Friday, January 23, 2015

Maryland Democrats w/New Found Clout

Chris Van Hollen / Dutch Ruppersberger

from the Baltimore Sun
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Montgomery County lawmaker frequently at the center of Democratic messaging on the economy, will serve as the top campaign fundraiser for House Democrats in the next election.

The assignment, first reported by The Washington Post, marks a return for Van Hollen to the nation's swingiest and priciest House districts. The top-ranking Democrat on the Budget Committee also served as chairman of the DCCC during the 2008 and 2010 cycles.

Often mentioned as a possible successor to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Van Hollen has recently gained attention for his role in bringing home an aid worker jailed in Cuba since 2009. Alan Gross was a Potomac resident while traveling in Cuba as a subcontractor to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Another Maryland Democrat, Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, announced Wednesday that he will return to his seat on the House Appropriations Committee after serving four years as the top-ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

The Baltimore County lawmaker has emerged as a leading voice for his party on cyber security at a critical time.

"Our country will continue to face economic challenges over the next two years and all members of the Appropriations Committee share a tremendous responsibility to allocate precious tax dollars as efficiently as possible," Ruppersberger said in a statement. "This is a responsibility I take seriously."

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