U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, received a major endorsement from the leader of his primary competition’s own jurisdiction Wednesday.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker endorsed Van Hollen at an event in Prince George's County this morning.
U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards, a Prince George’s Democrat, is the only candidate other than Van Hollen to formally announce she is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Mikulski, who is retiring.
“I’ve known Rushern Baker for over 20 years,” Van Hollen said in a statement Tuesday night. “We stood side by side in the Statehouse fighting for better schools and stronger gun laws, and we continue to fight hard for critical investments for Prince George’s County.”
Baker told the Baltimore Sun he chose to endorse Van Hollen because he’s been effective in delivering resources to Prince George’s County and because the two politicians have had a “long-term, solid relationship that’s built on more than just knowing each other politically. We know each other personally.”
At the event today, Baker said he believes Van Hollen will fight for the state and Prince George's County in the Senate.
Van Hollen, a Kensington resident, has already received endorsements from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and the entire Montgomery County Council.
The Sun reported that Baker’s endorsement of Van Hollen is not a surprise, given that Edwards and the Prince George’s executive have had a “sometimes strained relationship.”
Since January, Van Hollen has raised a little more than $1.15 million for his Senate campaign, according to campaign finance records. Edwards has not released her first-quarter fundraising numbers.
