Baltimore Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume won his bid for a new U.S. House term Tuesday against Republican Kimberly Klacik, who raised $7 million after President Donald Trump shared her campaign video.
After winning an April special election, Mfume, 72, held on to Maryland’s 7th District, long represented by his late friend Elijah Cummings — and by Mfume for 10 years before that. Klacik, 38, a Republican commentator, attracted a wide conservative following after being endorsed by Trump and speaking at the Republican National Convention in August.
“We gave it our best shot! So proud of my team,” Klacik tweeted. She congratulated Mfume, adding: “Prepare to be held accountable like never before.”
Mfume addressed supporters in Baltimore, saying voters had “spoken loudly and clearly” and that he would be an “independent voice.”
Maryland’s other seven U.S. House members — all men — won new terms. All are Democrats except Republican Andy Harris, whose 1st District includes the Eastern Shore and parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties.
Harris, seeking a sixth term, defeated Mia Mason, a military veteran and transgender activist.
In other races, ninth-term Democratic Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Baltimore County defeated Republican state Sen. Johnny Ray Salling in the 2nd District; and John Sarbanes, a seventh-term Baltimore County Democrat, beat Republican Charles Anthony, a retired hospital administrator, in the 3rd District.