Maryland Congressional Elections, 2008 Article Index for
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Maryland Congressional Elections, 2008





CANDIDATES


1st Congressional District


Incumbent Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest had been in office since 1991. He is being challenged in the primary election by State Senator Andrew P. Harris , who has claimed that Gilchrest is too moderate for the district.


2nd Congressional District


Incumbent Democratic Congressman Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger was elected to Congress in 2002. Prior to serving in Congress, Ruppersberger was Baltimore County Executive from 1994-2002. Ruppersberger serves on the House Intelligence Committee and the Democratic Steering Committee. Ruppersberger currently has no announced challengers.


3rd Congressional District


Incumbent freshman Democratic congressman John Sarbanes , son of former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes , won the 2006 Democratic primary in a crowded eight-person race. Sarbanes currently has no announced challengers.


4th Congressional District


In this heavily Democratic district, the important election will be the September primary that pits incumbent Albert Wynn in a rematch of his 2006 race against community activist Donna Edwards , in which he was nearly defeated. Two minor Democratic candidates, George McDermott and George Mitchell, are joining the fray as well. Edwards, in a reprise of her 2006 campaign themes, has criticized Wynn, arguing that he is too conservative and too closely allied with Republicans. Since his scare in the 2006 election, Wynn has made an effort to appear more strongly in favor of progressive causes.


5th Congressional District


Steny Hoyer the incumbent Democratic Congressman and House Majority Leader , has served in Congress since 1981. Democratic candidate James P. Cusick, Sr. has announced to run against Hoyer in the primary, and Republican Jesse James Dann Sr. has filed to challenge him in the general election.


6th Congressional District


Incumbent Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett has served in the House since 1993. Although there were early rumors that Bartlett would retire rather than run again, he has since filed his candidacy for re-election. In 2006, Bartlett defeated Democrat Andrew Duck , a stockbroker and U.S. Army veteran. Duck has hinted at running again. Republican Frank Nethken has also filed to challenge him.


7th Congressional District


Incumbent Democrat Elijah Cummings has served in the House since 1996, and did not face any opposition in the Democratic primary or general election in 2006. Cummings currently has no announced challengers.


8th Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Chris Van Hollen was first elected to Congress in 2002, and has achieved national prominence as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee . Van Hollen currently has no announced challengers.