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BALTIMORE — Democrat April McClain Delaney has secured a narrow victory in one of Maryland’s most closely contested congressional races, a campaign that prominently featured issues surrounding reproductive rights and economic concerns.
The expansive 6th Congressional District includes a mix of rural areas and affluent, liberal suburbs near Washington, D.C. The outcome of this tight race was not officially announced until Saturday, four days post-Election Day.
Upon declaring victory on Friday, McClain Delaney expressed her gratitude, stating she felt “deeply honored and humbled” by the faith shown in her by the electorate.
“From the outset of this campaign, our message has remained firm: we need pragmatic leadership that prioritizes people over political agendas, upholds our freedoms and values, and fosters a unity-driven future,” she remarked.
A mother of four daughters and the spouse of a former representative of the district, McClain Delaney campaigned extensively on women’s issues. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, she pledged to safeguard reproductive freedoms.
McClain Delaney, who is 60 and has experience in the Biden administration’s Department of Commerce, has dedicated much of her professional life to enhancing children’s online security.
She portrayed her opponent, Republican Neil Parrott, as an extreme conservative. Describing herself as the daughter of an Idaho potato farmer, she asserted her capability to engage Washington lawmakers on behalf of working families.
“We must shift away from the divisive and toxic partisanship that is tearing at the fabric of our nation,” she told a reporter from the Associated Press in a recent discussion.
Having run for this position three times, Parrott worked to divert attention from the topic of abortion during the campaign. Despite having consistently conveyed his anti-abortion stance over his 12-year tenure in the Maryland State House, he often sidestepped inquiries related to the issue.
Instead, Parrott, 54, focused on his objectives of combating inflation, bolstering the economy for middle-class families, and addressing illegal immigration—positions commonly associated with Republican rhetoric that was frequently highlighted by President-elect Donald Trump.
Parrott criticized McClain Delaney for residing outside the district, claiming it made her disconnected from the challenges faced by local constituents. However, House representatives are only mandated to live within the state they represent.
Even after the Associated Press officially called the race late Saturday, Parrott did not concede. “I am immensely grateful for the considerable effort contributed by our volunteers across all five counties. Due to this dedication and perseverance, the Parrott campaign will await the final vote tally before making any declarations regarding victory or defeat,” he communicated via a text message.
In an effort to boost her campaign, McClain Delaney utilized personal funds, significantly outspending her rival. She received notable endorsements from prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin.
Additionally, just hours ahead of Election Day, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise made an appearance in western Maryland to express his support for Parrott, describing him as “an engineer who knows how to break the gridlock in Washington.”
Conversely, McClain Delaney drew attention to her campaign in a suburban area of Washington where she was accompanied by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, emphasizing the necessity of fortifying the Democratic presence in Congress, particularly as Republicans aimed to maintain a narrow majority in the House.
This House seat had been left open by David Trone, who sought a Senate position but lost to Angela Alsobrooks in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Alsobrooks subsequently made history by winning election to the U.S. Senate as the first Black candidate from Maryland.
Historically, the 6th District has not consistently favored Democrats; it was represented by Republican Roscoe Bartlett for two decades prior to McClain Delaney’s husband, John Delaney, securing the seat in 2012, following a redistricting that benefitted Democratic candidates.
Source
abcnews.go.com