Reps. Edwards, Van Hollen Waging Battle For U.S. Senate

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Campaign fever in the Maryland race for U.S. Senate. U.S. Representatives Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, in a dead heat in recent polls, are waging battle to win Baltimore.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on what the candidates are feeling.

They're both feeling energized and confident, and probably a little nervous.

Compare and contrast: Chris Van Hollen's visit to Annapolis, where he carries endorsements from former colleagues in the General Assembly; Donna Edwards in her Baltimore office, papered with hand written campaign signs. Both are polling with enough support to make it a dead heat.

What's it going to take to break away?

Warren: "Given the fact that you have so much support from the established Democratic Party are you surprised that you're this close?"

Van Hollen: "We have support from progressive groups that are actually interested in results, interested in getting things done."

Warren: "Is there any disadvantage to not being the 'party pick?'"

Edwards: "Well, I've never been the party pick, and so I don't actually know what it would be like otherwise. It's been great to have the support of people in local communities."

Each campaign has ads assuring voters of their commitment to Maryland families, despite differences in race and gender.

"My view is that people of different genders, different races at the end of the day are focused on who can actually move an agenda forward that helps everybody," said Rep. Van Hollen.

"I can't run away from my gender and I can't run away from my race, and I don't intend to," said Rep. Edwards. "And I think all things being equal, it actually adds something to the mix in policy making in the United States Senate."

The candidates are running marathon campaigns in the Baltimore area, the results of which may remain a tossup until 53 days from now, when voters go to the polls on April 26.

This is one of the closest state primary races in the country.

The candidates are campaigning to fill the seat of retiring Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski.