Maryland Democrat withdraws from Senate race for Sen. Ben Cardin’s replacement.
A Democrat Drops Out, Making Maryland Senate Race a Two-Person Show
A Maryland Democrat running to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) has announced his withdrawal from the race, leaving the field wide open for a highly competitive primary. Will Jawando, a Montgomery County Council member and the first candidate to enter the senatorial race, made the tough decision after careful consideration and discussions with his family.
“After a lot of thought and prayer and late nights with my wife, Michelle, and our family, I’ve decided that it’s time to take a step back from this race,” Jawando said in a heartfelt video announcement. ”Not because we believe any less in the cause that started it. The fights we talked about in this campaign are, and always will be, the fights of my life. But after thinking long and hard about this race in particular, I frankly no longer see a path for myself to victory.”
Jawando’s exit narrows down the contenders to two: Rep. David Trone (D-MD) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Trone, a wealthy white businessman and founder of Total Wine & More, faces a tough challenge from Alsobrooks, who aims to make history as the first person of color elected to the Senate from Maryland.
Trone has poured nearly $10 million into his campaign, but during the third quarter, Alsobrooks outpaced him by raising over $1.5 million, the highest among all candidates. Meanwhile, Jawando’s fundraising efforts fell short, bringing in only $214,159, most of which was spent. Trone managed to raise a little over $63,000.
Jawando did not reveal his endorsement during his announcement, but Trone has garnered support from local lawmakers such as Ben McShane, a Frederick alderman, and Bob Flanigan, the mayor of Frostburg, Maryland. On the other hand, Alsobrooks has secured backing from prominent Congressional members, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Sen. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD).
While Maryland is considered a safe Democratic state, open Senate seats are rare. In the past 70 years, there have only been three. Despite the state’s Democratic stronghold, the party will face a challenging path to maintain their slim majority in the Senate during next year’s elections.
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What were the main factors that led to Jawando’s decision to withdraw from the Maryland Senate race?
I have decided to withdraw from the Maryland Senate race,” said Jawando in a statement. “While I believe I would have been a strong candidate, I have come to the realization that this is not the right time for me to pursue this opportunity.”
Jawando’s withdrawal comes as a surprise to many, as he was considered one of the front-runners in the race. His extensive experience in public service and his strong progressive platform made him a popular choice among Democratic voters in Maryland.
However, Jawando’s decision also reflects the challenges of running a statewide campaign, especially in a highly competitive race. With several well-known and well-funded candidates in the mix, Jawando faced an uphill battle to secure the Democratic nomination.
His withdrawal now narrows the field to a two-person race between former Democratic Party Chairwoman Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker. Both candidates have considerable political experience and strong support from within the party.
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the widow of former Congressman Elijah Cummings, has built a strong grassroots campaign centered around progressive policies. She has vowed to fight for healthcare for all, criminal justice reform, and addressing climate change.
Rushern Baker, on the other hand, has emphasized his executive experience and his ability to get things done. As the former county executive of Prince George’s County, he oversaw significant economic development and education reform in the area.
With Jawando out of the race, both Cummings and Baker are expected to double down on their campaigning efforts, seeking to secure the Democratic nomination. The outcome of the primary race will be highly consequential, as Maryland has not elected a Republican senator since 1980.
The Democratic nominee will face off against the Republican candidate in the general election, although their chances of success are slim in the heavily Democratic state.
It is worth noting that Jawando has not ruled out running for political office in the future. In his statement, he expressed his commitment to continue serving the people of Maryland and working towards progressive change.
“While I may not be running for Senate at this time, I am still dedicated to championing the issues that matter to the people of Maryland,” Jawando said. “I will continue to fight for affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for all.”
As Maryland Democrats gear up for a competitive primary, the withdrawal of Will Jawando has reshaped the race. With only two candidates remaining, the spotlight will be on Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and Rushern Baker as they vie for the chance to represent the party in the Senate race. Their campaigns will undoubtedly intensify as they seek to win over voters and secure the nomination for the highly coveted seat.
The Maryland Senate race promises to be one of the most closely watched and high-stakes contests in the 2022 midterm elections. The outcome will not only determine who represents Maryland in the Senate but also potentially affect the balance of power in Congress. As the campaign progresses, all eyes will be on Cummings and Baker as they battle it out for the opportunity to shape the future of Maryland and the nation.
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