U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards has announced her plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2016.
Edwards (D-Md.) will run for Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski's soon-to-be open seat. Mikulski (D-Md.), the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, announced her plans to retire after 30 years earlier this month.
Edwards currently represents Maryland's 4th District, which covers parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties.
Edwards, who was the first African American woman to be elected to Congress from Maryland, has the backing of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, as well as other progressive groups, NBC News reports.
But Edwards is not the first to announce her candidacy.
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced his own plans to run for Mikulski's seat last week.
Following his announcement, Van Hollen received the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). The endorsement came hours after the New York Times published an interview with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi where she said she was encouraging Van Hollen not to run.
Van Hollen represents Maryland's 8th District, which includes portions of Montgomery County and stretches north to portions of Frederick and Carroll counties.
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Other Democrats and Republicans have also expressed interest in the seat.
