Van Hollen wants voters to know he will fight like Mikulski
Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen aims to replace Sen. Barbara Mikulski as Maryland’s next United States senator. This weekend he campaigned on the Eastern Shore to meet with the people that could become his future constituents and let them know he won’t forget about them if elected.
“I can say this is not just a campaign stop, if I have the opportunity to serve the people of the eastern shore I will be there, we’ll have an operation that’s on the ground an present and I look forward to being here regularly,” Van Hollen said.
Adding that his constituent services are something he is quite proud of, and that if elected he will be open to hearing everyone’s problems.
Van Hollen said he was he has already picked up support from top Eastern Shore politicians, such as Sen. Jim Mathias (D-MD) , congressional candidate and former Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton (D), as well as current salisbury mayor Jake Day.
47 ABC spoke to Day, who said he was pleased Van Hollen took time to hear what’s important to the Eastern Shore.
“It’s nice when we can have (congressmen) come here, see our challenges first hand, see our problems first hand, and see what we offer as a community first hand,” Day said.
Van Hollen characterizes himself as someone who, like Sen. Mikulksi, will not be afraid to engage in some of the big important battles at the federal level to make sure the government works for blue collar families.
One issue Van Hollen said he’ll continue to work towards, is making sure our veterans get the help they need.
“We need to address job opportunities for veterans, higher education and college opportunities for veterans and deal with some of the crisis we have with respect to homelessness and suicide,” Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen added that in his home congressional district (district 8) they have ended veteran homelessness.
Another key issue he says, is figuring out a way to end gun violence without infringing on voters second amendment rights.
“One idea is actually making sure for example that people that are on the terrorist watch list can’t get a semi-automatic weapon,” Van Hollen said.
Legislation that Van Hollen has sponsored that would prevent those on the terrorist watch list from purchasing weapons has stalled in the House because Speaker Paul Ryan (R) has refused to put it to a vote.
Van Hollen also wants voters to know he will fight to protect the Chesapeake Bay when it comes to federal regulations.
“I worked to protect the bay, in partnership with both farmers, the watermen, and the environmental community since my days in the legislature,” Van Hollen said.
Currently political pundits have pegged Van Hollen as being neck and neck with Rep. Donna Edwards (D – MD), who is also running for Senate.
The primary election for democratic voters to decide on their candidate for senate is April 26.
