Democratic candidates for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District seat debated campaign fundraising, highlighted endorsements and called for a cease-fire in the Middle East at a forum Wednesday night at Eastport United Methodist Church.
Of the 22 Democrats running for the seat, which represents all of Howard County and parts of Carroll and Anne Arundel counties, including Annapolis, 16 showed up to share their platforms and answer questions on the economy, campaign financing, foreign aid and more. Nine Republicans are running as well.
The 3rd District seat is now held by Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes, who is not seeking reelection.
Roughly 200 enthusiastic residents, many of whom were members of the District 30 Democratic Club that hosted the event, sat in church pews and listened as the candidates, seated in front of a stained-glass backdrop, discussed their views on the issues.
Some candidates put forth very specific platforms. For instance, Abigail Diehl, owner of Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis and a CBD company repeated the four parts of her platform “clean food, clean water, clean energy, clean medicine.” Lindsay Donahue, an IT professional also from Annapolis, proposed a publicly funded daycare system.
Del. Mark Chang, of Glen Burnie, and Sen. Sarah Elfreth, of Annapolis, said their top priority is rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge and reopening the Port of Baltimore, which has been partially closed since the bridge collapsed last month.
However, most candidates stuck to the larger party issues — restoring reproductive choice for women, protecting the environment, raising wages and reducing the high cost of housing and healthcare.
“Most of us agree on the issues,” said Matt Libber, a sporting events and IT professional from Howard County. “The question really is: Who can do the job better?”
Numerous candidates argued they were the best choice because of their relationship to and knowledge of the community.
2024 voter guide: Candidates for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District
Del. Mike Rogers, of Laurel, noted he’s served the community as both a lawmaker and an involved resident, coaching youth football and serving on his homeowners association.
Others took aim at candidates living outside the district, arguing they don’t have the same familiarity with its needs. Congressional candidates are not required to live in the district they are seeking to represent as long as they live in the state. Sarbanes is not a District 3 resident.
“I don’t have to commute from outside the district to campaign here,” said Juan Dominguez, a Severna Park business executive. “Some have never had kids in our school system.”
Harry Dunn, a U.S. Capitol Police officer of 15 years who was on duty during the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, lives in Silver Spring, outside the district.
It presents Dunn with a hurdle in persuading longtime residents he’s a better choice to represent the district than local lawmakers like Elfreth and state Sen. Clarence Lam, who represents Howard County and parts of Anne Arundel.
Dunn, a Silver Spring resident for about 13 years, has lived in Maryland his whole life, having been born on Andrews Air Force Base and raised in Prince George’s County. He said he would likely move to the district if elected to Congress.
He chose to run for this seat due to his familiarity with the district, he told The Capital after the forum. His sister lives in Glen Burnie and many friends and family members live in Columbia. He also attends services at Celebration Church in Columbia.
“Democracy right now is facing a 911 call. It needs a first responder to respond to it. On Jan. 6, we were wondering, ‘Where’s the backup? Where’s the help?’ Y’all are the help. The voters are the help,” Dunn said during the forum. “We need a fighter in Congress, not a career politician, not any businesspeople. Times like this, it calls for a fighter and I am that candidate.”
Since launching his campaign in January, Dunn has surged ahead of his opponents with high dollar fundraising and spending, raising $3.7 million and spending over $2 million in three months, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission Monday night. Elfreth has raised $513,109 since Jan. 1 and spent $317,780. Lam raised $283,763 in the same period and spent $107,867.
Another recurring topic was money in politics. During a question-and-answer segment, candidates were asked if they would refuse to accept money from corporate political action committees. All stood up signaling they agreed to that stipulation, except Elfreth.
United Democracy Project, a political action committee, has so far spent nearly $1.4 million on the District 3 race; most of the money appears to have gone to ads and mailers in support of Elfreth, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The super PAC supports a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, according to its website. It also shares a treasurer with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, a pro-Israel group.
Elfreth said she is willing to accept support from corporations with interests in the district, such as solar companies.
“I work with a lot of businesses in Maryland, like for instance, the solar industry on renewable energy, something we didn’t talk about a lot tonight but it’s really important to this district and yes, I will take their support,” she said after the forum in response to a question from The Capital about her funding. “I’m not independently wealthy; 80% of the donations I have gotten for this campaign have been from Maryland.”
John Morse, a lawyer from Annapolis formerly representing unionized flight attendants; Kristin Lyman Nabors, a Severna Park nurse, and Donahue all called for a cease-fire in the Middle East while most others stayed away from the issue.
Elfreth primarily called attention to her record in the State House and the endorsements she’s received, including the Sierra Club, Maryland State Educators Association and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman.
“I have been privileged to fight for these issues for you at the State House, whether it’s expanding affordable childcare, as Lindsay [Donahue] said, expanding affordable prescription drugs, affordable and workforce housing,” Elfreth said, noting endorsements from teachers, firefighters and organized labor groups. “I plan to work with them and continue to champion these issues with and for you should I be fortunate enough to be your next congresswoman.”
Meanwhile, Lam, who is also a physician, touted being the only candidate with a 100% rating from Reproductive Justice Maryland and his consistent support of gun reform in the State House.
Del. Terri Hill, who represents Howard County, billed herself as the candidate who best reflects the challenges the voters experience.
“I am an African American woman, small business owner, physician and an effective legislator,” Hill said. “I am more than just an advocate.”
The primary election is May 14, and the general election is Nov. 5.
