While all eyes watched the 1st District race, the region’s formidable congressional incumbents in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th survived ambitious Republican challenges.
Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Roscoe Bartlett, Elijah Cummings easily defeated their challengers in districts that have been dominated by Democrats for years. Their underdog opponents accepted defeat without surprise.
“In a way, we won because we actually ran against him,” said Michael Hargadon, a Woodstock Democrat who challenged Cummings. “We raised $20,000, and nobody lost their mortgage.”
In the 2nd District, two-term incumbent Dutch Ruppersberger defeated political newcomer Richard Matthews, 28, who said he collected more votes than previous Republican challengers.
Ruppersberger said lawmakers from both parties need to come together to tackle the economy, terrorism, health care and energy.
“These issues have to be dealt with, and it’s going to take strong leadership,” Ruppersberger said.
Sarbanes, who defeated special education teacher Thomas “Pinkston” Harris, of Baltimore City, in the 3rd District, echoed Ruppersberger’s call for bipartisan leadership.
“I’m pleased I was able to get re-elected, and certainly worked hard to reach out to constituents,” Sarbanes said. “But I’m even more pleased nationally with the leadership we’ll have to work collaboratively with Congress.”
Harris, who admitted he surprised many by running, touted his rural and conservative Alabama roots as key to his values during his campaign.
“I think I did about as good as I could have under the circumstances,” Harris said, explaining how he had no money to spend on his campaign. “You can be sure, [today] will be the first day of my campaign for 2010 — I’ve become better known and I’ve gotten some respect.”
In the 6th District, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-District 6, won a contested campaign over Jennifer P. Dougherty, a former mayor of Frederick.
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Jaime Malarkey and Aleksandra Robinson contributed to this report.
