Hoyer sweeps Bailey in 5th District

Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

Despite spending hardly any time campaigning in the district, routs have become the norm for the 14-term incumbent from Mechanicsville.

Tuesday was no different, as Hoyer (D-Md., 5th) trounced Republican challenger Collins A. Bailey, receiving mandates throughout the 5th Congressional District, according to preliminary returns. The district includes all three jurisdictions in Southern Maryland and portions of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties.

With all but a handful of precincts reporting, Hoyer held a commanding 73 to 25 percent lead. Libertarian candidate Darlene Nicholas received 2 percent of the vote.

"Looking ahead, I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to forge solutions to the challenges that face us: strengthening our economy, creating jobs, ending our dependence on foreign oil, and securing our nation," Hoyer said in a statement released by his campaign.

In Charles County, Hoyer coasted past Bailey 71 to 27 percent. The tallies were closer in St. Mary's and Calvert counties, with Hoyer winning 62 to 36 percent and 60 to 37 percent in each county, respectively.

With the convincing win, Hoyer, 69, ran his streak to six consecutive elections of receiving at least 65 percent of the vote. He has only twice registered less than 60 percent of the vote, back in 1994 and 1996.

Record-low Congressional approval ratings have not hurt Hoyer, who was elected House Majority Leader in 2006 and is highly regarded in Southern Maryland for his advocacy of the region's military installations and his success in delivering federal aid for key transportation projects.

The defeat left Bailey, 54, disappointed, but not distraught given that some people predicted he would not even get 20 percent of the vote.

"I think the people we were able to talk to and see and shake the hands of, we were able to get our message out," he said on Wednesday morning. "We just didn't do it to 400,000 people and that's what needed to be done."

One independent voter said she chose Bailey because he would have brought a fresh voice to Washington.

"I'm sort of tired of Steny Hoyer's policies and I think it's time for a change," said Phyllis Pierce, 66, who cast her ballot at Sunderland Elementary School.