Rep. Kweisi Mfume took a major step towards re-election to Congress Tuesday, as he easily won renomination in the Democratic Party’s primary for the 7th district.
Mfume, who is seeking his ninth term in Congress, turned back a challenge from Baltimore City Councilman Mark S. Conway Jr. (D-4th), leading handily in ballots cast in person Tuesday, as well as those cast by mail and in early voting.
Mfume, a Morgan State graduate and chair of the university’s Board of Regents, will face Republican Scott Collier in November’s general election.
With registration figures heavily favoring Democrats in the district, which includes Morgan and large portions of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Mfume is a heavy favorite to be re-elected.
Conway, who is 38, had been thought to be a serious challenger to Mfume, 77, insinuating during the campaign that the incumbent’s age was a detriment.
However, Mfume, a former national NAACP president who serves as ranking member of the House’s subcommittees on government operations and on military and foreign affairs, spun his experience as a positive for the district.
“Everybody knows me. They know where I am on issues. They know they can count on me over and over again,” Mfume told WJZ television.
Mfume was endorsed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who easily won renomination in his Democratic primary race, turning back Eric Felber.
Moore will face Republican Dan Cox in November’s general election, setting up a rematch of the 2022 election, which Moore won handily. Cox defeated Baltimore businessman Ed Hale, who switched parties to run for governor.
