Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski made it official on Friday: she's running for re-election.
Mikulski, a Democrat, kicked off her campaign with a morning event at Jimmy's restaurant in Fells Point, a political hang-out for years.
"It would be my honor to keep trying to level the playing field for middle-class families," Mikulski said in a statement released by her campaign. "To keep standing up to the big insurance companies, to the big drug companies and anyone else standing in the way of the little guy or gal getting their piece of the American dream."
Mikulski, 73, is seeking her 5th term as a senator at a time when anti-incumbent sentiment is running high nationally. Still, she consistently ranks as one of the most popular politicians in Maryland, and is an energetic campaigner and effective stump-speaker. Having her at the top of the ticket could help other more-vulnerable Democrats seeking office this year, such as Gov. Martin O'Malley and Rep. Frank Kratovil, of the 1st District.
Mikulski had $2.7 million in available campaign cash as of the most recent reporting period, according to the Baltimore Sun's Paul West.
Among the Republicans seeking the nomination: Eric Wargotz, a physician and Queen Anne's County commissioner, had $112,000 available, after loaning himself $75,000; and James B. Rutledge III, a Harford County lawyer, who had $4,000 available (after giving his campaign a $25,000 personal loan.)
Mikulski planned to follow the Friday announcement with a statewide tour running through Sunday.