Del. Bill Frick is preparing for a possible congressional run.
The Bethesda representative and current Maryland House Majority Leader filed a form with the Federal Elections Commission on Friday that allows him to fundraise for a possible 2018 District 6 House of Representatives bid. That seat is occupied by Rep. John Delaney, a Potomac Democrat, who said last week he is considering running for governor against Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. Delaney said he would make a formal decision about whether to enter the gubernatorial contest in June.
Frick said Monday he filed the form to make sure Democrats are prepared to hold the seat against Republicans who are targeting the district that includes Potomac and a huge chunk of western Maryland.
“Republicans in Congress have already named the 6th District one of their priority targets, so it is critical Democrats field a strong candidate in 2018,” Frick said in a statement. “In the event that Rep. Delaney chooses to take on Larry Hogan, I am preparing to be that strong Democratic candidate that can succeed him and hold the line against Trump and the radical Republican agenda.”
Frick said he would not run against Delaney, should the congressman decide to run for re-election in 2018.
The Politics1.com Twitter account first reported Saturday that Frick had filed the form with the FEC.
Delaney stepping aside would give Frick a potential path to higher office, something the Harvard Law graduate and Akin Gump attorney has sought since withdrawing from the race for Maryland attorney general in 2014. Frick joined the House of Delegates in 2007 and has held a leadership position since 2014 when he was appointed parliamentarian. He became the House Majority Leader earlier this year.
If Delaney decides not to run, the congressional race could attract at least one other Democratic candidate. Total Wine & More co-founder David Trone, who in 2016 spent more than $13 million of his own money on an unsuccessful bid for the 8th Congressional District, has said he would consider running in District 6 if Delaney decides to run for governor.
The Potomac businessman has also said he’s “focused very heavily” on a potential run for Montgomery County executive, but he hasn’t formally declared his candidacy for any position despite setting up a campaign-style office in Potomac. The new office is within the 6th Congressional District.
