Rep. Van Hollen says he will run for Mikulski's Senate seat

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Mar 4, 4:37 PM EST

Rep. Van Hollen says he will run for Mikulski's Senate seat

By BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen says he will run for the Senate seat that will be open when Barbara Mikulski retires.

Van Hollen, a Democrat from the Washington suburbs, announced his plans in an email to supporters Wednesday. His email was sent two days after Mikulski announced she would not run for re-election in 2016.

Van Hollen, who has been a congressman since 2003, wrote that a more formal announcement of his Senate bid will come later.

He will be running in what could be a crowded race, with a variety of Democrats considering a run. Rep. John Delaney already has indicated he will explore a Senate run.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_VAN_HOLLEN_SENATE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-03-04-16-37-49

[rpannier]

1. Maybe O'Malley should reconsider his presidential bid

and run for the senate seat instead

[4139]

3. He said no yesterday...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/03/03/omalley-senate-mikulski-maryland/24305517/

[rpannier]

5. That's fine

I just think if he has real aspirations for an office in DC, he has a better chance at the senate than the presidency

[kimbutgar]

16. I see him as Hillary's VP candidate

He is young and energetic, if Hillary wants only one term he can run in 2020 or 2024 as the presidential candidate. He'll have more federal experience under his belt and he will have more name recognition.

[rpannier]

17. Good point

Could also be what he's doing - positioning himself for the Veep slot

[hrmjustin]

2. Good!

Should be an easy win.

[4139]

4. Primary will be interesting, likely 3-5 candidates

[hrmjustin]

6. Name recognition will be important.

[elleng]

10. Most of us know the other potential candidates,

Donna Edwards

John Sarbanes

Others mentioned here: http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/03/02/mikulski-senate-maryland-replacement/ Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Rep. Elijah Cummings, and Rep. John Delaney.

[4139]

11. "Progressives rally behind Donna Edwards for Maryland Senate "

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/234483-progressives-groups-rally-behind-rep-edwards-for-maryland-senate

[LiberalEsto]

12. Delaney might as well call himself a Republican

Because he seems to be one

[elleng]

15. I disagree, LibEst.

He's supported POTUS' programs, and is firmly in favor of infrastructure enhancement.

[MBS]

7. glad to hear this.

He'd be good.

[femmocrat]

8. Maryland has so many good candidates.

I like Donna Edwards, though.

[elleng]

18. I like them both

(+ Elijah Cummings,) and don't know what I'd do if primary were held today.

Van Hollen is a 'member of the club,' which could be a positive or a negative, depending on one's point of view.

[Chalco]

9. I like Van Hollen. nt

[DCBob]

13. Great news.

Really like him. He was my Rep when I lived in Silver Spring MD years ago.

[vkkv]

14. Excellent! On his way to becoming President.

He WILL be P.O.T.U.S. some day. He's keeping his ducks in a row, keeping a middle-left course.

[Kingofalldems]

19. Go get 'em Chris.

[AngryAmish]

20. I am already designing campaign logos

[BlueMTexpat]

21. MD has LOTS of great Dem candidates,

but Senator Mikulski is unique. She is irreplaceable in many ways.

[AngryAmish]

22. I bet he enjoys several positions on education

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=ip33VLKcEvPHsQT7nIHoDw&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DLetJHQ_V05o&ved=0CB8QyCkwAA&usg=AFQjCNF1gxGu4w6Rkn6gMguaujnfBMOpeQ&sig2=ufIK90l_yWDDCzJcQv5EPQ

[moondust]

23. Donna Edwards was just on Hardball.

Says she is thinking about running for the seat.