Edwards pledges to get to work as Hoyer introduces new colleague

LANHAM-- Rep.-elect Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) addressed a large crowd of supporters during a victory rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26 headquarters in Lanham, this evening.

An upbeat and excited Edwards pledged to "get to work" on a day when she defeated Republican Peter James in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Al Wynn.

"We're excited about the victory and Ms. Edwards looks forward to representing the people of Maryland's 4th Congressional District," Edwards' Communications Director Dan Weber told PolitickerMD.com.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) introduced Edwards, saying he was excited to have her as a "colleague."

While ballots still need to be counted, Edwards received a clear majority of support.

In Prince George's County, with 87 of 110 precincts reporting, Edwards leads with over 92 percent of the vote.

In Montgomery County, with nearly all precincts reporting, Edwards leads by a 67.43-30.35% margin.

Edwards, 49, rose to prominence in 2006 when, as a political novice, she narrowly lost her bid to unseat Wynn, losing the Democratic primary by 3.3 points.

In 2008, Edwards focused on voters' desire for change, and defeated Wynn, an eight-term incumbent, by 25 points in the February primary.

The congresswoman-elect will likely be sworn-in within days.