In what has become the great truism of American politics, the late Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil once remarked that “all politics is local.” The finest representatives in Washington are those who actually represent their constituents, channeling voters’ views and concerns as they deliberate on the best path forward for their districts and for the country.
In Maryland and northern Virginia, we are most fortunate to have a fine group of federal legislators who not only have been effective in representing their constituencies, but have also been reliable and responsive friends to the Jewish community that calls this region home.
At the top of the list, we are proud to throw our support — as we have done in elections past — behind one of Maryland’s favorite Jewish sons, Sen. Ben Cardin. From his seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he served for a time as ranking member in the last Congress, the two-term senator has been a stalwart defender of Israel and a trusted voice for the defense of women at home and abroad and the protection of the Jewish community.
We also endorse for reelection incumbent Democratic Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger in Maryland’s second congressional district, John Sarbanes in the third congressional district, Anthony Brown in the fourth congressional district, Steny Hoyer in the fifth congressional district, Elijah Cummings in the seventh congressional district and Jamie Raskin in the eighth congressional district. Some of them are longtime representatives, while others are coming off of their freshman terms, but all have long proven their dedication to public service in Congress and earlier offices. Maryland and the country have done well in their representation, which has been largely consistent with the domestic and foreign policies the majority of American Jewry hold dear, and they deserve another term.
In Maryland’s sixth congressional district, in the race for the seat held by retiring Rep. John Delaney, we endorse businessman David Trone, a “common sense progressive,” who has personally contributed toward and advocated for issues of concern to the Jewish community. We are confident that Trone will build on the results Delaney has delivered to his constituents, and will make a worthy addition to the state’s delegation on Capitol Hill.
In northern Virginia, we likewise endorse for reelection Rep. Gerry Connolly in the 11th congressional district, and in the 10th congressional district, we throw our support behind state Sen. Jennifer Wexton in her fight to unseat the Republican incumbent.
At a time when public faith in Congress is depressingly low, these candidates have the experience necessary to achieve results of value to the voters of this region and to the nation as a whole.
