Donna Edwards defeated Rep Albert Wynn in a stunning upset last night in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 4th Congressional district. Edwards had challenged Wynn in the 2006 primaries, losing only by a slim margin. This time, she defeated Wynn, an eight term incumbent, by a wide margin: 60% to 35%, reports the Washington Post. Since the district is a safe democratic seat, Edwards’ win tantamount to election.
Running on a progressive, feminist platform, Edwards put together a large coalition of women’s rights, environmental, and labor groups, including Emily’s List, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, SEIU, National Organization for Women and Feminist Majority PAC. She has long been at the forefront of women’s issues, co-founding the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and fighting to pass the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.
While in office Wynn sided with the Bush administration on several occasions, including the Iraq war, voting to repeal the estate tax and in favor of the bankruptcy bill. “Today the voters went to the polls looking for a change, and they went out there looking for new leadership. They found what they were looking for in this campaign,” Edwards told supporters last night, according to the Baltimore Sun.
“Donna Edwards’ campaign was inspiring for feminists and progressives everywhere. She had the guts to take on an incumbent and the perseverance to stay at it until she won.” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority.
