Former Maryland Rep. David Trone announced Thursday that he is seeking a return to the House, setting up a primary challenge against his successor in the 6th District, Rep. April McClain Delaney. Trone, who lost his Senate bid last year, emphasized his record of opposing Donald Trump, defending Obamacare, and advocating for women’s reproductive rights in a social media launch video.
The announcement drew a sharp response from McClain Delaney, who said representing the 6th District is “not a consolation prize.” She criticized Trone for leaving the district to run for Senate and asserted she would not step aside. Maryland’s 6th District, stretching from Democratic-leaning Washington suburbs to more conservative western areas, is considered the state’s most competitive congressional seat. Republicans Neil Parrott and Robin Ficker have filed to run in the general election. The potential Democratic primary between Trone and McClain Delaney is expected to be costly, with Trone having a history of self-funding campaigns, including nearly $63 million in his Senate primary last year, while McClain Delaney loaned $3.9 million to her campaign.