Chris Van Hollen

Democrats Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen have been chosen to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week. The two U.S. Representatives will be the only two members of either major party’s Maryland delegation to be speaking at either party's national convention.

Details regarding Tuesday’s speeches at the Democratic convention are still unclear. However, the evening’s theme will focus on “renewing America’s promise” and a statement confirms the gist of Van Hollen’s speech will be geared towards rising stars in Congress.

U.S. Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) and Eric Cantor (R-Va.)This Sunday, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) will go on CNN in his capacity as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman to face off against his Virginian colleague Eric Cantor, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Republicans and a potential vice presidential candidate for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The two will debate late in Sunday's episode of 'Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.'

Cantor became a dark-horse vice-presidential prospect early this month when news leaked that the McCain campaign had asked him to submit to vetting. He is the highest ranking Jewish Republican in Washington and from what may be a critical swing state this November.

Van Hollen last appeared on Late Edition in June.

The Hill reports that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will be making stops in a total of 18 congressional districts in the Northeast and Midwest during the summer recess. And even though he's made numerous appearances in the region on behalf of Pennsylvania Republican candidates, his tour will not include Maryland's 1st.

Maryland's 1st Congressional District is on a list of the most-competitive U.S. House races in the country, a new Politicker.com report shows.

The race, between Republican state Sen. Andy Harris and Democrat Frank Kratovil's in the Eastern Shore-based district, ranks as the 51st most-competitive House race of the 435 taking place this year.

"Andy Harris's impressive primary win over incumbent Republican Wayne Gilchrest demonstrated he knows how to win," said Politicker.com Managing Editor James Pindell, author of The Pindell Report. "And understandably Democrats in the state, particularly Chris Van Hollen see this seat as an opportunity," referring to the Kensington lawmaker who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen says he's busy now, but might debate Republican Steve Hudson in the fall
Republican Steve Hudson wants to debate his opponent in the eighth district congressional race, but that won't happen anytime soon.  U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D-Kensington) says he's busy being a Congressman, but said he might consider debating in the fall.

"Right now I'm very focused on my duties in Congress. We've got a lot of legislation to pass," Van Hollen told PolitickerMD.com while attending a Democratic fundraiser in Baltimore last night. "At some point in the fall we may be able to do something like that."

Hudson sent an e-mail to Van Hollen on Wednesday asking for a series of debates or joint town hall meetings. 

Prominent political observer Stu Rothenberg put out his latest House rankings on Tuesday, and yet again, the 1st District was not on his list of competitive races -- meaning it's safe for the incumbent party and its nominee, Andy Harris.

But that doesn't mean Rothenberg hasn't noticed Democratic challenger Frank Kratovil.

Yesterday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dropped another $18 million on 20 House races.

While this push mostly included those who had been passed over for the $35 million ad-buy, yet again, First district Democrat Frank Kratovil – the would-be delegation-mate of the powerful DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer – was not selected.

The Maryland Republican Party welcomed John McCain to the Free State on Tuesday as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee heads to town for a fundraiser in Baltimore on Tuesday evening. Prior to praising McCain, the MDGOP took the opportunity to take a crack at some of its Democratic rivals.

“Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Elijah Cummings, and Attorney General Doug Gansler were among the politicians present at a ‘Bash McCain’ press conference,” said MDGOP Chairman Jim Pelura in a statement. The three lawmakers attended a “McSame as Bush” news conference in Baltimore on Monday, in light of McCain’s visit to the state.

Republican Steve Hudson, who is running for Congress in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, reported $9,484 contributions in the second quarter and $3,500.02 cash on hand according to Federal Elections Commission reports.

Hudson has received $21,275.97 in contributions to date for this election.

Hudson, an ophthalmologist, is challenging U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington), who also serves as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Records for Van Hollen were unavailable.

Navigating around easy obstacles (and a bit of flexibility with Route 50's speed limit) made it a good week for some, while the failure of the rubber to meet the road caused a couple of flat tires. 

Pull over to Maryland's Winners and Losers for July 18, 2008. CLICK HERE.