Van Hollen Wins Democratic Nomination For Md.'s U.S. Senate Seat

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Chris Van Hollen has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland that's being vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski after her three decades in office.

He will go on to face the Republican nominee in November's general election.

"So tonight I want to say to all Marylanders, whether you're from Baltimore City or Baltimore County, or the Baltimore area, whether you're from the Washington suburbs, or from Western Maryland, or Southern Maryland, or the Eastern shore -- I will fight hard for you everyday in the United States Senate," said Van Hollen during his victory speech.

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Van Hollen was elected to Congress in 2002 and currently represents Maryland's 8th Congressional District, which stretches from the D.C. suburbs to the Pennsylvania border and includes portions of Carroll, Frederick and Montgomery counties.

He was running in a crowded field of fellow Democrats, including Rep. Donna Edwards, who represents Maryland's 4th Congressional District.

"And I also want to thank and acknowledge Congresswoman Donna Edwards for being a strong advocate for Democratic party values and priorities and I'm grateful for the call I just received from her," said Van Hollen. "And I know we will go forth in unity to win the general election."

After losing on Tuesday night, Edwards calls out the Democratic Party for lack of diversity.

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