WASHINGTON — Former Western Maryland Rep. David Trone will try to reclaim his old congressional seat in 2026. Trone filed his candidacy on Thursday, setting up a potentially expensive clash with incumbent Rep. April McClain Delaney in the Democratic primary.

“The people of Maryland’s 6th District need a fighter who will stand up against these attacks every single day. I’ve never been someone who stood on the sidelines when I saw something wrong, and now more than ever, I cannot sit by. That’s why I’m running for Congress,” Trone said in a statement Thursday announcing his campaign.

A prominent Maryland business owner, Trone ran for U.S. Senate instead of reelection to the House of Representatives in 2024 to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, but was defeated by Angela Alsobrooks in an expensive Democratic primary. A wealthy entrepreneur who owns Total Wine & More, Trone pumped over $60 million of his fortune into his Senate campaign against Alsobrooks, who was then the Prince George’s County executive. During the Senate race, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown was the only statewide official to endorse Trone instead of Alsobrooks.

Brown announced in November that he’s endorsing McClain Delaney.

“David Trone thinks I should ‘step aside’ so he can have his old office back after he abandoned the district to run and lose for Senate. He has the arrogance of a Trump. But not so fast,” McClain Delaney said in a statement, adding that she’ll “continue to take on Trump’s assault on our government workers, defend our diverse community, protect choice and women’s reproductive rights and work against inflation-creating tariffs.”

Trone was rumored to be eyeing his old seat for some time. A former staffer previously told The Baltimore Sun that he was considering challenging McClain Delaney.

McClain Delaney is also wealthy. Her husband, former Rep. John Delaney, is a financial executive who is reportedly worth over $90 million. McClain Delaney self-financed part of her campaign in 2024.

Trone was first elected to Congress in 2018. McClain Delaney was elected to replace him in the 6th District.

Among the Republicans who have filed are political newcomer Chris Burnett, frequent candidate Robin Ficker, and former state Del. Neil Parrott, whom McClain Delaney defeated in the general election last year. The district includes a portion of Montgomery County, and spans Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties.

In his announcement, Trone indicated that his campaign against McClain Delaney would come from her left politically, intending to paint her as a Democrat who has dodged right on certain issues.

“Donald Trump is swinging a wrecking ball at our country and our democracy,” Trone said in the statement. “In Congress, I confronted him head-on — voting twice to impeach him and backing reforms to rein in his abuse of power. I’ve fought politicians who use their office for self-interest, defended women’s access to abortion, and have been unequivocal in my support of immigrant families in the face of Republican attacks. We can’t have any Democrats in Congress siding with Trump and MAGA Republicans.”

Amid reports of Trone’s interest, McClain Delaney moved swiftly earlier this year to consolidate the support of state officials and congressional lawmakers. Her October reelection announcement included endorsements from Gov. Wes Moore and every Democrat in Maryland’s congressional delegation.

_____

©2025 The Baltimore Sun. Visit at baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.