair economy from the ground up.”
Education
Strong public schools with meaningful student loan relief that lowers monthly payments, fixes broken repayment programs, and expands forgiveness for those who work hard and play by the rules. Education should open doors to opportunity—not trap people in decades of debt.
“I'm running to fight for... strong public schools... Support meaningful student loan relief that lowers monthly payments, fixes broken repayment programs, and expands forgiveness for those who work hard and play by the rules.”
Public Safety
Gun safety through stricter background checks, assault weapon restrictions, and policies to reduce gun violence as part of broader public safety efforts.
“Jerry supports stricter background checks, assault weapon restrictions, and policies to reduce gun violence as part of broader public safety efforts.”
Immigration
Comprehensive immigration reform that balances secure borders with humane treatment and pathways to citizenship, alongside oversight of enforcement practices.
“Jerry advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that balances secure borders with humane treatment and pathways to citizenship, alongside oversight of enforcement practices.”
Reproductive Rights
Protecting and expanding reproductive healthcare rights, including access to abortion and maternal care.
“Protecting and expanding reproductive healthcare rights, including access to abortion and maternal care, remains a core priority.”
Housing
Investing in the construction of affordable and workforce housing, expanding housing vouchers, protecting renters from unfair practices, and helping first-time buyers build wealth through homeownership.
“Affordable housing strengthens families, stabilizes neighborhoods, and fuels economic growth. That means investing in the construction of affordable and workforce housing, expanding housing vouchers, protecting renters from unfair practices.”
Climate Change
Addressing climate change through clean energy investment, emissions reduction, and environmental justice rooted in long-term economic and public health goals.
“Addressing climate change through clean energy investment, emissions reduction, and environmental justice is a top issue for many Democratic candidates.”
Democrat Institutions
Defending voting rights, ensuring fair elections, combating gerrymandering, and safeguarding democratic norms as Democrats respond to efforts they view as undermining electoral access and accountability.
“Protecting and Strengthening Democrat Institutions Defending voting rights, ensuring fair elections, combating gerrymandering, and safeguarding democratic norms are key priorities.”
“I'm running to fight for affordable healthcare, strong public schools, good-paying jobs, and the protection of our fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Source“I'm running to fight for affordable healthcare, strong public schools, good-paying jobs, and the protection of our fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Source“I believe in building an economy that rewards hard work, investing in our communities, and treating every person with dignity and respect.”
Source“Jerry supports stricter background checks, assault weapon restrictions, and policies to reduce gun violence as part of broader public safety efforts.”
Source“Jerry advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that balances secure borders with humane treatment and pathways to citizenship, alongside oversight of enforcement practices.”
Source“Addressing climate change through clean energy investment, emissions reduction, and environmental justice is a top issue for many Democratic candidates.”
Source“Affordable housing strengthens families, stabilizes neighborhoods, and fuels economic growth. That means investing in the construction of affordable and workforce housing.”
Source