Democrat April McClain Delaney Wins Hotly Contested Race for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District

GAITHERSBURG, Md – Democrat April McClain Delaney, a former Biden’s administration Department of Commerce official, narrowly defeated former State Delegate Republican Neil Parrott in the race for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, one of the most competitive races in the nation.

Due to the razor-thin margin, the race wasn’t called until four days after Election Day. Last Saturday night, the Associated Press called the race after McClain Delaney declared her victory the day before. Parrott has not conceded and is still rallying volunteers to observe the continued counting of vote-by-mail ballots.

The tightly contested race for Maryland's 6th Congressional District garnered national attention, with prominent politicians from both major parties rallying in support of their candidates. The seat was seen as one of the most crucial in determining control of the House majority. Yet, even as the outcome of this race came into focus, the question of which party would ultimately prevail remained unresolved.

In a statement, McClain Delaney said “I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the people of Maryland’s 6th District have placed in me.” She reiterated her campaign slogan, “common sense, common ground” and her commitment to “putting people over politics.” McClain Delaney also expressed gratitude to every volunteer, voter, and supporter “who has put their faith in our vision.”

Maryland’s 6th Congressional District encompasses an extensive stretch of rural Maryland alongside the affluent, progressive suburbs of Washington, D.C. While Asian American voters constitute less than 10% of the district’s population, they form a pivotal voting bloc in areas such as Montgomery County’s Upcounty, where they comprise nearly 20% of the population.

Both McClain Delaney and Parrott touted their commitments to Asian American voters during their campaigns.

In an exclusive interview with Yuan Media, McClain Delaney pledged to prioritize outreach to Asian American constituents if elected, highlighting the valuable contributions of Asian American communities to the district. Parrott, drawing on his experience as a state delegate, conveyed his understanding of key issues facing the Asian American communities, including equity in admissions to prestigious schools and the tax burden on small businesses. While they differed on approaches to handling illegal immigration, both candidates expressed support for streamlining the legal immigration process, which most Asian Americans have navigated.

Many Asian American voters are attentive to the newly elected Congresswoman’s stance on reviving the China Initiative, a U.S. Department of Justice program aimed at prosecuting suspected Chinese spies in American research and industry to counter economic espionage during the last Trump’s administration. In early September, the House passed a bill to reinstate the program. Given that many Asian Americans in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District work in scientific research and academia, they have expressed concerns that reviving the China Initiative could have adverse effects on Asian American communities as a whole.

McClain Delaney said she would probably not vote against the bill if she were currently serving in the House, citing national security concerns. Parrott, on the other hand, expressed limited knowledge of the bill and simply said that no one should be prosecuted without solid evidence.

McClain Delaney’s stance on the China Initiative surprised some of her Asian American supporters. However, others, like Xiaolu Wang, a Chinese American and a mathematician in the financial consulting industry, expressed understanding, saying that McClain Delaney might reconsider her position if she were informed of the extensive negative impact a racially profiled bill could have on Asian American communities. Wang encouraged more Asian Americans to speak up and inform the Congresswoman-elect about the hardships they've endured under the shadow of the China Initiative.

Elizabeth Chung, another Chinese American and the executive director of Asian American Center of Frederick, said McClain Delaney’s stance on the China Initiative didn’t impact her favorability toward her, as she trusted McClain Delaney's common sense.

Elizabeth Chung, a Chinese American and the executive director of Asian American of Frederick, is holding McClain Delaney's sign to show her support. Photo by: Pingping Yin

“She will look at each situation individually. She will also support her constituents,” said Chung, who noted that issues like education, senior services, and healthcare access are the most important concerns for her fellow Asian Marylanders. She also expressed confidence in McClain Delaney’s commitment to economic development and protecting the immigrant communities. “I know that she meant well. I know that she's from her heart,” Chung added.

Congressional races in Maryland rarely attract national attention like this one. However, the importance of the contest between McClain Delaney and Parrott was reflected in the high-profile figures who accompanied the candidates in their last-minute efforts to rally votes.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appeared at a polling place with McClain Denaley in Clarksburg on Election Day to show his support. Less than 24 hours earlier, he had joined her at an Irish bar in Frederick County to rally votes, where House Minority Whip Rep. Katherine Clark also campaigned on McClain Delaney's behalf.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore(front row, middle) appears at a polling place with McClain Denaley in Clarksburg on Election Day to show his support. Photo by: Pingping Yin

Rep. Clark stated that this seat would be pivotal for Democrats in regaining the House majority and helping House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries secure the role of House Speaker. “You get to elect April Delaney to make sure that we have a majority, that actually Jeffries is holding that speaker gavel on January, ” Clark rallied the audiences crowded the bar.

On the last day of October, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith, along with several other Congressmen from across the nation, visited western Maryland to voice their support for Parrott.

On the last day of October, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise(front row) and several other Republican Congressmen from across the nation, visit western Maryland to voice their support for Parrott. Photo by: Pingping Yin

Rep. Scalise ranked the race among the top five most critical, saying, “This race is so important to the future direction of the United States in Congress.” He referenced a Republican agenda for the first 100 days and said, “We need the right leaders to join us, and Neil Parrott is one of those leaders that we really need on our team.”

The race was too close to call on Election Night. By the end of the following day, only a bit over 300 votes out of 320,000 cast separated McClain Delaney and Parrott—a difference of less than 0.1%. However, as mail-in ballots were counted, a clearer outcome emerged. Currently, with an estimated 95% of votes counted, McClain Delaney holds a lead of around 5%. Although Parrott has not yet conceded, McClain Delaney appears set to represent Maryland’s 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C., beginning next year.

However, it remains uncertain whether McClain Delaney’s victory will contribute to a Democratic House majority. Neither party has reached the 218-seat majority threshold yet, with Republicans needing only five more seats and Democrats requiring 13.