Rep. Chris Van Hollen says he’s always been focused on action and results, and a proponent of economic opportunity and social justice –“not just in words but in deeds.”
He is counting on those characteristics to put him on top in a tight race for the U.S. Senate against colleague Rep. Donna Edwards.
An attorney, Van Hollen practiced law in the private sector before pursuing a career in public service. In 1991, he ran and won a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, then four years later beat the well-financed Mark Kennedy Shriver by three percentage points in the race for state Senate. He served there until 2002, then ran for the U.S. House of Representative for
District 8, which covers Montgomery County and parts of Carroll and Frederick counties and is considered one of the weathiest congressional districts in the nation.
“I have devoted my public life so that everyone gets a fair chance and a fair shake,” he says.
His major achievement, Van Hollen says, has been working with President Barack Obama to pass key legislation. “I was part of the leadership team that passed Obamacare, that passed Wall Street reform legislation to rein in the big banks, and to pass the economic recovery bill which helped stop the free fall in the economy,” he says. “I am also proud to have led the fight to end the outrageous profits that big banks were getting at the expense of the student loan program.”
When speaking to voters in the northwest, Van Hollen says certain issues rise to the top of their priority list of concerns: more economic opportunities to the county, a better transportation system that links people from their homes to their jobs, and educational initiatives, such as a school construction program and smaller classrooms.
A ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, Van Hollen noted that he has been endorsed “by every single Democrat on Baltimore County Council and people like Sen. Delores Kelley because of my belief that we can partner together to get things done.”
When asked about how important the Baltimore County vote is to the Senate race, he says, “It’s very important because Baltimore County is a vital part of our state.“ Protecting and expanding federal assets, such as the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, is a priority, he says.
About the importance of blacks and women in the election, Van Hollen says, “African-American voters and women voters are very focused on trying to make sure we achieve important results together for community,” such as investments for early education and a college system that allows people to graduate without debt.
Still, with the long list of endorsements and fundraising advantage, Van Hollen finds himself, just weeks from Election Day, in a close race with his challenger. “I will continue to talk to voters, and I have a major grassroots effort going. It’s important that Democrats regain the majority in the Senate.”
He’s getting some assistance from daughter Anna, 25, a social media guru, sons Nick, 23, and Alex, 20, and his wife, Katherine.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Van Hollen is the eldest of three children. His father, a Baltimore City native and Navy veteran, worked overseas for the Foreign Service and his mother worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department. The family returned to the States when he was middle school age.
As a college student, Van Hollen says he became was a leader in the anti-apartheid movement to get the school to divest funds corporations doing business from South Africa. It was an important lesson on how “grassroots activism is the fuel can propel change. I’ve seen my role in Congress being part of that.”
He recalls the times he traveled with fellow representative and civil rights activist John Lewis on a three separate pilgrimages to Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma, Ala., taking one of his children on each visit as a learning experience.
Looking back on how he has helped some of his constituents, Van Hollen recalls a young man named Matthew who faced with a poor prognosis for brain cancer. “I focused on increasing our funding at places like NIH so we can provide the resources for individuals and families stricken by diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc.” He believes that the research and experimental efforts helped save Matthew’s life.
“One of my favorite phrases is that we need dreamers and we need doers, and I am a dreamer and a doer.”
After a hard fought election, what will he be doing on April 27? “Hopefully preparing for the run in the General Election to make sure … after taking a moment’s breather.”