Congressional District 6 candidate Peter Choharis drops out, endorses McClain Delaney

Third Democratic candidate to offer endorsement after dropping out of May 14 primary election

May 3, 2024 2:40 p.m.

Maryland Congressional District 6 candidate Peter Choharis (D) dropped out of the race and endorsed fellow Democrat April McClain Delaney (D) on the first day of early voting in the May 14 primary election, according to a Thursday video and news release.

“While I am thrilled by all the progress we’ve made over the last few months and all the momentum we are gaining, I also understand that we do not have enough runway to win the nomination in May,” Choharis said. “And that is why I want to devote my time and energy to help Democrats … by keeping Maryland blue.”

Choharis, a lawyer who lives in Potomac, is the third candidate to have ended his campaign to endorse McClain Delaney. Fellow Democrats Geoffrey Grammer and Joel Rubin dropped out of the race and voiced their support for McClain Delaney in March.

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McClain Delaney, a Potomac resident, resigned in October as deputy assistant secretary for communications and information in the U.S. Commerce Department before announcing her campaign. Prior to joining the Biden administration, she was the Washington, D.C. director of Common Sense Media, an advocacy group that focuses on online safety and the impact of television on children’s health and well-being.

“April is someone who has shown she will use her experience and skills to help people. She has been a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and had an important role serving in the Biden Administration. She has run a positive campaign and has always been friendly, open, and honest with me,” Choharis said.  “Because of these reasons, I am not only endorsing April, I will be working hard to help her, and other Democrats across Maryland and the United States, win this election.”

Choharis’ support comes a week after McClain Delaney was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 8).

Among the crowded field of other candidates beside McClain Delaney remaining in the primary for the Democratic nomination are: environmentalist George Gluck, former Obama administration official Ashwani Jain, state Del. Lesley Lopez (D-Dist. 39), Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez, Montgomery County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles (D-At-large), state Del. Joe Vogel (D-Dist. 17), union representative Kiambo White and former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official Destiny Drake West.

On the Republican side, former state delegate and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox, retired Maryland State Trooper Chris Hyser, former state delegate Neil Parrott, Air Force veteran Mariela Roca, Air Force veteran Tom Royals and former state delegate and former teacher Brenda Thiam are all seeking the nomination.

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The 6th District seat was held for six years by McClain Delaney’s husband, Democrat John Delaney, a multimillionaire businessman who won following an upset primary victory in 2012. Delaney relinquished the seat in 2018 to undertake an unsuccessful campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Early voting runs through May 9. To find voting centers and for more information on the 6th District candidates running in the primary election, check out the MoCo360 Voters Guide.

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