Rep. Donna Edwards’ announcement on Tuesday that she will seek the seat of retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski is already roiling Democrats, who now face an establishment-versus-progressive primary for the Senate seat, and could see other dominoes topple as ambitious House members look to move up.
In a two-minute video announcing her candidacy Ms. Edwards, whose district includes Washington’s eastern suburbs, said she would try to block any move to reduce payments under Social Security or Medicare — “no ifs, ands, buts, or ’willing to considers’” — in a clear attempt to stake out the liberal stance in the race.
It also seemed aimed at Rep. Chris Van Hollen, whose district covers Washington’s wealthier northern suburbs and who announced his interest in the seat last week. Mr. Van Hollen has expressed openness in the past to reform entitlement programs as part of a broader fiscal “grand bargain.”
Ms. Edwards won instant backing of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which labeled her a “bold progressive.”
“In the Senate, she’ll fight alongside Elizabeth Warren for an economic populist agenda that includes expanding Social Security benefits, making college more affordable, and holding Wall Street accountable,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the PCCC.
Mr. Van Hollen, meanwhile, had socked away nearly $1.7 million in his campaign fund at the end of 2014 and won the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid last week.
SEE ALSO: Chris Van Hollen picks up support in Senate bid
The ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee also defended his entitlement record, saying in a recent appearance on WAMU that he’s been fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare his entire career.
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to say very clearly, 100 percent, I support strengthening both of these programs, protecting both of these programs,” he said. “And I’m not just saying it. I have a record of doing it, and leading the fight in doing it.”
Mr. Van Hollen, a close ally of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, announced endorsements Tuesday from Susan Turnbull, past chair of Jewish Women International, and Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
“Anyone who knows Chris — and people in Maryland do — knows he has been an incredibly effective fighter for progressive causes,” Ms. Turnbull said.
Maryland is one of the bluest states in the country, and Ms. Mikulski’s retirement after five terms has set off a scramble.
Staffers for Democratic Reps. John Delaney and John Sarbanes confirmed on Tuesday that both men were considering runs, and a spokeswoman for Democratic Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said in an email that he is “actively exploring” a Senate bid. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said on MSNBC this week she’s looking at a run.
SEE ALSO: Barbara Mikulski, Maryland senator, will not seek re-election
Former two-term Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is eyeing a White House run in 2016, has taken himself out of the running.
Former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who lost to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan last year and has been mentioned as a possible candidate, put out a statement Tuesday praising Ms. Edwards.
“I am encouraged that such a broad and diverse field of Democratic candidates are rising to carry on the tradition of effective leadership that Senator Mikulski embodies,” Mr. Brown said.
With so many House lawmakers either running or considering a bid, it means there are likely to be other seats open, which could set off more Democratic scrambling.
Democratic State Del. Kumar P. Barve, Montgomery, said he plans to run to represent Mr. Van Hollen’s 8th District, which stretches from the D.C. suburb of Montgomery County north to the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. Kathleen Matthews, a communications executive at Marriott International and the wife of MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews, is among others said to be looking at that race.
In the Senate race, Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College in Baltimore, said Ms. Edwards might be a more natural replacement than Mr. Van Hollen to carry on the legacy of Ms. Mikulski, known for her unapologetic championing of progressive policies.
“This has been Mikulski’s seat for a long time,” Ms. Kromer said, noting that Ms. Edwards could potentially fit as the “next legacy” of a “Mikulski-style” Democrat but that Mr. Van Hollen would be the better-funded candidate.
Richard E. Vatz, a professor at Towson University and a longtime analyst of Maryland politics, said Mr. Hogan’s win in last year’s governor’s race means voters could look to a candidate more along the lines of Mr. Ruppersburger, a key voice on foreign policy issues in the House.
“He’s a serious guy, and I think is the kind of person that maybe the 2016 Democratic electorate could warm to,” he said.
On the Republican side, names of potential candidates floated for Ms. Mikulski’s seat include Rep. Andy Harris, the state’s lone GOP congressman, and former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino, who ran and lost to Sen. Benjamin Cardin in 2012 and Mr. Delaney last year.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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