Rep.
David Trone (D-MD) threw his hat in the ring for the open Maryland Senate seat after Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced that he would not seek re-election.
Trone announced his bid for the seat on Thursday. The Washington Examiner reports this will put Trone into a crowded Democrat primary.
In his campaign launch video, Trone said he is running because the clock is ticking. He points to issues like the Fentanyl and mental illness crisis in Maryland. He also pointed to the large incarceration rate gap between black and white men.
In the video, Trone said, Is any of this acceptable to you? To anyone? Not to me.
The Maryland Representative believes he will put forward a much more progressive agenda than some potential opponents. There has been speculation that Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks will also be candidates in the Democrat primary. The state leans heavily to the Democrats, and a Democrat will likely be elected to the seat.
Trone spoke with NBC News and said the following: On social issues, all the candidates that announce will be in the same position,
and
The difference really is about getting things done. Thats what people are just tired of politicians that want to be on CNN and MSNBC and talk, talk, talk but not get something accomplished. And getting something accomplished is the bottom line, and I think life has prepared me to do that.
Representative Trone was first elected to Congress in 2018. He built some of his fortunes on the back of the Total Wine and More stores that he owns. He has spent millions of dollars on elections he ran in before but declined to say how much he will pay to win this Senate seats primary.
Trone said: We really dont know where this race is going to go as far as what its going to cost. But were certainly going to be there and be willing to put in the dollars necessary to bring it home.
He said he doesnt take money from anybody, including PACs, corporations, etc. He said: I know I wont be the establishment choice, but hey, why start now? Ive always been about representing you, not them..
Cardin has occupied the seat since 2006, but the crowded primary leaves it up in the air about who will end up in the middle next.
Login