Senate shuffle may open up opportunities
LGBT candidates Mizeur or Madaleno could seek promotion in wake of Mikulski retirement
U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s (D-Md.) decision not to seek a sixth term has upset the proverbial apple cart in Maryland Democratic politics, resulting in a flood of potential candidates who say they are weighing their options, either for Mikulski’s seat itself or for one of the House seats that may open up as those incumbents seek a promotion to the upper chamber. Former out lesbian gubernatorial candidate and Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery Co.) and Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery Co.) are among those who may seek a promotion to Congress.
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s decision to seek Mikulski’s seat propelled him to frontrunner status, as he hails from vote-rich Montgomery County and has started to lock down the support of most of the Democratic establishment, both in the state, with the backing of the members of the Montgomery County Council and County Executive Ike Leggett, and the endorsement of Attorney General Brian Frosh, and nationally, earning the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards is expected to announce her candidacy for the seat later today, setting off what is likely to be a fierce primary. U.S. Rep. John Delaney has also expressed interest in the seat. Because all three House members hail from the D.C. suburbs, there is room for a Baltimore-area candidate, which could include U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, or Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Although liberal-leaning groups are salivating over the prospect of an Edwards run, with Democracy for America (DFA) and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) launching a “Draft Donna” movement last Thursday, Mizeur has also had her name touted among some other progressive-leaning groups within the Democratic Party.
Mizeur, who “beat the spread” by performing better than expected in the 2014 gubernatorial primary against then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and then-Attorney General Doug Gansler, was the leading contender in a non-scientific poll on CBS Baltimore’s website asking readers who they would prefer to succeed Mikulski. In that poll, Mizeur ran away with the field, earning 32 percent, ahead of former Gov. Bob Ehrlich, whose name has been touted as a potential GOP nominee, with 14 percent and Edwards with 11 percent. Every other potential statewide candidate registered less than 7 percent.
In response to the CBS Baltimore poll, Mizeur took to her Facebook page to thank supporters, saying, “Grassroots, I hear you and deeply appreciate the enthusiasm of your outreach and expressions of support. It’s only fair to give an opportunity like this serious reflection and discernment. I’ll let you know soon if we should gear up for another journey together.”
If the Senate primary becomes too crowded, or there’s not enough ideological space for Mizeur to distinguish herself from the other opponents, the other obvious option for her would be to run for Van Hollen’s open 8th District seat, which snakes through the northern and eastern parts of Montgomery County into parts of Frederick and Carroll counties, and contains her home base of Takoma Park, where she served as a member of the city council. But that race, too, has attracted the interests of several potential primary contenders, as it takes in some of the most Democratic-leaning parts of Montgomery County. According to The Washington Post, Marriott executive Kathleen Matthews, the wife of MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews, has expressed interest in the seat, as has the openly gay Madaleno, a member of the Maryland legislative LGBT caucus. Other names being bandied about include Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery Co.), who represents the same legislative district where Mizeur got her start, and former Montgomery County Councilmember Valerie Ervin, who hails from nearby Silver Spring.
Those wishing to avoid a crowded field could also look to the 6th District seat held by Delaney, if the Montgomery County congressman decides to take the plunge into the Senate race. While neither Mizeur nor Madaleno lives in the 6th District, which takes in southern Montgomery County, the city of Frederick and Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties, the U.S. Constitution simply requires that a congressman reside in the state where the district is located, not the district itself. Mizeur, in particular, could probably mount a credible challenge for the Democratic primary in this district, as she’s been active in raising concerns over the environmental impact of fracking for natural gas in western Maryland, although she — or any other Democrat — would likely face a tight race in the general election, particularly if turnout in Montgomery County is dismal as it was in 2014, as the district has pockets of heavy Republican strength.
Other possible, though less likely, LGBT candidates in other districts could include Baltimore City Delegates Luke Clippinger or Mary Washington.
As more candidates announce their intentions in the coming days and weeks, and the primary field for both the Senate and any House seats begins to take shape, it is likely Maryland voters will be hearing more from those candidates who ultimately decide to jump into the race for Congress. Whether that final pool of candidates will include Mizeur, Madaleno, or any other LGBT candidate, remains to be seen.
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