Received in my inbox early this morning:
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 4th district. This is by no means a formal announcement, but I did make the trek to Annapolis this morning to file, and I wanted you to know before you read it in a newspaper. With your help, we will be planning a more formal announcement and other activities in the coming days and weeks. Although it feels as though we've just completed one campaign, indeed the 2008 primary is just months away -- February 12, 2008 -- moved forward by the Presidential Primary. So, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but this time is the charm. I know that we can make a difference for the people of the 4th Congressional District -- on health care, education, the environment and global warming, transportation, and of course on ending the war in Iraq and restoring U.S. leadership in the global community.
Woo hoo! Read more. . . . . .
This race captured a great deal of attention late in the primary season in 2006, but it being a state election year, a lot of us Marylanders were otherwise occupied and didn't/couldn't give as much support and help to the Edwards campaign as it deserved.
No such problems in 2008. No state races, and no U.S. Senate race in Maryland. Other than the presidential race, MD-04 is THE marquee matchup in the entire state.
And Al Wynn knows this. I've been his constituent for 15 long, arduous years. Until 2006, he couldn't find Montgomery County without a map. Suddenly, after Donna Edwards comes within 2500 votes of beating him, he's EVERYWHERE in Montgomery County. He'd like us to believe that he's found religion.
Don't buy it. His legacy of voting against his constituents' interest, against his party, and in favor of corporate fat-cat contributors is legendary, and isn't going to change. Yeah, now he says he wants to end the war, but in 2003, he voted FOR it. He also voted FOR the appalling bankruptcy bill, FOR estate tax repeal and for a host of other right-wing issues.
This district is composed of 33% Montgomery County and 67% Prince George's County (prior to 2002, it was about 10-90). In 2006, Donna Edwards got 60% of the Montgomery County vote with ONE MAILING and relatively minimal canvassing. Unfortunately, Wynn got 56% of the Prince George's County vote and eked out a victory.
On the one hand, Donna won't be able to surprise Wynn as she did in 2006. On the other hand, she will have more early money, more local support and more experience at running for Congress.
It can be done. It should be done. It must be done. Please help end my 15 year nightmare. Help elect Donna Edwards in MD-04.