Rep. Donna Edwards Reportedly Running For Senate In Maryland

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) will announce Tuesday her candidacy for Senate in the state of Maryland, according to two Democrats who confirmed the congresswoman's plans with The Washington Post.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski's (D-Md.) decision to retire at the end of her term in 2016 set off a wild scramble among Democrats. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has already announced his intention to run, and with Edwards in the mix, it will likely turn the primary into a heated contest between two well-liked Democrats.

Van Hollen, a proven fundraiser and member of House Democratic leadership, has already picked up an endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Edwards has the backing of a number of progressive organizations: the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy For America, Blue America and other Maryland-based progressive groups. She would also be a likely beneficiary of Emily’s List, a pro-choice group that works to elect Democratic women to office.

The three-term congresswoman said earlier this week that she was "seriously considering" jumping into the fray. But her decision to run may have been unintentionally revealed on Sunday, when an NBC Capitol Hill reporter spotted Edwards filming a message with "a large production crew" in National Harbor, Maryland.

"Edwards was talking to cam w/ prompter, w/ Natl Harbor/Woodrow Wilson Bridge as backdrop, her office wouldn't comment on what she was taping," tweeted Frank Thorp, who was jogging nearby.

Other possible candidates in the crowded Democratic primary include Reps. Elijah Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Delaney and John Sarbanes. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez have also been mentioned as potential candidates.