WASHINGTON — Montgomery County businessman David Trone is entering the crowded race for Maryland’s 8th congressional district, which now includes a dozen candidates.
Trone, the co-founder of Bethesda-based Total Wine & More, is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
In a statement released Thursday, Trone said he will not accept contributions from lobbyists or political action committees.
He joins a Democratic field that includes former WJLA news anchor Kathleen Matthews, state Sen. Jamie Raskin, Delegates Kumar Barve, and Ana Sol-Gutierrez, nonprofit executive David Anderson, plus Joel Rubin and Will Jawando, who both served in the Obama administration.
The filing deadline to run in the April 26 primary is Feb. 3.
Also seeking the seat in the heavily Democratic district are several Republicans: Silver Spring lawyer Shelly Skolnick and Liz Matory, a former independent, have filed to run. Business consultant Gus Alzona and financial adviser Aryeh Shudofsky are both expected to file to run.
The general election is Nov. 8.
