Who's In the Race

Maryland's 7th Congressional District seat is open for 2026, paving the way for a face off between Democratic incumbent Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) and Republican challenger Scott Collier in the Nov. 3 general election. ​

Mfume is a longtime Maryland congressman who previously left the House in 1996 to lead the NAACP as its president and CEO before returning to Congress. He won the Democratic primary on June 23 over a field of five candidates. Collier is the founder of DundalkTV and the Global Brain Injury Association, and describes himself as a businessman, photographer and documentarian whose professional background includes structural steel painting and home-improvement work. Collier ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

What They Stand For

Mfume serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, as well as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Recently, Mfume has voted in favor of the passage of the Retire through Ownership Act, which is designed to protect Employee Stock Ownership Plans, and the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes projects and programs administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Collier has proposed working with District 7 residents to address crime, gangs, education problems and drug abuse, according to his campaign website. Collier also pledges to "put an end" to food deserts in local communities, as well as "fight to restore peace in the Middle East and also in Ukraine."

The Money Behind the Race

Mfume had taken in about $415,000 in total receipts and held about $703,000 in cash on hand as of June 30. Federal Election Commission filings show no receipts on record for Collier.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 94.53% chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Mfume carried the district with about 82% of the vote in 2022 and about 80% in 2024. In 2024, Democrats won seven of Maryland's eight U.S. House seats, and Democrat Kamala Harris carried Maryland in the 2024 presidential election with about 63% of the vote.

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