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PAC Launches $1M Campaign For Edwards Senate Run

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A political action committee headed by a prominent Internet CEO has launched a $1 million campaign on behalf of a Maryland candidate for U.S. Senate, Donna Edwards. It is the same group that helped elect current senator Barbara Mikulski.

Pat Warren explains why Emily's List picked Edwards in the race to replace Mikulski.

The race to replace Medal of Freedom recipient Barbara Mikulski could have an historical impact similar to that of Mikulski's first election to the U.S. Senate. The same political action committee that supported Mikulski is backing Maryland Representative Donna Edwards.

Emily's List is a Washington-based group that helps get pro-choice women Democrats elected to office.

Edwards is running against Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who has already had three TV ads in Baltimore.

"Donna's clearly got the grassroots energy. Van Hollen has a lot of establishment support, and that is tough to compete with, so we want to make sure we're throwing the weight of our three million members who want to see a more representative government behind Donna," said Jess McIntosh, Emily's List.

Edwards would be the only African-American woman in the U.S. Senate---the second in U.S. history.

"It's really amazing and it proves--it's a testament, really, to the great work that's been done by Emily's List to grow women leaders in this country," Rep. Edwards said.

Edwards and Van Hollen, who both represent the D.C. suburbs, need to make themselves known in Baltimore.

By law, Emily's List cannot work hand-in-hand with the Edwards campaign, but says she represents their values.

Emily's List is spending $1 million dollars on Edward's campaign ads.

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