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Chris Van Hollen attacks Donna Edwards in ad Chris Van Hollen attacks Donna Edwards in ad
(about 1 hour later)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is out with a new ad attacking his rival in Maryland’s Democratic Senate primary, Rep. Donna Edwards, as ineffective.Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is out with a new ad attacking his rival in Maryland’s Democratic Senate primary, Rep. Donna Edwards, as ineffective.
“Edwards was ranked one of the least effective members of Congress... and the least willing to find common ground,” the narrator says. The ad then quotes a Washington Post editorial comparing Edwards to “Tea Party Republicans.”“Edwards was ranked one of the least effective members of Congress... and the least willing to find common ground,” the narrator says. The ad then quotes a Washington Post editorial comparing Edwards to “Tea Party Republicans.”
The ad relies on a ranking from the website InsideGov, which looked at how many bills sponsored by a lawmaker made it through committee in the last Congress.The ad relies on a ranking from the website InsideGov, which looked at how many bills sponsored by a lawmaker made it through committee in the last Congress.
[Edwards goes on attack against Van Hollen in her first ad][Edwards goes on attack against Van Hollen in her first ad]
The ad also cites the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index, which scores members based on the number of bills they introduce that receive co-sponsors from across the aisle as well as the number of bills they sign on to that came from the other party.The ad also cites the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index, which scores members based on the number of bills they introduce that receive co-sponsors from across the aisle as well as the number of bills they sign on to that came from the other party.
The new spot, Van Hollen’s first attack ad of the campaign, comes in response to one released by Edwards last week accusing the congressman of betraying progressive values.The new spot, Van Hollen’s first attack ad of the campaign, comes in response to one released by Edwards last week accusing the congressman of betraying progressive values.
That ad was the first ad paid for by Edwards herself, who has struggled financially throughout the race but managed to raise over $1 million in the first three months of 2016. However, a super PAC run by the Democratic women’s group Emily’s List has been airing ads in support of Edwards for months.That ad was the first ad paid for by Edwards herself, who has struggled financially throughout the race but managed to raise over $1 million in the first three months of 2016. However, a super PAC run by the Democratic women’s group Emily’s List has been airing ads in support of Edwards for months.
In his ad, Van Hollen calls Edwards’s attacks false, as he has in debates and forums around the state. The last debate scheduled between the two candidates will be held at 7 p.m. Monday evening in Silver Spring. In his ad, Van Hollen calls Edwards’s attacks false, as he has in debates and forums around the state. Edwards, likewise, has pushed back on his characterization of her as ineffective, saying she has worked across the aisle on the science and transportation committees. In a statement, Edwards spokesman Benjamin Gerdes said the congresswoman’s campaign was “disappointed” by Van Hollen’s “negative, personal attacks.”
The last debate scheduled between the two candidates will be held at 7 p.m. Monday evening in Silver Spring.
Van Hollen also organized a conference call Friday afternoon in which several of his supporters criticized Edwards’s record.Van Hollen also organized a conference call Friday afternoon in which several of his supporters criticized Edwards’s record.
The increased aggression on both sides is a sign of how close this race is two weeks out from the April 26 primary, which will determine the Democratic nominee for the seat held by retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D). A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released last week gave Edwards a statistically insignificant four-point lead in the race.The increased aggression on both sides is a sign of how close this race is two weeks out from the April 26 primary, which will determine the Democratic nominee for the seat held by retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D). A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released last week gave Edwards a statistically insignificant four-point lead in the race.