Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh have endorsed Rep. Chris Van Hollen for Senate.
The move from the two powerful Montgomery County Democrats comes during the same week that current Senator Barbara Mikulski announced her retirement and less than 48 hours after Van Hollen, a Kensington Democrat who represents District 8, announced he would make a run for her seat in the 2016 election.
In a statement from Leggett that was released by Van Hollen’s campaign, the county executive said, “As we look ahead to build a strong Maryland, we need a proven leader like Congressman Chris Van Hollen, whose reputation for leadership, deep intellect and courage is unrivaled.”
The move is not surprising as Van Hollen also endorsed Leggett during the county executive’s 2014 campaign. The Congressman also endorsed Brian Frosh during the Montgomery County Democrat’s campaign for Attorney General in 2014.
The state’s attorney general said in a statement Friday, “I’ve known Chris for over 20 years, and he is, without a doubt, an extraordinarily gifted and effective legislator. He is passionate, hardworking, and smart—exactly who Maryland needs in the Senate.”
Frosh also mentioned Van Hollen’s work protecting the state’s natural resources and effort to help pass gun safety legislation in his endorsement of the Congressman.
Van Hollen was the first candidate to jump into the race after Mikulski announced Monday she would retire. His move gave him some early press in what could be a fierce Democratic primary featuring the state’s biggest political names. Candidates being floated for the seat include Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. John Delaney, former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, former Del. Heather R. Mizeur and possibly former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler.
Former Gov. Martin O’Malley, widely considered to be a favorite for the seat, but who is mounting a longshot presidential campaign, has said he will not run.
Van Hollen’s move for Mikulski’s seat has already set off maneuvering locally from nearly a dozen candidates to fill his District 8 House of Representatives seat. The district includes southern Montgomery County and parts of Carroll and Frederick counties.
