The 1st district includes the entire
Eastern Shore of Maryland as well as parts of
Baltimore,
Harford and
Carroll counties. Incumbent Republican
Andrew P. Harris, who had represented the district since 2011, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of R+14.
The 2nd district includes parts of
Howard,
Harford,
Baltimore and
Anne Arundel Counties, as well as small portions of the
City of Baltimore. Incumbent Democrat
Dutch Ruppersberger, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+10. Ruppersberger considered running for
Governor of Maryland in
2014, but decided against it.[9]
The 3rd district includes parts of
Baltimore,
Howard,
Montgomery and
Anne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the
City of Baltimore. Incumbent Democrat
John Sarbanes, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 67% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+9.
The 4th district includes parts of
Prince George's,
Montgomery, and
Anne Arundel counties. Incumbent Democrat
Donna Edwards, who had represented the district since 2008, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 77% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+26.
The 5th district includes all of
Charles,
St. Mary's, and
Calvert counties, as well as portions of
Prince George's and
Anne Arundel counties. Incumbent Democrat
Steny Hoyer, the
House Minority Whip, who had represented the district since 1981, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+14.
The 6th district includes the entire
Maryland Panhandle including all of
Garrett,
Allegany and
Washington counties as well as portions of
Montgomery and
Frederick counties. Incumbent Democrat
John Delaney, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was elected with 59% of the vote in 2012 against Republican incumbent
Roscoe Bartlett, and the district had a
PVI of D+4. Delaney considered running for
Governor of Maryland in
2014, but decided against it.[12]
The 7th district includes just over half of the
City of Baltimore, most of the majority
African American sections of
Baltimore County, and the majority of
Howard County, Maryland. Incumbent Democrat
Elijah Cummings, who had represented the district since 1996, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 77% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+24.
The 8th district includes parts of
Carroll,
Frederick and
Montgomery counties. Incumbent Democrat
Chris Van Hollen, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63% of the vote in 2012, and the district had a
PVI of D+11.