Lih Young

October 3, 2008 - 11:04am

MD-8 challengers unload on Van Hollen, despite his absence

By Danny Reiter, PolitickerMD.com Reporter

Gordon Clark (left), Steve Hudson, Bill Parsons, Deborah Vollmer and Lih Young: Politicker Photo

ROCKVILLE -- Just because he was absent, doesn't mean Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D) wasn't the 600-pound gorilla in the room at Thursday's debate. Van Hollen, required to attend an impromptu caucus meeting on an emergency financial program, sent legislative director Bill Parsons in his stead. And the challengers, all eager to give the incumbent a piece of their mind, were forced to settle for the stand-in.

14th time's a charm?

By Wally Edge

Filing her paperwork to challenge Rep. Chris Van Hollen in the Democratic primary today is the eccentric Rockville economist, Lih Young.

This is Young's fourteenth bid for public office, having previously sought positions like Rockville mayor in 1997 and 1999, state Senator in 1994, state comptroller in 1998 and 2002 (twice) and, most recently, U.S. Senator in 2006 (twice).

2008 is the third time she has challenged Van Hollen (twice in the general, once in a primary) and the fifth time she's run for the 8th District seat in one form or another.