Chris Van Hollen to seek Maryland Senate seat

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., is the first major candidate to announce he is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Mikulski.

"I am writing to let you know that I have decided to run for the United States Senate from our great state of Maryland," Van Hollen said in an e-mail to supporters. "In my very first election for Congress I believed that people were tired of politics as usual, and I ran a campaign based on key issues and ideas that matter to our future. The same is true today."

Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in congressional history, announced this week that she wouldn't seek re-election in 2016.

Van Hollen, 56, is serving his seventh term in the U.S. House. He is a former chairman of the House Democrats' campaign arm, and he currently serves as ranking member on the Budget Committee.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Van Hollen may  face a crowded Democratic primary.

"Every member of the state's congressional delegation except for Rep. Steny Hoyer of Southern Maryland have expressed some interest in the seat. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is considering a run, as is former gubernatorial candidate Heather Mizeur."

Following Mikulski's Monday announcement, Rep. John Delaney tweeted that he was considering a run, and Reps. Donna Edwards and John Sarbanes have also been mentioned as possible candidates. Former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, who is considering a bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, said Tuesday he would not seek Mikulski's seat.

On the GOP side, former governor Bob Ehrlich, former lieutenant governor Michael Steele, who is also a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Rep. Andy Harris figure to generate speculation.

Check out Van Hollen's January interview with Paste BN's Susan Page.

Contributing: Cooper Allen