Kathleen Matthews, the wife of MSNBC personality Chris Matthews, has entered the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who is running for Senate.



Matthews on Wednesday launched her campaign for Maryland’s 8th District House seat from downtown Silver Spring, vowing to fight for a litany of liberal causes, including equal pay for women, abortion rights, and raising the minimum wage, according to The Washington Post.



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Matthews is a former local news anchor. She most recently served as an executive for Marriott Hotels but stepped down from that position last month as she geared up for the House race.Matthews’s name recognition, and her family’s deep political ties, could help her stand apart from the huge field of Democrats seeking to replace Van Hollen.Still, she’s never run for elected office before and faces a deep field of experienced state-level officials in the primary.So far, Maryland Dels. Kumar Barve and Ana Sol Gutierrez are in the race, along with Will Jawando, a former aide to President Obama, and state Sen. Jamie Raskin.A handful of other Maryland delegates and county officials are also believed to be eyeing the race in a safe Democratic district.

Van Hollen cannot run for reelection to the House because he is seeking the Senate seat left open by the retirement of Sen. Barbara Mikulski Barbara Ann MikulskiForeign policy congressional committees need to call more women experts Lobbying World Only four Dem senators have endorsed 2020 candidates MORE (D-Md.). Maryland law prevents candidates from running for both.