MD – The Heated Battle for the 4th District …

One need not be an astute political observer to tell that the race for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District is one of the more tense races we’ll see in 2008.  Of course, our head is in the present primary gutter of the primaries, but one should take a close look at MD-4 to get a sense of what’s happening on the Black political landscape. 

MD-4 is a weird, snaky and shadily composed Congressional district mixing two very different counties with two very different sets of priorities: Prince Georges County and Montgomery County.  PG County, longstanding seat of Black middle-class, political and economic clout in the country, is vastly different from Montco in many respects, with piling needs in a variety of critical areas.  Yet, the MD Legislature found it appropriate to mix the two – we think ultimately at the expense of PG County’s large African American electorate which could use an extra focus from senior Congressional members.   Hence, White liberal activists are found dominating politics in the district in ways that make Blacks in neighboring PG county a bit anxious.   

Contender Donna Edwards takes yet another stab at dogging incumbent Albert Wynn into submission.  You remember the caustic 2006 Democratic primary between these two; well, Wynn won that by the literal skin of his teeth as Edwards pulled together an admirable coalition of progressive activists who seethed over Wynn’s Iraq War authorization vote.  One thing you can say about Edwards is that she’s persistent and hungry – to the point where this battle is more than just two Black politicos bumping heads for a seat.  No – it’s personal. 

We’re not certain, but the interesting thing about the MD-4 race that sets it apart from other Black political battles is that its more so combat over style.  We typically see a battle between two generations: old school vs. new school.  But, Wynn and Edwards appear from similar generations, but definitely marked in difference in terms of approach.  Edwards’ pushes the usual “progressive” agenda talking points; Wynn a Black political classicist who loves being kingmaker and playing behind the scenes.   But, beneath all that is a very contentious battle between two counties: a Whiter, left-leaning coalition of progressive activists back Edwards; Wynn may be pulling much more support out of Blacker Prince George’s County, an electorate more concerned with crumbling schools and higher property taxes than with their Congressman’s war vote.   

Hence, Edwards recent endorsement from actor Danny Glover stirs some attention and placates the uber-liberal base in Montco, but does it make any headway in PG County.  We’re not so sure of that.  What we do notice and admire about Edwards is the spirited campaign she’s waging, and the fact that she’s made Education and Domestic Violence centerpieces of her platform.  Wynn doesn’t; but, we also respect the way Wynn plays the game in ways that have helped bring bacon back to his district.  Which leaves us wondering if Edwards can walk the walk needed as much as she can talk the talk that activists like.  At the end of the day, activists don’t pay mortgages, bills and groceries.