Van Hollen Gets By Edwards In Maryland Democratic Senate Primary

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., delivers a speech at the Center For American Progress on middle-class wages, January 12, 2015. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
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Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is the projected winner over Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) in the bitterly contested Democratic Senate primary in Maryland, according to MSNBC and CNN. The seat is considered safely Democratic meaning that Van Hollen has a smooth road to the general election.

The race between Van Hollen and Edwards for the seat opened by the retirement of Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) mirrored many of the same political forces in the the Democratic presidential primary. Van Hollen – the ranking member of the House Budget Committee–was known on Capitol Hill as a wheeler and dealer who had occasional brokered must-pass bills across the finish line. Meanwhile, Edwards was seen as more of a progressive visionary.

Both members of Congress represent suburban DC districts. Van Hollen’s district is majority white. Edwards’ district is majority black.

Van Hollen, former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was a strong fundraiser in the primary, raising $8 million. Edwards raised just a fraction with $3.3 million, but she also had some extra support from Emily’s List, which endorsed her early on.

Polling showed Van Hollen with a double digit lead in the days leading up to the primary. A Monmouth poll showed him beating Edwards 52 percent to 36 percent.

The Edwards’ campaign filed a complaint Tuesday, according to the Baltimore Sun to keep the polls open after 8 p.m. when they were originally scheduled to close. Edwards’ campaign alleged that some polling places opened an hour later than they were supposed to.

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