Notes on Version 2, updated May 15 2026: because most candidates have called for Medicare for All, or abolishing ICE in some way, we have updated the criteria to better distinguish between their positions. “Universal Healthcare” now takes into consideration whether candidates are specific about their vision for the policy, and whether their assessment of healthcare aligns with DSA’s National Program. Additionally the “Abolish ICE” category now assesses whether or not the candidate’s stance represents true solidarity with immigrants and a decisive break from militarized border regimes, as opposed to abolishing ICE and replacing it with something similar.
The US political and economic system is failing the working class. Millions struggle with low wages, dangerous working conditions, and limited control over our own lives, all while the top one percent has gotten richer and richer. Billionaires control access to basic human needs like housing, healthcare, and education and make a profit off of them. Under his presidency, Donald Trump has weaponized Immigration and Customs Enforcement as his personal Gestapo, prolonged the genocide in Gaza, deepened the cost of living crisis, suppressed democracy, consolidated minoritarian control, and escalated US imperialism in Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela – all to benefit his clique of Epsteinite billionaires.
The shallow “resistance” of the Democratic Party leadership has rightfully frustrated many working class Americans, and it exemplifies the simple fact that they represent the same class as Trump. US imperialism, Israeli dominance, for-profit healthcare, militarized borders, and repression of democracy all benefit the capitalist class, which is why Democrats and Republicans align on these issues in many ways. It is clear that only a mass movement of the working class can resist fascism, and only a a disciplined socialist bloc in Congress can make real progress on the things that we need.
Maryland’s 5th Congressional District is one of the most relevant in the country, putting southern Marylanders in a unique position to affect national politics. After 45 years under one incumbent, there is real opportunity for change, but it also means the race is flooded with people vying for the spot. Now is the time to tell these candidates what we want and hold them accountable to the interests of the working class. Of the 20+ candidates for this seat, we chose the most likely winners and graded them on the most relevant planks of DSA’s Workers Deserve More Program.
This is a living document that was last edited on May 15, 2026. Scroll down to see the specific language from our Program, the scoring criteria, and a more specific breakdown of each candidate’s grades. You can email all 20+ candidates here, and urge them to adopt “Medicare for All,” “abolish ICE,” and “Free Palestine” to their platforms.
From DSA’s national Workers Deserve More Program:
- Abolish ICE: “Allow workers to freely migrate between countries to seek employment without restrictive immigration controls. Demilitarize the border, end all immigrant detention and deportations, immediate amnesty for all immigrants regardless of current immigration status, and provide access to jobs, labor rights, and social services to all immigrants.”
- Free Palestine: “An immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to military and economic aid, and weapons sales to Israel, respect of the authority of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and national sovereignty for the Palestinian people.”
- Universal Healthcare: “Universal healthcare with no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles. Guarantees for reproductive and gender-affirming care.”
- Working Class Democracy: “Extend full voting rights to people with criminal convictions and noncitizens and establish statehood for Washington D.C. Replace the two-party system with a multi-party democracy through proportional representation elections. Limit the Court’s power of judicial review which it uses to effectively create and abolish laws outside the legislative process. Replace the Electoral College with a national popular vote for President.”
- End the US War Machine: “Greatly reduce the U.S. military budget, close overseas bases, and bring troops home. End economic sanctions that impact the sovereignty of countries whose governments act independently of the United States, such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran.”
Specific Scoring Criteria:
Candidate Breakdown
Rushern L. Baker III – GPA: 0.6
- Abolish ICE – D: Spoken briefly about “pushing back against ICE” in videos but has not pledged written commitment to abolish ICE on website or social media. Is spearheading the call against Adrian Boafo to denounce ICE funding
- Free Palestine – F: Silent on issue
- Universal Healthcare – F: Focus on “expanding access to healthcare” with no commitment to public or universal healthcare. Rather says he will “defend and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, restore ACA tax credits, lower prescription drug prices,” etc.
- Working Class Democracy – D: nothing in platform, no record of supporting expanded voting rights etc. Record of anti-corruption and combatting “pay to play” dynamic in PG County Government
- End the US War Machine – D: Acknowledges the military pulls funding away from domestic investments. No actual stance against the US war machine. Response to invasion of Iran: “…only Congress can take this country to war.”
Quincy Bareebe – GPA: 0.4
- Abolish ICE – D: No actual voice herself. Supported Wes Moore’s prohibition of collaboration with ICE. Joined in the condemnation of Adrian Boafo taking ICE-related funding.
- Free Palestine – F: Silent on issue
- Universal Healthcare – F Focused entirely on market reform, and is directly tied to industry as the CEO of a health care related company. Has said nothing this cycle about universal healthcare or healthcare as a human right.
- Working Class Democracy – F: Silent on issue
- End the US War Machine – D: Only statements made include “Keep Pax River and Indian Head bases open to support military readiness…” and “I believe we must stop wasting resources on war and invest instead in expanding #Medicare, affordable education, and protecting working families.”
Wala Blegay – GPA: 3.0
- Abolish ICE – A Opposed ICE facilities in PG County and launched a Community Defense Against ICE Program. Openly called for the abolition of ICE. Repeatedly calls for the dignity and wellbeing of immigrants as the central reason why ICE is to be abolished. Joined in the condemnation of Adrian Boafo taking ICE-related funding
- Free Palestine – C: From campaign website: “Prioritize diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and global health,” “Support democracy and human rights worldwide” At St. Mary’s Democratic Club, said she would support sanctions and an arms embargo.
- Universal Healthcare – A: On campaign website said ““Pass universal Medicare for All with no premiums, deductibles, or surprise bills.” Also acknowledges the system is broken and that healthcare should work for people and not insurance companies.
- Working Class Democracy – B: Record of emphasizing transparency in government, and has called for overturning the Citizens United decision on both Instagram and YouTube in addition to other specific policy proposals for removing money from politics. Since the last version she has updated her website to include “automatic voter registration” in her platform.
- End the US War Machine – C: “End endless wars and repeal outdated war authorizations, Prioritize diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and global health, Reduce excessive Pentagon spending and reinvest at home.” No other firm stances other than war-power resolutions.
Adrian Boafo – GPA: 1.0
- Abolish ICE – C: Abolish ICE and pass comprehensive immigration reform to create a fair, transparent, and accountable immigration system that protects civil rights and rebuilds trust in our communities.” Calls for expanding the immigration pathway system, however he still advocates for border control and other anti-immigration policies, which does not align with the national DSA stance on immigration. Implies existence of an immigration enforcement institution when saying he wants to “prioritize real public safety threats in immigration enforcement…” Likely wants the optics of “Abolish ICE” while just reforming the institution, specifically by using technologies for whom he is a lobbyist to “secure the border by deploying advanced detection technology…”
- Free Palestine – F: Campaign website says “Strengthen the U.S.–Israel alliance.” Endorsed by Democratic Majority for Israel PAC
- Universal Healthcare – D: Acknowledges healthcare as a human right but solution is to “pass Medicare for All with a public option so that if you like your private health insurance you can keep it.” This ensures that healthcare remains a tiered system dividing those who can pay for quality healthcare from those who cannot.
- Working Class Democracy – C: website mentions ending Citizens United, strengthening voter protection laws, banning members of congress from trading stocks, and expanding voter access
- End the US War Machine – F: Pro-NATO, interventionist against China, “Strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance”, “Confront global terrorism with our allies.” Pro-War Powers Resolution.
Harry Dunn – GPA: 1.6
- Abolish ICE – A: Statements from campaign website: “Support a comprehensive overhaul of DHS’s current enforcement programs and abolish the current ICE system;” “The hell (sic) with training, that organization doesn’t need to exist anymore;” ”Ensure there is meaningful oversight and accountability for anyone that has illegally held or harmed U.S. citizens under the presumed authority of ICE;” ”Create a path to citizenship and legalization for undocumented immigrants and their families, by passing the DREAM ACT;” ”Reform the visa process and increase the number of visas allocated and ensure our process is robust and fair for all immigrants.”
- Free Palestine – F: Campaign website says “work to maintain and improve the longstanding U.S.–Israel alliance that has been in place for decades.”
- Universal Healthcare – D: Has expressed support for Medicare for all, and acknowledges that healthcare is a human right and that the system is broken, but his subsequent focus on the ACA makes this seem noncommittal.
- Working Class Democracy – B: Added policy positions since last version, including overturning Citizens United, specific legislation to protect voting rights, remove barriers to voting, and prevent voter intimidation. Supports campaign finance reform and limiting the power of the Executive Branch. Founded “Democracy Defenders PAC” which supports expanding the voting rights act, banning members of congress from trading stocks, guardrails for crypto trading
- End the US War Machine – F: No acknowledgement of the need to reduce US military supremacy or fight the military-industrial complex. Only statement: “…I agree with the bipartisan call from Rep Massie and Khanna Congress must vote on their War Powers Resolution…”
Arthur Ellis – GPA: 0.2
- Abolish ICE – F: No publicly available stance
- Free Palestine – F: No publicly available stance
- Universal Healthcare – F: Silent, and has a poor track record where actually putting funding behind medical initiatives is concerned in the state senate
- Working Class Democracy – D: No public stances. pushed for local election boards to be based on the party affiliations of the counties, rather than of the governor. Very vocally in favor of gerrymandering.
- End the US War Machine F: No publicly available stance.
Harry Jarin – GPA: 1.8
- Abolish ICE – B: posted a video to social media about signing a pledge to Abolish ICE. Signed a pledge to abolish ICE. Advocates for policies that respect the dignity of all immigrants. Has centered the conditions of how immigrants are being treated. Joined in the condemnation of Adrian Boafo taking ICE-related funding.
- Free Palestine – D: Prior to campaign, wrote article for tepidly acknowledging Israel overreaction in Gaza and allowing space for criticism of Israel (but he is still an apparent zionist).
- Universal Healthcare – D: Platform on website calls for “universal preventative healthcare” (emphasis ours). Explicit limitation prevents a higher score, as does his lack of a definition of “preventative” or description of how this delineation plays out.
- Working Class Democracy – C: Supports increasing congressional oversight of the executive branch, banning insider trading, and increasing reporting requirements.
- End the US War Machine – C: “It’s time to spend our tax dollars on something other than wars in the Middle East.” Acknowledgment of “boomerang” shows recognition of US imperialism as a problem: “I really thought it was all hyperbole back in the Bush administration that the War on Terror would eventually boomerang on us. Yet here we are, with the military on the streets, and you and I as the terrorists.”
Leigha Messick* – GPA: 3.4
- Abolish ICE – A: Specific platform plank. Campaign website says “Abolish ICE. End the terrorization of immigrant communities. We need a humane, just immigration system.” Strong advocate for protections of immigrants and has been going to ICE hearings at the capital to protest deportations.
- Free Palestine – A: Specific platform plank. Campaign website says “Free Palestine. End the occupation. End the apartheid. Stand for human rights and self-determination for the Palestinian people.” Additionally it says “An end to military and economic aid, and weapons sales to Israel” and a call to “Respect the authority of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.” On Instagram has said “I’ll never take a dime from AIPAC, or any of its dark money PACs. And, once I’m in DC, they can expect a no on votes from me.”
- Universal Healthcare – C: Specific platform plank: “Medicare for All isn’t a slogan; it’s a necessity. No more dying because you can’t afford a doctor.” However, there is no description of what form this would take, healthcare as a human right, or the necessity to remove capitalism from healthcare.
- Working Class Democracy – B: lacking detailed policy ideas but website mentions ending the filibuster, protecting voter rights, no corporate PAC money, ending congress insider trading, and implementing term limits.
- End the US War Machine – A: “Stop sending billions of our tax dollars to fund conflicts abroad. We need that money here, for our communities.” “End the endless wars. Stop funding military-industrial complexes. Lead with diplomacy, not drones.” Has added additional policy recommendations as well as acknowledging “war as a business model” and the need to “[strip] the profit motive out of global conflict.”
Dave Sundberg – GPA: 0.8
- Abolish ICE – D: Campaign website says “We must also reform ICE, ensuring it operates as a professional, accountable law enforcement agency…” as well as “We need an immigration system that reflects our values: protecting public safety, promoting our economy, and creating clear, fair pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals who contribute to our communities.” Does heavily acknowledge the humanity and essential nature of immigrants and immigration, but has a very strict approach and still wants an immigration law enforcement institution.
- Free Palestine – F: “Supporting Israel’s security while advancing a two-state solution that delivers lasting peace and self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis.” This approach is a formula for continued Israeli dominance in the region – especially given the emphasis on “Israel’s security,” which likely means “defensive” systems like the Iron Dome which allow Israel to continue to antagonize its neighbors without fear of reprisal.
- Universal Healthcare – D: Acknowledges system is broken but steps to fix it focus on expanding the Affordable Care Act.
- Working Class Democracy – D: Emphasizes need to reign in the power of the Executive branch. No mention of money in politics, judicial review, expanding voting rights, or abolishing the electoral college.
- End the US War Machine – D: Emphasis on peace and law. Recognition that money spent on war could be spent on healthcare. Expresses strong support for NATO and that the US should have strong standing in the world – implying continued military dominance. No acknowledgement of military industrial complex, imperialism, or scaling back military.
*Disclaimer: while Leigha Messick is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, the chapter is not endorsing any candidate for this office. Her platform was developed independently.
Southern Maryland DSA 