To watch the segment, please click here.

I am grateful the Democrats of Maryland’s new Fourth Congressional District, comprised of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties, placed their trust in me to represent them in the US House of Representatives.  I want to thank all of the supporters and donors for continuing to stick with me because each of you helped make this possible.  Since coming to Congress in 2008, I have fought every single day to improve the lives of my constituents. I will continue to work in the years ahead on behalf of Maryland’s families to create jobs, defend Social Security and Medicare, prepare students for the 21st Century global economy, and protect the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s other natural resources.

But our work is not over yet.  With your continued support, I look forward to continue working hard on behalf of my constituents in the 113th Congress following my re-election in November.  And I’m going to do everything I can between now and November to help Democrats take back the House.

Sincerely,

Donna Edwards

A Congressional Democrat is defending the Affordable Care Act as Tea Party groups prepare for a March 24 rally against President Obama’s health care reform measures.

Rep. Donna Edwards (D.-Md.) recently testified in front of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in favor of the law.

“I was honored to preside over the passage of the Affordable Care Act in the House and filled with pride to witness President Obama sign the landmark bill into law,” Edwards said. “Although the health reform law has faced opposition from some, I stand proudly and steadfastly in support of the Affordable Care Act and the preventive care, primary care, community-based care—quality care—that will now be received by millions of Americans.”

Meanwhile, various Tea Party groups, former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will be in Washington, D.C. March 24 for a Road to Repeal rally.

To read the entire article, click here.

In the redrawing of election lines, the 4th congressional district covering parts of Prince George’s now includes a swath of neighboring Anne Arundel County and no longer incorporates communities in the more liberal Montgomery.

The incumbent congresswoman, Democrat Donna Edwards, faces two challengers in her primary, neither possessing her strong grasp of the issues facing the district, state and nation.

Edwards, with her focus on improving health care, creating transit-oriented development and aiding federal workers, has done well representing the needs of her constituents, most of whom are in Prince George’s County.

Her newest priority, job creation, is no different. Edwards supports the American Jobs Act, which is expected to bring $625 million for Maryland infrastructure projects and create about 8,000 jobs. Edwards touts the act’s double benefit of addressing the many infrastructure problems, while also creating jobs.

She has pushed for more federal leases in Maryland and has fought proposed cuts to foreclosure-prevention programs.

The biggest challenge for Edwards, a liberal leader, will be adjusting to a reshaped district, which adds more conservative constituents in Anne Arundel County to her Prince George’s base. However, she has proved that she is willing to work across party lines by co-sponsoring with U.S. Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Dist. 6) of Buckeystown the 21st Century Investment Act of 2011, which increases manufacturing and research-and-development tax credits.

Edwards is a clear choice in the Democratic primary.

The Republican race has few strong contenders.

Faith Loudon of Pasadena, who has been active in the Republican Central Committee in Anne Arundel County; Randy Gearhart, a computer programmer; and Charles Shepherd, a retired aerospace engineering technician, are all weak on the issues.

All three believe government regulations are hindering business. Loudon supports the Purple Line transit between New Carrollton and Bethesda, wants stronger enforcement to prevent illegal immigration but says she does not know what to do about illegal immigrants’ children born in the United States. Gearhart has no transportation priorities, as he says it should be left up to the states, and Shepherd says he is unsure of how to handle the foreclosure crisis. Contender Greg Holmes did not respond to calls or emails.

Given the dearth of details, Loudon earns a slight nod simply because she has put forth a stronger outreach effort: She is the only candidate with a website.

Read more by clicking here.

As Rep. Donna Edwards tries to untangle and improve the D.C. region’s dynamic transportation network, she’s guided by a memory of her early years as a single working mother without a car.

“It was my experience of standing on the side of a highway with a kid in a stroller catching a bus that really got me engaged in trying to figure out what our transportation options are,” the Maryland Democrat told POLITICO in an interview. “And that’s an experience I carry with me as I think about my work on the Transportation Committee.”

To read more and see a description of the votes, please click here.

“I am proud to support Congresswoman Donna Edwards.  She is part of the new generation of women in Congress who are coming into their own in a new way for a new day — claiming their power to empower others.  She is my partner — working to create jobs and opportunity in the Fourth District.” – Senator Barbara Mikulski.

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of one of Maryland’s greatest leaders, Sen. Barbara Mikulski,” said Congresswoman Edwards.  “I value our tremendous partnership.  We have worked together to maintain funding for critical scientific research at Goddard Space Flight Center, Suitland’s NOAA facility, and other federal facilities across Maryland, create a new emergency response and preparedness initiative for the national capitol region centered at Prince George’s Hospital Center, and protect women’s rights and health in the landmark Affordable Care Act.  I look forward to continue working with Senator Mikulski in the years ahead on behalf of Maryland’s families to create jobs, to protect Social Security and Medicare, to prepare students for the 21st century global economy, and to protect the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s other natural resources.”

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After every U.S. census, states are required to redraw the boundaries of Congressional districts. It’s not supposed to be a partisan political process, but that hasn’t stopped Republicans and some Democrats from doing everything they can to take advantage of it for their gain.

This year, redistricting is putting two of our biggest heroes in Congress at risk: Representatives Donna Edwards and Raul Grijalva.

Few Democrats in the House of Representatives have fought harder than Donna and Raul to stop Paul Ryan’s plan to end Medicare. They stood strong to defeat attempts to cut Social Security. And they have never backed down in the fight to restore the American Dream for everyone. But now their districts have been redrawn to make them significantly harder for a progressive Democrat to win.

They’ve been there for us, now we need to be there for them. Please contribute $5 to each of their campaigns right now.

Donna Edwards is used to taking on the tough fights. She took on a corporate, right-wing Democrat and kicked him out of office in a hard fought primary. It was a classic battle for the heart and soul of our party and DFA members were there every step of the way to help her get the job done.

Once Donna was elected, she didn’t sit back and just collect a paycheck as too many in Congress do. She joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus and became a leader working for change every day. This year she led fights to overturn Citizen United and get corporate money out of politics. She fought to create jobs and foster long-term economic development.

And during the debt ceiling fight, the Washington Post called her “aggressive” and “a liberal leader in the House” because she said that cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid was absolutely off the table.

Now, because of redistricting she is being challenged in a primary. I am with Donna and I hope you will be too. Please contribute $5 to her campaign today.

Raul Grijalva is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Under his leadership, progressives in Congress have never been more unified, on message, or a greater force to reckon with than now.

Raul has made sure that we don’t just stay on defense fighting Eric Cantor and John Boehner. It’s our job to be on offense and offer alternatives. So when the Republicans offered a disastrous budget plan, the CPC offered “the People’s Budget.”

When Republicans ran from town hall meetings afraid of being attacked by seniors for trying to end Medicare, Raul traveled around the country supporting the “Good Jobs Now” tour by meeting with out of work Americans face to face and fighting to restore the American Dream.

Now, Arizona Republicans are looking for a power grab. They’ve redrawn the boundaries of his district to remove Democrats and replace them with conservative voters. At least one conservative Democrat has already announced intentions to run against Raul in a primary. And after a tough fight last election, you can bet Republicans have no intention of sitting this election out.

It’s up to us to deliver the resources for Raul to fight back and win. Please contribute $5 right now.

Donna and Raul have been there for us. Now is the time for us to stand up and be there for them.

Thank you, Donna, for everything you’re doing to move America forward.

-Howard

Governor Howard Dean
Founder, Democracy for America