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Chris Van Hollen Wins Maryland Senate Seat

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

He won with Mikulski's endorsement. She is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress.

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.

The 57-year-old, a seven-term congressman, campaigned as an experienced candidate who is willing to reach across party lines to get things done at a time when Washington is mired in gridlock.

He supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Van Hollen also supports what he describes as common-sense gun control. For instance, he is sponsoring legislation to provide incentives for states to implement handgun purchaser licensing laws.

In April's primary, he was in a crowded field of fellow Democrats, including Rep. Donna Edwards, who represents Maryland's 4th Congressional District.

Van Hollen beat out Republican nominee Kathy Szeliga, who has been member of Maryland's House of Delegates since January 2011 and Minority Whip since 2013. She represents District 7, which includes parts of Baltimore County and Harford County.

He won with Mikulski's endorsement. She is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress.

Gov. Larry Hogan had endorsed Szeliga in the race.

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(TM and Copyright 2016 CBS and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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