Economic Crisis at Issue in Fall Rematch

Democrat Edwards, Republican James Disagree About Federal Bailout

Voters in parts of Prince George's and Montgomery counties may experience a bit of deja vu on Election Day when they get to the portion of their ballot for their congressional representative: Democrat Donna F. Edwards and Republican Peter James will appear as candidates in Maryland's 4th District for the third time this year.

The electoral quirk developed after Edwards, a nonprofit executive from Fort Washington, defeated eight-term Rep. Albert R. Wynn for their party's nomination in the February primary. Her win set up a Nov. 4 contest with James, a high-tech developer from Germantown.

Edwards's defeat of Wynn, in one of the most high-profile primaries in the country, was stunning and overwhelming. Progressives from across the United States backed her effort, convinced that Wynn had moved too far to the right on the Iraq war and energy policy. Three months after the loss, Wynn unexpectedly resigned, leaving seven months before his term expired.

That set up a special election in June between Edwards and James for the right to serve as a caretaker for Wynn's seat through January. Edwards, 50, won the low-turnout election handily and was sworn in a few days later. She was the first black woman elected to Congress from Maryland.

The financial crisis has forced Edwards to adjust quickly to her responsibilities. As she hired staff and set up her office, she waded into some of Congress's most difficult issues.

Her most prominent moment took place as Congress debated the $700 billion financial bailout bill last month. Edwards was one of 95 Democrats who voted against the bill when it was first presented in the House. She said the measure did not do enough to help the struggling working class.

Five days later, she switched her vote, helping secure its passage in a second effort. She said she did so after an appeal from Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the Democratic presidential candidate, and after she heard from constituents fearful about retirement funds and unable to get loans.

The vote brought cries of betrayal on some of the same liberal blogs that had enthusiastically supported her against Wynn. She said she is prepared to defend her vote at town hall meetings and in calls to critics.

"What I want people to do is to judge me over a period of time," she said. "I've never believed that any one vote is a reflection of one's overall political philosophy."

Progressive supporters were more cheered when Edwards bucked her party's leadership on only her second day in office and voted against the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or FISA. She opposed legal immunity for telecommunications companies that cooperated with the Bush administration's warrantless-wiretapping program.

Edwards said she has mostly been trying to get up to speed on Congress's day-to-day work. She recalled a recent subcommittee discussion about a proposed railroad merger in which she raised questions about workers' rights and environmental issues.

"I've asked questions that were not on the table before," she said. "I can feel it."