Van Susteren drops bid for U.S. Senate

Friday, April 28, 2006

‘‘I entered the race to win, and when it became clear that we were not going to have the resources that we needed to win, we decided to withdraw,” Van Susteren said on Friday.

Since declaring her candidacy in September, the sister of Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren raised almost $500,000. In comparison, U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md., 3rd), the race’s leading fundraiser, has accumulated nearly $4 million.

A handful of Democratic candidates still remain in a crowded field hoping to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes.

Van Susteren, 55, a forensic psychiatrist and first-time candidate for public office, plans to reopen her medical practice in Bethesda, but is not ruling out future political involvement.

In an e-mail to campaign supporters, Van Susteren stressed the importance of diverse occupational backgrounds and gender balance in public office.

‘‘Women often provide a more collaborative approach to leadership. I am convinced that if there were more women in government all over the world, we would have a safer and more peaceful place to live.”

The race for the Democratic nomination is down to Cardin, former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume, history professor Allan J. Lichtman, businessman Joshua Rales and former Baltimore county executive Dennis F. Rasmussen. The winner of the Sept. 12 primary will likely face Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele (R) in November.

Van Susteren did not endorse one of her former Democratic opponents, but pledged to help the eventual nominee retain Sarbanes’ seat.

Going green

Registered Green Party members from St. Mary’s, Calvert or Charles counties may vote from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 12 to nominate candidates who have declared to run for office as Green Party candidates in Maryland, if the candidate is running for an office in their district.

Voting will take place at 43244 Gum Spring Drive in Leonardtown, or an absentee ballot can be requested.

For more information, call Chris Schmitthenner at 301-472-4279 or e-mail him at somdgreen@yahoo.com.

Staff writer Janel Davis contributed to this report.