Who's In the Race

Democrat Jamie Raskin and Republican Cheryl Riley won their party primaries on June 23 for Maryland's 8th U.S. House District, and the general election is set for Nov. 3. Raskin, the Democratic incumbent, won his party's June 23 primary with 92.4 percent of the vote. Riley won a four-way Republican primary with 43.8 percent of the vote.

What They Stand For

Raskin supports banning sales of military-style assault weapons, requiring universal background checks, and allowing federal research into gun violence as a public-health epidemic, according to his campaign website. He also backs addressing climate change, lowering prescription-drug and health-care costs, strengthening voting rights, and limiting foreign and corporate influence in elections. Raskin supports a single-payer health-care system, raising the minimum wage, and protecting LGBT people, women, and minorities.

Riley's platform calls for sealed borders, expanded domestic energy production to create jobs and lower costs, and parents' rights in education. She describes herself as a constitutionalist conservative.

The Money Behind the Race

Outside spending in the race totals $4,155, all of it directed toward the Democratic candidate, as of Oct. 2. Every dollar recorded has been spent in support of a candidate.

Records show the NEA Advocacy Fund had a total of $3,971 across two entries. The Unity & Justice Fund has spent $174. Sierra Club Independent Action reported spending $10, according to the cited record.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rate the race "Solid Democratic," as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29, and Sept. 17, respectively.

Prediction market Kalshi puts the Democratic candidate's probability of winning at 95.8 percent, with the Republican at 4.2 percent, as of Oct. 2.

Raskin carried the district with 80.2 percent in 2022 and 76.8 percent in 2024. Democratic candidates were the winners in eight races, and a Republican candidate was the winner in one, according to the aggregated winner records. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Maryland with 62.6 percent of the vote.

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