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Friends -

I have about 15 minutes of free time in my schedule today. I know that doesn’t sound like an extraordinary amount of time, but let me promise you that with a schedule like mine, it’s an absolute gift.

I know you probably get a good amount of emails, so I wanted to take this time to tell you about my decision to run for office in the first place, and why your support is so important.

The truth is, when my wife Katherine and I first decided I’d run for the Maryland state legislature, we didn't really think about how this would change our lives. We both believed strongly in the power of government to help people and that seemed like enough. We actually made our campaign mailers at our kitchen table and the food for our fundraisers so we could pay the printers! And thanks to the support and love from a lot of people, I won my first election as part of the “Choice Team” that unseated an incumbent opposed to reproductive rights.

I was later elected to the House by a wave of grassroots support led by folks I had worked with to champion education, environment, gun safety and social justice issues. In Congress I authored the original DISCLOSE Act to end secret money in our elections and helped lead the fight for access to affordable health care, wall street reform, and prioritizing the needs of American families and to push back against the Tea Party’s attacks on Medicare, Social Security and programs for the most needy.

But after a number of terms, I decided to run for the Senate to represent all Marylanders. Again, we weren’t sure what to expect. But as has been a constant refrain every step of the way,, anything I’ve been able to accomplish has been because of the support of a lot of people stepping up to help. No one accomplishes something like this all by themselves. It takes a large group of folks who believe in the potential of our democracy, in progress and working for positive change.

But now we have our next challenge — my first Senate re-election. And if we’re going to win again, it’s going to take a similar level of support from supporters like you.

So please:

Can you make a CONTRIBUTE $3 contribution to my re-election campaign for U.S. Senate in Maryland? The amount of the donation isn’t nearly as important as the number of donations we receive. It all adds up when everyone is chipping in. [[link removed]]

Nothing less than control of the Senate, and any chance at progress is at stake in this race.

CONTRIBUTE $3 [[link removed]]

Thank you so much. For everything.

Onwards,

Chris

Paid for by Van Hollen for Senate

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