Adrian Boafo Explained

Adrian Boafo
State Delegate:Maryland
District:23rd
Term Start:January 11, 2023
Alongside:Marvin E. Holmes Jr. and Kym Taylor
Predecessor:Geraldine Valentino-Smith
Constituency:Bowie, Maryland
Order2:Mayor pro tempore of Bowie, Maryland
Term Start2:November 18, 2019
Term End2:January 11, 2023
Predecessor2:Henri Gardner
Successor2:Roxy Ndebumadu
Birth Name:Adrian Boafo
Birth Date:10 May 1994
Birth Place:Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Residence:Bowie, Maryland, U.S.
Education:University of Baltimore (BA)
American University (MBA)
Website:Campaign website

Adrian A. Boafo (born May 10, 1994) is an American politician. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 23 in Prince George's County, Maryland. He previously served as the Vice Mayor and District 3 council member for the City of Bowie from 2019 to 2022.[1]

Background

Boafo graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in 2012. He later attended the University of Baltimore, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and public policy in 2016, and American University, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree in 2019. After graduating, Boafo worked as a national press assistant for U.S. Representative Ruben Kihuen. He later served as the campaign manager for House Majority leader Steny Hoyer from 2018 to 2021.[2]

Bowie mayor pro-tempore

Election

Boafo filed to run for District 3 of the Bowie city council on May 8, 2019, challenging incumbent council member Darian Senn-Carter.[3] Boafo won election to the Bowie city council on November 6, 2019, with 34.8 percent of the vote.[4] Soon after, the council selected him to serve as the city's youngest mayor pro tempore, succeeding at-large council member Henri Gardner.[5] While working for the Bowie city council, Boafo also worked as a federal lobbyist for the Oracle Corporation.

Tenure

Development initiatives

In May 2020, Boafo voted to stop construction and cancel the city's contract to build a new ice rink, instead opting to build an indoor courts facility.[6] In July 2020, Boafo voted against cancel public-private partnership proposals to repair and operate Bowie's city-operated ice rink. After the city council voted to reject the proposals, it created a task force for the amenity.[7] The task force unveiled its recommendations on January 19, 2021.[8]

In January 2021, Boafo voted against a bill to support a preliminary plan for the Bowie's Mill Branch Crossing development.[9]

In June 2021, Boafo introduced a bill to provide city residents with a rebate of up to $50 to install a new water filtration system. The City Council unanimously voted to pass the initiative.[10] Later that month, the United States House Committee on Appropriations' Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee approved a $2 million request from the city to replace one mile of a tuberculated cast iron water main.[11]

Social issues

In 2019, Boafo included a budget line item in the city's budget to reimburse Bowie residents for installing outdoor cameras. In November 2020, Boafo and the Bowie Police Department launched a program to provide rebates up to $50 for residents who purchase and install a home security camera.[12]

In June 2020, Boafo attended a vigil to honor George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor at Allen Pond Park in Bowie.[13]

Statewide politics

In 2022, Boafo issued a statement asking for a correction from Bowie mayor Tim Adams after he included Boafo on his list of endorsements in the 2022 Maryland Comptroller election, saying that despite having a "great working relationship with Mayor Adams, there was no communication or confirmation in advance of the endorsement."[14] Boafo later endorsed state delegate Brooke Lierman for Comptroller of Maryland.[15] He also endorsed author and former nonprofit CEO Wes Moore for Governor of Maryland.[16]

In the legislature

Tenure

Boafo announced he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 23 on February 25, 2022. His campaign was endorsed by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.[17] He won the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022, placing second with 14.4 percent of the vote. Boafo was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 11, 2023.[18] He was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.[19]

Committee assignments

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Members – Delegate Adrian Boafo . mgaleg.maryland.gov . . January 11, 2023 . January 11, 2023.
  2. News: Pacella . Rachael . Economic development, tech will be focus for incoming Bowie council . August 3, 2022 . . November 14, 2019.
  3. News: Pacella . Rachael . First candidates file for election in Bowie . August 3, 2022 . . May 8, 2019.
  4. News: Pacella . Rachael . Bowie to have new leadership in first black mayor, women return to the council . August 3, 2022 . . November 6, 2019.
  5. News: Alfaro . Carlos . Bowie swears in first African American mayor . August 3, 2022 . PG Sentinel . November 22, 2019.
  6. News: Pacella . Rachael . Bowie City Council cancels new ice arena to instead build indoor basketball courts . August 3, 2022 . . May 20, 2020.
  7. News: Pacella . Rachael . Bowie council rejects public-private proposals, creates ice rink task force . August 3, 2022 . . July 8, 2020.
  8. News: Conaway . Donovan . Bowie Ice Arena Task Force unveils Ice Arena recommendations, includes HVAC renovation and a second sheet of ice . August 3, 2022 . . January 19, 2021.
  9. News: Conaway . Donovan . After hours of discussion, Bowie council doesn't support or reject preliminary plan for hotel, multifamily development off U.S. 301 . August 3, 2022 . . January 5, 2021.
  10. News: Conaway . Donovan . Bowie council passes water rebate initiative; city offers $100 city employee COVID vaccine incentive . August 3, 2022 . . June 9, 2021.
  11. News: Conaway . Donovan . Bowie's $2 million request to replace corroded cast iron water main approved by House subcommittee . August 3, 2022 . . June 30, 2021.
  12. News: Conaway . Donovan . Bowie police announce security camera rebate program . August 3, 2022 . . November 25, 2020.
  13. News: Pacella . Rachael . Bowie holds vigil for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery . August 3, 2022 . . June 6, 2020.
  14. News: Leckrone . Bennett . In Rocky Release, Adams Announces Endorsements in Comptroller Race . August 3, 2022 . . March 17, 2022.
  15. News: Gaines . Danielle . Adams, Lierman Describe Visions for Comptroller's Office at Tuesday Evening Forum . August 3, 2022 . . June 1, 2022.
  16. News: Byrne . Deirdre . Hockaday . Natalie . Miller . Larry . Prince George's County Executive makes surprise gubernatorial endorsement for Wes Moore . August 3, 2022 . . March 5, 2022.
  17. News: Gaines . Danielle . Kurtz . Josh . Political Notes: Delegate Seeks Apology, Drama in District 23, a New Hoyer Foe, Harden's National Security Play, and More . August 3, 2022 . . February 25, 2022.
  18. Web site: Adrian A. Boafo, Maryland State Delegate . Maryland Manual On-Line . Maryland State Archives . August 6, 2023 . January 26, 2023.
  19. News: Kurtz . Josh . Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention . July 22, 2024 . . July 22, 2024.
  20. News: Gaines . Danielle E. . Jones announces new Democratic caucus, committee leaders for 2023 General Assembly session . January 5, 2023 . . January 5, 2023.