Steny Hoyer: Difference between revisions

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| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Politician, attorney
| occupation = Politician, attorney
| known_for = U.S. Representative from Maryland's 5th congressional district; House Majority Leader (2007–2011, 2019–2023)
| known_for = U.S. Representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district; House Majority Leader (2007–2011, 2019–2023)
| title = Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 5th congressional district
| title = Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 5th district
| awards =  
| awards =  
| website = [https://hoyer.house.gov hoyer.house.gov]
| website = [https://hoyer.house.gov/ hoyer.house.gov]
}}
}}


'''Steny Hamilton Hoyer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|ɛ|n|i|ˈ|h|ɔɪ|ər}}; born June 14, 1939) is an American politician and retired attorney who has served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Maryland's 5th congressional district]] since 1981, making him the longest-serving Democrat in the House of Representatives. Born in New York City but raised in Maryland, Hoyer rose through the ranks of Democratic politics over a career spanning nearly six decades of elected office. He served twice as [[House Majority Leader]] — from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023 — and twice as [[House Minority Whip]] from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2019, functioning throughout as the second-ranking Democrat in the House behind [[Nancy Pelosi]].<ref name="apretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Hoyer laments House 'is not living up to the Founders' goals' as he tells colleagues he's retiring |url=https://apnews.com/article/steny-hoyer-retire-house-longest-serving-democrat-1913615a4dd55be5fa5d726b5894233f |work=AP News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> First elected in a 1981 special election to succeed [[Gladys Spellman]], Hoyer has represented a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C., and is the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation. On January 7, 2026, Hoyer announced that he would not seek a 24th term in office, bringing to a close one of the most consequential congressional careers in modern American history.<ref name="nytretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer, Longest-Serving House Democrat, to Retire From Congress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/politics/hoyer-house-democrat-retire-congress.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Steny Hamilton Hoyer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|ɛ|n|i|ˈ|h|ɔɪ|ər}}; born June 14, 1939) is an American politician and retired attorney who has served as the [[U.S. representative]] for [[Maryland's 5th congressional district]] since 1981. The longest-serving Democrat currently in the [[United States House of Representatives]], Hoyer has been a central figure in Democratic Party leadership for decades, serving twice as [[House Majority Leader]] — from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023 — and twice as [[House Minority Whip]] from 2003 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2019.<ref name="apretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Hoyer laments House 'is not living up to the Founders' goals' as he tells colleagues he's retiring |url=https://apnews.com/article/steny-hoyer-retire-house-longest-serving-democrat-1913615a4dd55be5fa5d726b5894233f |work=AP News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Throughout his more than four decades in Congress, he has been the second-ranking Democrat in the House behind [[Nancy Pelosi]] from 2003 to 2023. First elected in a 1981 special election to succeed [[Gladys Spellman]], Hoyer represents a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C., and serves as the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation. On January 7, 2026, Hoyer announced that he would not seek a 24th term in that year's election, bringing to a close a political career spanning nearly six decades in elected office.<ref name="wapo">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retire-congress/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Steny Hamilton Hoyer was born on June 14, 1939, in New York City.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=About Steny Hoyer |url=http://democraticleader.house.gov/about_the_whip/about_steny_hoyer/bio.cfm |publisher=Office of the Democratic Whip |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He was raised in Maryland, where he would build his political career over the following decades. His district, Maryland's 5th congressional district, encompasses a broad area of suburban and rural communities southeast of Washington, D.C., a region whose political and demographic character shaped much of Hoyer's legislative focus throughout his career.
Steny Hamilton Hoyer was born on June 14, 1939, in New York City.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=About Steny Hoyer |url=http://democraticleader.house.gov/about_the_whip/about_steny_hoyer/bio.cfm |publisher=Office of the Democratic Whip |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Despite his birth in New York, Hoyer grew up in Maryland, where he would build the entirety of his political career. His upbringing in the suburban communities of the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area shaped his connection to the region he would go on to represent for more than four decades in Congress.


Details regarding Hoyer's parents and upbringing remain limited in public records, though genealogical research traces his family roots in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steny Hoyer genealogy |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/hoyer.htm |publisher=RootsWeb |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Hoyer grew up in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, an environment that provided early exposure to the workings of the federal government and the political culture of the nation's capital. This proximity to the seat of American governance would prove formative in his decision to pursue a career in public service.
Hoyer's family background included roots in both New York and Maryland. He was raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, which would later form part of the congressional district he represented. His early years in the Maryland suburbs instilled in him an understanding of the concerns of the suburban and rural communities that constituted his political base.<ref name="genealogy">{{cite web |title=Steny Hoyer |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/hoyer.htm |publisher=Rootsweb |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Political Career ===
=== Early Political Career ===


Before entering the U.S. House of Representatives, Hoyer served in the Maryland State Senate, where he gained experience in state-level governance and built relationships within the Democratic Party that would support his later rise to national prominence.<ref name="bio" /> His years in state politics provided a foundation in legislative procedure and constituent service that he carried into his congressional career.
Before entering the U.S. House of Representatives, Hoyer established himself in Maryland state politics. He served in the [[Maryland State Senate]], where he gained experience in legislative politics and developed the relationships and political networks that would sustain his long career in public service. His time in the state legislature provided a foundation for his later role as a congressional leader, as he learned the art of coalition-building and legislative negotiation at the state level.<ref name="bio" />


=== Election to Congress ===
=== Election to Congress ===


Hoyer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a 1981 special election to fill the seat left vacant by [[Gladys Spellman]], who had been incapacitated by a heart attack and was subsequently declared unable to serve.<ref name="bio" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Race Detail: MD-05 Special Election 1981 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=113038 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Hoyer won the special election and took office on May 19, 1981, beginning what would become one of the longest tenures in the history of the House of Representatives.
Hoyer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election held on May 19, 1981, to fill the seat left vacant by Representative [[Gladys Spellman]], who had been incapacitated by a cardiac arrest in 1980.<ref name="ourcampaigns1981">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 - Special Election Race - May 19, 1981 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=113038 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Hoyer won the special election to represent Maryland's 5th congressional district, beginning what would become one of the longest tenures in the history of the House of Representatives. He was subsequently re-elected in the 1982 general election and in every subsequent election cycle through 2024.<ref name="ourcampaigns82">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 Race |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27954 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ourcampaignscandidate">{{cite web |title=Steny Hoyer - Candidate Detail |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1199 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


From the outset, Hoyer established himself as a dependable Democratic voice in Congress, consistently winning re-election by comfortable margins. Election records document his successive victories in the 5th district across multiple decades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Race Detail: MD-05 General Election |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27954 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Race Detail: MD-05 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27957 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Race Detail: MD-05 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27958 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Race Detail: MD-05 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27962 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His electoral durability allowed him to accumulate seniority and institutional knowledge that became central to his effectiveness as a legislator and party leader.
Maryland's 5th congressional district encompasses a large area of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C., including portions of Prince George's County, Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary's County, and parts of Anne Arundel County. The district's proximity to the nation's capital means a significant portion of its residents are federal employees or government contractors, an issue that has shaped much of Hoyer's legislative agenda over the years.<ref name="bio" />


=== Rise in Democratic Leadership ===
=== Rise in Democratic Leadership ===


Hoyer's ascent through the ranks of the House Democratic leadership began in the late 1980s. He served as Vice Chair of the [[House Democratic Caucus]] from January 3, 1989, to June 21, 1989, succeeding [[Mary Rose Oakar]] in the position under Speaker [[Jim Wright]].<ref name="bio" /> When the chairmanship became available later that year, Hoyer moved up to serve as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from June 21, 1989, to January 3, 1995, succeeding [[Bill Gray]] and serving under Speaker [[Tom Foley]].<ref name="bio" /> In this role, Hoyer was responsible for organizing caucus activities, coordinating messaging among Democratic members, and helping shape the party's legislative agenda during a period that included significant domestic policy debates.
Hoyer's ascent through the ranks of the Democratic leadership in the House was a decades-long process marked by both steady advancement and competitive internal party elections. His first formal leadership role came in 1989, when he was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus under Speaker [[Jim Wright]], a position he held briefly from January 3 to June 21, 1989.<ref name="bio" /> He then served as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from June 21, 1989, to January 3, 1995, under Speaker [[Tom Foley]].<ref name="bio" />


The Republican takeover of the House in the 1994 elections ended Hoyer's tenure as caucus chair, and he was succeeded by [[Vic Fazio]]. However, Hoyer continued to build influence within the Democratic conference and positioned himself for higher leadership roles.
The Democratic loss of the House majority in the 1994 Republican Revolution temporarily halted Hoyer's upward trajectory in the leadership, but he remained an influential figure within the caucus during the years in the minority.


=== House Minority Whip (2003–2007) ===
In 2001, when Nancy Pelosi was elected House Minority Whip, the stage was set for what would become a long-running partnership — and occasional rivalry — between the two Democrats. When Pelosi ascended to the position of House Minority Leader following the 2002 elections, Hoyer was elected House Minority Whip on January 3, 2003, making him the second-ranking Democrat in the House. He served in this capacity from 2003 to 2007.<ref name="bio" />


When Nancy Pelosi was elected House Minority Leader in 2002, Hoyer won the position of House Minority Whip, serving in that capacity from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2007.<ref name="bio" /> As minority whip, Hoyer was responsible for counting votes, ensuring party discipline on key legislative matters, and serving as the second-ranking Democrat in the House. He succeeded Pelosi herself in the whip position, and his selection established the Pelosi-Hoyer partnership that would define Democratic House leadership for two decades.
=== House Majority Leader: First Term (2007–2011) ===


During this period, Hoyer played a significant role in coordinating Democratic opposition to various policy initiatives of the [[George W. Bush]] administration and in building the coalition that would lead to the Democratic takeover of the House in the 2006 midterm elections.<ref>{{cite news |date=2006-11-08 |title=Congress' new leader |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/congress.new.leader/ |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Following the Democratic victory in the 2006 midterm elections, which returned the party to the majority in the House, Hoyer was elected House Majority Leader, serving under Speaker Nancy Pelosi.<ref name="cnn2006">{{cite news |date=2006-11-08 |title=Democrats claim Congress |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/congress.new.leader/ |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He held this position from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2011, succeeding Republican [[John Boehner]], who had previously held the position.


=== House Majority Leader (2007–2011) ===
As Majority Leader, Hoyer was responsible for managing the floor schedule of the House, coordinating the legislative agenda, and serving as the primary liaison between the Speaker and the Democratic caucus. During this period, the House passed significant legislation on a range of issues, including economic recovery measures, healthcare reform, and financial regulation.


Following the Democrats' victory in the 2006 midterm elections, Pelosi became [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]], and Hoyer was elevated to House Majority Leader, serving from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2011. He succeeded Republican [[John Boehner]] in the position.<ref name="bio" /> As majority leader, Hoyer was responsible for managing the House floor schedule, advancing the Democratic legislative agenda, and serving as a key liaison between the House leadership and individual members.
One notable area of Hoyer's activity during this period involved the debate over telecommunications immunity in the context of warrantless wiretapping. In 2007, Hoyer expressed strong opposition to granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that had participated in the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program.<ref name="tpm">{{cite web |title=Steny Hoyer Says Some Strong Words Against Telecom Immunity |url=http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/10/steny_hoyer_says_some_strong_words_against_telecom_immunity.php |publisher=Talking Points Memo |date=2007-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="democrats">{{cite web |title=Wiretapping: Impeachment, Not Immunity |url=http://democrats.com/wiretapping-impeachment-not-immunity |publisher=Democrats.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


During the 110th and 111th Congresses, Hoyer helped shepherd major legislation through the House, working alongside Speaker Pelosi and Whip [[Jim Clyburn]]. The period was marked by significant legislative activity, including responses to the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008|financial crisis]] and the passage of major domestic policy initiatives.
=== Return to Minority: House Minority Whip (2011–2019) ===


One area where Hoyer took a notable public stance was on the question of telecommunications immunity in the context of warrantless wiretapping. In October 2007, Hoyer expressed opposition to granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that had participated in the Bush administration's surveillance programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steny Hoyer Says Some Strong Words Against Telecom Immunity |url=http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/10/steny_hoyer_says_some_strong_words_against_telecom_immunity.php |publisher=TPM Election Central |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The issue became a significant point of debate within the Democratic caucus and between Congress and the executive branch.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wiretapping: Impeachment, Not Immunity |url=http://democrats.com/wiretapping-impeachment-not-immunity |publisher=Democrats.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The 2010 midterm elections brought significant losses for Democrats, who lost control of the House in a wave election that saw the [[Tea Party movement]] propel Republicans to a commanding majority.<ref name="pelosi2010">{{cite news |date=2010-11-03 |title=Nancy Pelosi has no regrets following midterm rout |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/03/nancy-pelosi-has-no-regrets-following-midterm-rout/ |work=Politics Daily |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In the aftermath of the election, questions arose about the future of the Democratic leadership team.


=== Return to Minority Whip (2011–2019) ===
Despite the election losses, Pelosi chose to remain as the leader of the House Democrats, moving from Speaker to Minority Leader. This decision created a question about the structure of the leadership beneath her. Hoyer, who had served as Majority Leader, accepted the position of House Minority Whip rather than challenge Pelosi for the top spot.<ref name="usatoday2010">{{cite news |date=2010-11 |title=Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, Democratic leadership |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/steny-hoyer-james-clyburn-democratic-leadership-/1 |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="wapopost2010">{{cite news |date=2010-11 |title=Hire Hoyer |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/11/hire_hoyer.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The transition also involved negotiations with [[Jim Clyburn]] of South Carolina, the third-ranking Democrat, who was given a newly created title of Assistant Leader to preserve his role in the leadership structure.


The Republican wave in the 2010 midterm elections cost Democrats their House majority, and Hoyer transitioned from majority leader back to minority whip on January 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |date=2010-11-03 |title=Nancy Pelosi Has No Regrets Following Midterm Rout |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/03/nancy-pelosi-has-no-regrets-following-midterm-rout/ |work=Politics Daily |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The transition required a reshuffling of the Democratic leadership structure, with Pelosi remaining as minority leader and Hoyer and Clyburn negotiating their respective roles.<ref>{{cite news |date=2010-11 |title=Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, Democratic leadership |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/steny-hoyer-james-clyburn-democratic-leadership-/1 |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2010-11 |title=Hire Hoyer |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/11/hire_hoyer.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Hoyer served as House Minority Whip from January 3, 2011, to January 3, 2019. In this role, he was responsible for counting votes, ensuring party discipline, and coordinating Democratic strategy during a period when the party was in the minority. During these years, Democrats were largely in a defensive posture, working to block Republican legislative priorities they opposed while trying to find areas of bipartisan cooperation.


Hoyer served as minority whip for eight years, from 2011 to 2019, during which time Democrats were in the minority in the House. In this role, he continued to serve as the second-ranking Democrat, working to maintain party unity and coordinate opposition to Republican legislative priorities. He succeeded [[Eric Cantor]] as whip (Cantor having held the majority whip position, which converted to minority whip upon the Democratic loss of the majority) and was himself eventually succeeded by [[Steve Scalise]].
=== House Majority Leader: Second Term (2019–2023) ===


=== Second Term as Majority Leader (2019–2023) ===
The 2018 midterm elections returned Democrats to the majority in the House, and Hoyer was once again elevated to the position of House Majority Leader, serving under Speaker Pelosi with [[Jim Clyburn]] as Majority Whip. His second tenure as Majority Leader, from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023, coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in recent American political history, encompassing the first and second impeachments of President [[Donald Trump]], the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and the [[2021 United States Capitol attack|January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol]].


The 2018 midterm elections returned Democrats to the majority, and Hoyer resumed his position as House Majority Leader on January 3, 2019, with Pelosi returning as Speaker and Clyburn serving as majority whip. He succeeded Republican [[Kevin McCarthy]] in the role.<ref name="bio" /> This second stint as majority leader saw Hoyer managing the House floor during a period of intense political polarization, including the [[impeachment of Donald Trump|impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump]], the legislative response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and the passage of significant infrastructure and social spending legislation.
As Majority Leader during this period, Hoyer played a central role in managing the House floor and advancing the Democratic legislative agenda, which included pandemic relief legislation, infrastructure investment, and other domestic policy priorities.


Hoyer's management of the House floor during this period was characterized by his attention to procedural detail and his ability to maintain working relationships across the Democratic caucus, which encompassed a broad ideological spectrum from progressive to moderate members.
=== Step Back from Leadership and Final Terms ===


=== Stepping Back from Leadership ===
In November 2022, following the midterm elections in which Democrats lost their House majority, Hoyer announced that he, along with Pelosi, would not seek a leadership position in the 118th Congress.<ref name="apretire" /> This decision marked the end of an era in Democratic politics, as the Pelosi-Hoyer-Clyburn leadership team that had guided the party for two decades stepped aside to make way for a new generation of leaders, with [[Hakeem Jeffries]] of New York elected as the new Democratic leader.


In November 2022, following the midterm elections in which Democrats lost their House majority, Hoyer announced that he would not seek a leadership position in the 118th Congress, a decision made in tandem with Pelosi's similar announcement.<ref name="apretire" /> The joint decision marked the end of an era in House Democratic leadership, as Hoyer, Pelosi, and Clyburn had together led the caucus for two decades. A new generation of leaders, including [[Hakeem Jeffries]], assumed the top Democratic positions in the House.
Hoyer continued to serve in Congress as a rank-and-file member, representing Maryland's 5th district. He was re-elected in 2024, beginning his 23rd full term in the House. As the longest-serving Democrat in the House, he continued to serve as the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation.<ref name="nbcretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving Democrat in the House, to retire |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/steny-hoyer-majority-leader-pelosi-deputy-retire-congress-rcna252970 |work=NBC News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Despite stepping back from leadership, Hoyer continued to serve as the representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district and remained the most senior Democrat in the House as well as the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation. He was re-elected in 2024, beginning his 23rd term in January 2025.<ref name="apretire" />
=== Retirement Announcement ===


=== Retirement Announcement ===
On January 7, 2026, at the age of 86, Hoyer announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026, bringing to an end a career in elected office that spanned nearly six decades.<ref name="nytretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer, Longest-Serving House Democrat, to Retire From Congress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/politics/hoyer-house-democrat-retire-congress.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In remarks to colleagues, Hoyer lamented that the House "is not living up to the Founders' goals," reflecting on the state of the institution to which he had devoted the bulk of his professional life.<ref name="apretire" />


On January 7, 2026, Hoyer announced that he would not seek a 24th term in the 2026 elections, bringing his nearly six-decade career in elected office to a planned close at the end of his current term.<ref name="nytretire" /><ref name="nbcretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving Democrat in the House, to retire |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/steny-hoyer-majority-leader-pelosi-deputy-retire-congress-rcna252970 |work=NBC News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In remarks to colleagues, Hoyer expressed concern that the House "is not living up to the Founders' goals," a sentiment that reflected his decades of institutional commitment to the legislative process.<ref name="apretire" />
The announcement of Hoyer's retirement triggered immediate interest in the race to succeed him. The open seat in Maryland's 5th congressional district, considered safely Democratic, attracted a crowded primary field. Among the candidates who announced bids was David Sundberg, a former senior FBI official who had led the Washington Field Office and was subsequently removed under the Trump administration.<ref name="nytfbi">{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Former F.B.I. Official, Ousted Under Trump, Will Run for Congress in Maryland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/former-fbi-official-congress-maryland.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="nbcfbi">{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Ex-FBI official fired under Trump announces run for Congress in Maryland |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-fired-ex-fbi-official-david-sundberg-run-congress-steny-hoyer-rcna260228 |work=NBC News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="wmarfbi">{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Ex-FBI supervisor forced out by Trump looks to replace Steny Hoyer in Congress |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/news/region/anne-arundel-county/ex-fbi-supervisor-forced-out-by-trump-looks-to-replace-steny-hoyer-in-congress |work=WMAR 2 News Baltimore |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The Associated Press described Hoyer as "the longest-serving Democrat in Congress and once a rival to become House speaker," underscoring both his longevity and the competitive dynamics that characterized his relationship with Pelosi over the years.<ref name="apretire" /> The Washington Post reported that his retirement would end "a nearly six-decade career in elected office" spanning his time in the Maryland State Senate through his service in the House.<ref name="waporetire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retire-congress/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Politico noted that Hoyer, then 86 years old, had "remained circumspect about his plans to run for re-election" before the announcement, and that his decision came as "numerous senior Democrats are facing primaries."<ref name="politicoretire">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer set to announce retirement from Congress |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retirement-00715790 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The retirement announcement also came amid a broader trend of senior Democrats facing primaries and reassessing their futures in Congress, as a generational shift continued to reshape the party's composition in the House.<ref name="politico">{{cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Steny Hoyer set to announce retirement from Congress |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retirement-00715790 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


His retirement announcement triggered a competitive Democratic primary for the open seat. By February 2026, multiple candidates had entered the race, including David Sundberg, a former senior FBI official who had been ousted under the Trump administration and announced his candidacy for the 5th district seat.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-23 |title=Former F.B.I. Official, Ousted Under Trump, Will Run for Congress in Maryland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/former-fbi-official-congress-maryland.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Ex-FBI official fired under Trump announces run for Congress in Maryland |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-fired-ex-fbi-official-david-sundberg-run-congress-steny-hoyer-rcna260228 |work=NBC News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
== Legislative Priorities ==


=== Legislative Interests and Advocacy ===
Throughout his career, Hoyer focused on a range of legislative issues with particular emphasis on those affecting his district and the broader federal workforce. Given that Maryland's 5th congressional district includes many federal employees and government contractors due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., Hoyer was a consistent advocate for federal worker pay and benefits.<ref name="bio" />


Throughout his career, Hoyer was involved in a range of legislative and advocacy efforts. He was an advocate for epilepsy research funding, working with the [[Epilepsy Foundation]] to support federal appropriations for research and treatment programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Epilepsy Foundation Appropriations |url=http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsyusa/appropriations.cfm?renderforprint=1& |publisher=Epilepsy Foundation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Epilepsy Foundation Press Release |url=http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/pressroom/n031502a.cfm |publisher=Epilepsy Foundation |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also supported early childhood education initiatives, including the Judy Center program in Maryland, which provides comprehensive services to young children and their families.<ref>{{cite web |title=Judy Center |url=http://www.judycenter.com/ |publisher=Judy Center |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Hoyer was also involved in advocacy related to epilepsy research and awareness. He supported increased appropriations for epilepsy research and worked with the [[Epilepsy Foundation]] on related legislative efforts.<ref name="epilepsy1">{{cite web |title=Epilepsy Foundation - Appropriations |url=http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsyusa/appropriations.cfm?renderforprint=1& |publisher=Epilepsy Foundation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="epilepsy2">{{cite web |title=Epilepsy Foundation Press Room |url=http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/pressroom/n031502a.cfm |publisher=Epilepsy Foundation |date=2002-03-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


As a representative of a district adjacent to Washington, D.C., Hoyer maintained a focus on issues affecting federal employees and the federal workforce, a constituency that comprised a significant portion of his district's population. He also championed economic development in Southern Maryland, working to attract defense and technology sector investments to the region.
Additionally, Hoyer supported early childhood education initiatives, including the Judy Center program in Maryland, which provides comprehensive services for young children and their families.<ref name="judycenter">{{cite web |title=Judy Center |url=http://www.judycenter.com/ |publisher=Judy Center |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Hoyer's late wife, Judith Pickett Hoyer, was an advocate for early childhood education. The Judy Center early childhood education initiative in Maryland bears her name, reflecting the couple's shared commitment to education policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Judy Center |url=http://www.judycenter.com/ |publisher=Judy Center |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Judith Hoyer's advocacy work influenced Hoyer's own legislative priorities in the area of education and children's services.
Hoyer has lived in Maryland throughout his adult life, maintaining deep ties to the communities he represents. His personal life has been marked by his commitment to public service and his long tenure representing the residents of Maryland's 5th congressional district.


Hoyer has maintained his residence in Maryland's 5th congressional district throughout his tenure in office, maintaining close ties to the communities he has represented for more than four decades.
Hoyer's career in elected office spanned nearly six decades, encompassing his service in the Maryland State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon his retirement announcement in January 2026, the ''Washington Post'' described his career as "storied," noting that it had spanned from his earliest days in Maryland politics through his rise to the second-highest position in the House Democratic leadership.<ref name="wapo" />


== Recognition ==
== Legacy ==
 
Hoyer's long tenure and leadership roles earned him recognition as one of the most influential members of the House of Representatives in the modern era. As the longest-serving Democrat in the House at the time of his retirement announcement, he held a unique position as an institutional figure within the chamber.<ref name="apretire" />


His career was marked by his service in multiple leadership capacities: Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (1989), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (1989–1995), House Minority Whip (2003–2007, 2011–2019), and House Majority Leader (2007–2011, 2019–2023). This breadth of leadership experience was unusual in the House and reflected both his political skill and his durability as a representative.
Steny Hoyer's career in the House of Representatives represents one of the longest and most consequential tenures in the history of the institution. His more than four decades in Congress — from his initial special election victory in 1981 to his anticipated departure in January 2027 — made him the longest-serving Democrat in the House at the time of his retirement announcement.<ref name="apretire" /><ref name="nytretire" />


Major news organizations consistently identified Hoyer as a central figure in House Democratic politics. The New York Times described him as having "served as one of his party's top leaders" over the course of his career.<ref name="nytretire" /> The Associated Press characterized him as having been "once a rival to become House speaker," a reference to the long-standing competitive dynamic between Hoyer and Pelosi that nonetheless resulted in a productive and enduring partnership.<ref name="apretire" />
Hoyer's legacy is defined in large part by his role as the enduring partner and occasional rival of Nancy Pelosi in the House Democratic leadership. For two decades, from 2003 to 2023, the Pelosi-Hoyer partnership was the defining feature of Democratic leadership in the House, with Hoyer serving as either Majority Leader or Minority Whip depending on the party's fortunes in elections. The pair, along with Jim Clyburn as the third-ranking Democrat, formed a leadership triumvirate that guided the Democratic caucus through periods of both majority and minority status, through economic crises, impeachment proceedings, a global pandemic, and an attack on the Capitol itself.
 
== Legacy ==


Steny Hoyer's legacy in American politics is defined by his extraordinary longevity in office and his role as a linchpin of House Democratic leadership during a transformative period in American governance. From his first election in 1981 through his planned retirement at the end of his current term, Hoyer served in the House for more than 45 years, participating in some of the most significant legislative debates of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
His decision to step aside from leadership after the 2022 elections, along with Pelosi and Clyburn, facilitated a generational transition in the House Democratic caucus, clearing the way for Hakeem Jeffries to become the party's leader. In his retirement announcement in 2026, Hoyer expressed concern about the direction of the House as an institution, telling colleagues that the chamber "is not living up to the Founders' goals."<ref name="apretire" />


His partnership with Nancy Pelosi, which endured from 2003 to 2023 despite underlying tensions and competition for the speakership, was one of the defining features of Democratic leadership in the House during that era. The Pelosi-Hoyer-Clyburn leadership team guided Democrats through periods of both majority and minority status, managing the caucus through partisan divisions, major legislative fights, presidential impeachment proceedings, and a global pandemic.
The race to succeed Hoyer in Maryland's 5th congressional district underscored the significance of his departure. The open seat immediately attracted a crowded field of candidates, reflecting both the district's importance and the large shoes left to fill by one of Congress's most experienced legislators.<ref name="nytfbi" /><ref name="politico" />


Hoyer's approach to governance was characterized by an emphasis on institutional process and bipartisan negotiation, even as the political environment grew increasingly polarized. His remarks upon announcing his retirement — lamenting that the House "is not living up to the Founders' goals" — reflected a deep attachment to the institution and its traditions that had defined his career.<ref name="apretire" />
== Electoral History ==


The competitive primary that emerged following his retirement announcement illustrated the significance of the seat he held and the challenge facing any successor in representing the diverse suburban and rural communities of Maryland's 5th district.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Ex-FBI supervisor forced out by Trump looks to replace Steny Hoyer in Congress |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/news/region/anne-arundel-county/ex-fbi-supervisor-forced-out-by-trump-looks-to-replace-steny-hoyer-in-congress |work=WMAR 2 News Baltimore |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As the Washington Post noted, his departure marked the end of "a nearly six-decade career in elected office," a span of public service that few American politicians have matched.<ref name="waporetire" />
Hoyer first won his seat in the May 19, 1981, special election to succeed Gladys Spellman.<ref name="ourcampaigns1981" /> He was subsequently re-elected in every general election from 1982 through 2024, typically winning by comfortable margins in the reliably Democratic district.<ref name="ourcampaigns82" /><ref name="ourcampaignscandidate" /><ref name="ourcampaigns86">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 Race - 1986 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27957 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ourcampaigns88">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 Race - 1988 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27958 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ourcampaigns92">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 Race - 1992 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27962 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ourcampaigns02">{{cite web |title=MD District 05 Race - 2002 |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=439802 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Maryland state senators]]
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[[Category:People from New York City]]
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[[Category:People from Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Prince George's County, Maryland]]
[[Category:House Majority Leaders of the United States]]
[[Category:House Majority Leaders of the United States]]
[[Category:American attorneys]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]

Latest revision as of 17:18, 24 February 2026



Steny Hoyer
BornSteny Hamilton Hoyer
14 6, 1939
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, attorney
TitleMember of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 5th district
Known forU.S. Representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district; House Majority Leader (2007–2011, 2019–2023)
Website[hoyer.house.gov Official site]

Steny Hamilton Hoyer (Template:IPAc-en; born June 14, 1939) is an American politician and retired attorney who has served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district since 1981. The longest-serving Democrat currently in the United States House of Representatives, Hoyer has been a central figure in Democratic Party leadership for decades, serving twice as House Majority Leader — from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023 — and twice as House Minority Whip from 2003 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2019.[1] Throughout his more than four decades in Congress, he has been the second-ranking Democrat in the House behind Nancy Pelosi from 2003 to 2023. First elected in a 1981 special election to succeed Gladys Spellman, Hoyer represents a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C., and serves as the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation. On January 7, 2026, Hoyer announced that he would not seek a 24th term in that year's election, bringing to a close a political career spanning nearly six decades in elected office.[2]

Early Life

Steny Hamilton Hoyer was born on June 14, 1939, in New York City.[3] Despite his birth in New York, Hoyer grew up in Maryland, where he would build the entirety of his political career. His upbringing in the suburban communities of the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area shaped his connection to the region he would go on to represent for more than four decades in Congress.

Hoyer's family background included roots in both New York and Maryland. He was raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, which would later form part of the congressional district he represented. His early years in the Maryland suburbs instilled in him an understanding of the concerns of the suburban and rural communities that constituted his political base.[4]

Career

Early Political Career

Before entering the U.S. House of Representatives, Hoyer established himself in Maryland state politics. He served in the Maryland State Senate, where he gained experience in legislative politics and developed the relationships and political networks that would sustain his long career in public service. His time in the state legislature provided a foundation for his later role as a congressional leader, as he learned the art of coalition-building and legislative negotiation at the state level.[3]

Election to Congress

Hoyer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election held on May 19, 1981, to fill the seat left vacant by Representative Gladys Spellman, who had been incapacitated by a cardiac arrest in 1980.[5] Hoyer won the special election to represent Maryland's 5th congressional district, beginning what would become one of the longest tenures in the history of the House of Representatives. He was subsequently re-elected in the 1982 general election and in every subsequent election cycle through 2024.[6][7]

Maryland's 5th congressional district encompasses a large area of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C., including portions of Prince George's County, Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary's County, and parts of Anne Arundel County. The district's proximity to the nation's capital means a significant portion of its residents are federal employees or government contractors, an issue that has shaped much of Hoyer's legislative agenda over the years.[3]

Rise in Democratic Leadership

Hoyer's ascent through the ranks of the Democratic leadership in the House was a decades-long process marked by both steady advancement and competitive internal party elections. His first formal leadership role came in 1989, when he was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus under Speaker Jim Wright, a position he held briefly from January 3 to June 21, 1989.[3] He then served as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from June 21, 1989, to January 3, 1995, under Speaker Tom Foley.[3]

The Democratic loss of the House majority in the 1994 Republican Revolution temporarily halted Hoyer's upward trajectory in the leadership, but he remained an influential figure within the caucus during the years in the minority.

In 2001, when Nancy Pelosi was elected House Minority Whip, the stage was set for what would become a long-running partnership — and occasional rivalry — between the two Democrats. When Pelosi ascended to the position of House Minority Leader following the 2002 elections, Hoyer was elected House Minority Whip on January 3, 2003, making him the second-ranking Democrat in the House. He served in this capacity from 2003 to 2007.[3]

House Majority Leader: First Term (2007–2011)

Following the Democratic victory in the 2006 midterm elections, which returned the party to the majority in the House, Hoyer was elected House Majority Leader, serving under Speaker Nancy Pelosi.[8] He held this position from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2011, succeeding Republican John Boehner, who had previously held the position.

As Majority Leader, Hoyer was responsible for managing the floor schedule of the House, coordinating the legislative agenda, and serving as the primary liaison between the Speaker and the Democratic caucus. During this period, the House passed significant legislation on a range of issues, including economic recovery measures, healthcare reform, and financial regulation.

One notable area of Hoyer's activity during this period involved the debate over telecommunications immunity in the context of warrantless wiretapping. In 2007, Hoyer expressed strong opposition to granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that had participated in the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program.[9][10]

Return to Minority: House Minority Whip (2011–2019)

The 2010 midterm elections brought significant losses for Democrats, who lost control of the House in a wave election that saw the Tea Party movement propel Republicans to a commanding majority.[11] In the aftermath of the election, questions arose about the future of the Democratic leadership team.

Despite the election losses, Pelosi chose to remain as the leader of the House Democrats, moving from Speaker to Minority Leader. This decision created a question about the structure of the leadership beneath her. Hoyer, who had served as Majority Leader, accepted the position of House Minority Whip rather than challenge Pelosi for the top spot.[12][13] The transition also involved negotiations with Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking Democrat, who was given a newly created title of Assistant Leader to preserve his role in the leadership structure.

Hoyer served as House Minority Whip from January 3, 2011, to January 3, 2019. In this role, he was responsible for counting votes, ensuring party discipline, and coordinating Democratic strategy during a period when the party was in the minority. During these years, Democrats were largely in a defensive posture, working to block Republican legislative priorities they opposed while trying to find areas of bipartisan cooperation.

House Majority Leader: Second Term (2019–2023)

The 2018 midterm elections returned Democrats to the majority in the House, and Hoyer was once again elevated to the position of House Majority Leader, serving under Speaker Pelosi with Jim Clyburn as Majority Whip. His second tenure as Majority Leader, from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023, coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in recent American political history, encompassing the first and second impeachments of President Donald Trump, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

As Majority Leader during this period, Hoyer played a central role in managing the House floor and advancing the Democratic legislative agenda, which included pandemic relief legislation, infrastructure investment, and other domestic policy priorities.

Step Back from Leadership and Final Terms

In November 2022, following the midterm elections in which Democrats lost their House majority, Hoyer announced that he, along with Pelosi, would not seek a leadership position in the 118th Congress.[1] This decision marked the end of an era in Democratic politics, as the Pelosi-Hoyer-Clyburn leadership team that had guided the party for two decades stepped aside to make way for a new generation of leaders, with Hakeem Jeffries of New York elected as the new Democratic leader.

Hoyer continued to serve in Congress as a rank-and-file member, representing Maryland's 5th district. He was re-elected in 2024, beginning his 23rd full term in the House. As the longest-serving Democrat in the House, he continued to serve as the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation.[14]

Retirement Announcement

On January 7, 2026, at the age of 86, Hoyer announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026, bringing to an end a career in elected office that spanned nearly six decades.[15] In remarks to colleagues, Hoyer lamented that the House "is not living up to the Founders' goals," reflecting on the state of the institution to which he had devoted the bulk of his professional life.[1]

The announcement of Hoyer's retirement triggered immediate interest in the race to succeed him. The open seat in Maryland's 5th congressional district, considered safely Democratic, attracted a crowded primary field. Among the candidates who announced bids was David Sundberg, a former senior FBI official who had led the Washington Field Office and was subsequently removed under the Trump administration.[16][17][18]

The retirement announcement also came amid a broader trend of senior Democrats facing primaries and reassessing their futures in Congress, as a generational shift continued to reshape the party's composition in the House.[19]

Legislative Priorities

Throughout his career, Hoyer focused on a range of legislative issues with particular emphasis on those affecting his district and the broader federal workforce. Given that Maryland's 5th congressional district includes many federal employees and government contractors due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., Hoyer was a consistent advocate for federal worker pay and benefits.[3]

Hoyer was also involved in advocacy related to epilepsy research and awareness. He supported increased appropriations for epilepsy research and worked with the Epilepsy Foundation on related legislative efforts.[20][21]

Additionally, Hoyer supported early childhood education initiatives, including the Judy Center program in Maryland, which provides comprehensive services for young children and their families.[22]

Personal Life

Hoyer has lived in Maryland throughout his adult life, maintaining deep ties to the communities he represents. His personal life has been marked by his commitment to public service and his long tenure representing the residents of Maryland's 5th congressional district.

Hoyer's career in elected office spanned nearly six decades, encompassing his service in the Maryland State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon his retirement announcement in January 2026, the Washington Post described his career as "storied," noting that it had spanned from his earliest days in Maryland politics through his rise to the second-highest position in the House Democratic leadership.[2]

Legacy

Steny Hoyer's career in the House of Representatives represents one of the longest and most consequential tenures in the history of the institution. His more than four decades in Congress — from his initial special election victory in 1981 to his anticipated departure in January 2027 — made him the longest-serving Democrat in the House at the time of his retirement announcement.[1][15]

Hoyer's legacy is defined in large part by his role as the enduring partner and occasional rival of Nancy Pelosi in the House Democratic leadership. For two decades, from 2003 to 2023, the Pelosi-Hoyer partnership was the defining feature of Democratic leadership in the House, with Hoyer serving as either Majority Leader or Minority Whip depending on the party's fortunes in elections. The pair, along with Jim Clyburn as the third-ranking Democrat, formed a leadership triumvirate that guided the Democratic caucus through periods of both majority and minority status, through economic crises, impeachment proceedings, a global pandemic, and an attack on the Capitol itself.

His decision to step aside from leadership after the 2022 elections, along with Pelosi and Clyburn, facilitated a generational transition in the House Democratic caucus, clearing the way for Hakeem Jeffries to become the party's leader. In his retirement announcement in 2026, Hoyer expressed concern about the direction of the House as an institution, telling colleagues that the chamber "is not living up to the Founders' goals."[1]

The race to succeed Hoyer in Maryland's 5th congressional district underscored the significance of his departure. The open seat immediately attracted a crowded field of candidates, reflecting both the district's importance and the large shoes left to fill by one of Congress's most experienced legislators.[16][19]

Electoral History

Hoyer first won his seat in the May 19, 1981, special election to succeed Gladys Spellman.[5] He was subsequently re-elected in every general election from 1982 through 2024, typically winning by comfortable margins in the reliably Democratic district.[6][7][23][24][25][26]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Hoyer laments House 'is not living up to the Founders' goals' as he tells colleagues he's retiring".AP News.2026-01-07.https://apnews.com/article/steny-hoyer-retire-house-longest-serving-democrat-1913615a4dd55be5fa5d726b5894233f.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office".The Washington Post.2026-01-07.https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retire-congress/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "About Steny Hoyer".Office of the Democratic Whip.http://democraticleader.house.gov/about_the_whip/about_steny_hoyer/bio.cfm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Steny Hoyer".Rootsweb.http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/hoyer.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "MD District 05 - Special Election Race - May 19, 1981".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=113038.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "MD District 05 Race".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27954.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Steny Hoyer - Candidate Detail".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1199.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Democrats claim Congress".CNN.2006-11-08.http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/congress.new.leader/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Steny Hoyer Says Some Strong Words Against Telecom Immunity".Talking Points Memo.2007-10.http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/10/steny_hoyer_says_some_strong_words_against_telecom_immunity.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Wiretapping: Impeachment, Not Immunity".Democrats.com.http://democrats.com/wiretapping-impeachment-not-immunity.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Nancy Pelosi has no regrets following midterm rout".Politics Daily.2010-11-03.http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/03/nancy-pelosi-has-no-regrets-following-midterm-rout/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, Democratic leadership".USA Today.2010-11.http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/steny-hoyer-james-clyburn-democratic-leadership-/1.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Hire Hoyer".The Washington Post.2010-11.http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/11/hire_hoyer.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving Democrat in the House, to retire".NBC News.2026-01-07.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/steny-hoyer-majority-leader-pelosi-deputy-retire-congress-rcna252970.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Steny Hoyer, Longest-Serving House Democrat, to Retire From Congress".The New York Times.2026-01-07.https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/politics/hoyer-house-democrat-retire-congress.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Former F.B.I. Official, Ousted Under Trump, Will Run for Congress in Maryland".The New York Times.2026-02-23.https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/former-fbi-official-congress-maryland.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Ex-FBI official fired under Trump announces run for Congress in Maryland".NBC News.2026-02-23.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-fired-ex-fbi-official-david-sundberg-run-congress-steny-hoyer-rcna260228.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Ex-FBI supervisor forced out by Trump looks to replace Steny Hoyer in Congress".WMAR 2 News Baltimore.2026-02-24.https://www.wmar2news.com/news/region/anne-arundel-county/ex-fbi-supervisor-forced-out-by-trump-looks-to-replace-steny-hoyer-in-congress.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Steny Hoyer set to announce retirement from Congress".Politico.2026-01-07.https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/07/steny-hoyer-retirement-00715790.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Epilepsy Foundation - Appropriations".Epilepsy Foundation.http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsyusa/appropriations.cfm?renderforprint=1&.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Epilepsy Foundation Press Room".Epilepsy Foundation.2002-03-15.http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/pressroom/n031502a.cfm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Judy Center".Judy Center.http://www.judycenter.com/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "MD District 05 Race - 1986".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27957.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "MD District 05 Race - 1988".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27958.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "MD District 05 Race - 1992".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27962.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "MD District 05 Race - 2002".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=439802.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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