Mikulski 'Comfortable' Handing Van Hollen Senate Seat

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Maryland congressman Chris Van Hollen won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Barbara Mikulski on Tuesday in a polarizing battle over race and gender.

He defeated fellow House member Donna Edwards by winning more than half the votes in a 10-way contest. Edwards got about 40 percent.

Van Hollen, who is white, ran on his record as a pragmatic progressive capable of reaching across the political aisle to get things done. Edwards campaigned as a candidate committed to liberal principles in her quest to become the nation's second black female senator.

Van Hollen will face Republican state Del. Kathy Szeliga in the Nov. 8 general election.

Mikulski, who is retiring, held the seat for 30 years in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1.