Mr. Van Hollen's office has a well-earned stellar reputation for responsiveness, attention to details and speedy resolution to the toughest challenges a constituent can present. I witnessed this reputation in action when our offices had shared portfolios for neighbors with complicated needs. Unfortunately, I also saw the opposite extreme on display in Ms. Edwards' office. A familiar pattern emerged over the years for many of my constituents living in that district: No matter how often you called or emailed or pleaded in person to get attention to your problem, it would often be ignored. I know from experience that any public official can get overwhelmed with their duties and unknowingly allow an occasional request to fall through the cracks. It is embarrassing, but not uncommon. I have sympathy for that. But for a legislator to have a consistent record of not responding to the needs of constituents is akin to malpractice in our field.