By GCOMM Media Co Last night, citizens from across the City of Baltimore got an up close and personal look at the woman vying to become their next United States Senator. The only viable female candidate left in what is shaping up to be an all-male congressional ticket in Maryland's upcoming General Election, Kathy Szeliga is looking to capitalize on the fact that she is the highest ranking female Republican in the state -- and the last option for the voters of the "Free State' to have a female representing them in Washington, D.C. It also helps that she is seeking to replace the most outspoken and powerful female currently in our nation's capital, retiring U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. But being a woman is the least of what makes the 59-year old state delegate the best qualified candidate for the open Senate seat, and last night she articulated an inspiring message that made even the most skeptical Democrat proud to have met her. "Her message and life story was inspiring," says 42-year old children's advocate and father of three, Harold Diggs. "As a single father and businessman, I connected with her in a way that I just don't see her opponent being able to understand. She's the real deal, and I'm glad I came out to hear her vision for Maryland." The event, a Conversation with Kathy, was a first in a series of ongoing discussions that the second term state legislator expects to have in the coming months with citizens from across the city. "We can no longer be overlooked by the "party in charge" [Democrats], who have gotten accustomed to not having a real General Election contest, so they have taken your vote, needs and concerns for granted," said Nicolee Ambrose, the hostess of last night's event and the Republican National Committeewoman for Maryland. "Kathy is an inspirational candidate who has worked her entire life and always made a way even when there wasn't one, and that's the kind of leader we need in Washington," said Ambrose. Szeliga, who was all smiles as person after person got up to speak about the inspirational leadership she has brought to Annapolis, stood tall in front of the crowd and laid out key provisions of her vision for Maryland. "We have to ensure that the departments and agencies in the federal government first do the job they are supposed to do, and make sure that they do it in a fiscally efficient manner," said Szeliga, who continued to reiterate the meaning of insanity being that of voters voting for the same old tired politicians and expecting different results. "Isn't that what our parents told us was the definition of insanity? So let's break from that norm and vote for a true change agent to represent your interests in Washington." Szeliga spoke to her humble upbringings, meeting her husband Mark (who was also in attendance) over 35-years ago, and having $5 between them with no car and only minimum wage jobs to get them by. Having worked as a housekeeper for a company that she ultimately rose to become a manager for, she spoke to her and her husband struggling to open their own business -- a small construction company that Mark still runs -- and the proud moment twenty years ago when her children got to see her walk across the stage as she accepted her diploma from Towson University having earned a degree in Elementary Education. "I realized when I was staffer in Annapolis that there weren't enough small business owners as elected representatives, people who have an understanding of how to balance their books in order to make sure their overhead is low and their profit line is enough to make payroll each week," said Szeliga. "And there are even fewer business owners in Washington D.C. which is why we have out-of-control spending and no clear direction on how to effectively and efficiently make government work For, Of and By the People as envisioned by our Founding Fathers." But rather than speak about her humble beginnings and political roots all night, Szeliga instead spoke to the areas of concern that she saw all across the state that were shockingly evident in many neighborhoods across Baltimore. "We have a drug epidemic that has ravaged our communities and torn families apart, and it's something that I plan to work closely with Governor Larry Hogan in tackling as your next Senator," said Szeliga. Joining Szeliga were a few African American Republican candidates running for local city seats in the November elections, as well as a fellow Republican colleague of hers in Annapolis and a democratic leader on the circuit court bench. Those folks were Tamara Purnell, a candidate for the 7th district council seat; Shannon Wright, the GOP candidate for City Council President; Republican State Senator John Salley and longtime drug-court activist and leader, Judge Wanda Keyes Heard -- who was inspired by what she heard from Delegate Szeliga. "She really gets what's going on and how to address the pressing issues facing the citizens of this city," said Judge Heard, who is also on the November ballot as one of six circuit court judges who need to get elected or re-elected to their seat. And while all four of the ladies on November's ballot stood tall together for a few photo ops, each individually advocating a desire and need for "change', it was Delegate Szeliga's inspiring message that stuck with many in attendance. "Honestly, as a lifelong democrat I didn't know what to expect from this event or Kathy, but I'm somebody who puts the personality, principles and promises of the candidate ahead of party, which caused me to support Governor Hogan two years ago; and after tonight I can proudly say I'll be supporting Delegate Szeliga for U.S. Senate this fall," says Casey Jenkins, the owner of the establishment that hosted last night's event - Birldland Sports Bar and Grill. To find out more about the Kathy Szeliga for Maryland movement and candidacy, go to: www.kathyformaryland.com and stay tuned to DMVDaily.com for more information on the upcoming "Conversations with Kathy' series events happening throughout Baltimore in the coming weeks and months.

By Erin Kelly Maryland's congressional delegation is poised to become all-male for the first time in more than 40 years. The state has had at least one woman in its 10-member delegation since 1973, and its senior senator, Barbara Mikulski, has served in the Senate longer than any woman in U.S. history. But all that is about to change as Mikulski prepares to retire in January after serving a decade in the House and 30 years in the Senate. The only other woman in the Maryland delegation, Rep. Donna Edwards, will give up her House seat in January after losing the Democratic nomination to replace Mikulski to Rep. Chris Van Hollen. "It's kind of shocking to imagine Maryland without a single woman in its legislative caucus," said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. "It's not just that these women serve as role models. They also bring a different set of life experiences to governing and it affects the way Congress operates." Currently, only 14 states have all-male delegations. The timing is especially ironic for liberal Maryland since it comes in a year when a woman has the strongest chance in U.S. history to win the presidency and female candidates have become key to Democrats' hopes of taking control of the Senate from Republicans. It's not that the state is devoid of female candidates. Republican Kathy Szeliga, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, will compete against Van Hollen in November's general election for Senate. And Republican Amie Hoeber, who served as deputy undersecretary of the Army under President Reagan, won last month's GOP primary in the 6th Congressional District, represented by Democrat John Delaney. But Democrats hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans in Maryland, which has only one GOP member in its congressional delegation. Political analysts say Van Hollen and Delaney are the odds-on favorites to win their races. Still, Szeliga sees a chance to appeal to voters who want to continue Maryland's "proud tradition of diversity in the delegation." "I would never say a woman will vote for me simply because I'm a woman," she said. "We are much more thoughtful and complex than that. However, I will say that I easily see a Hillary Clinton voter that is also a Kathy Szeliga voter, whereas I don't see a Donald Trump voter that is also a Chris Van Hollen voter. So clearly there is room for crossover support." Democratic women, however, are guaranteed to disappear from the delegation after the fall election, a depressing reality for party activists who say they hope to improve that situation soon. Emerge Maryland, a political training program founded about four years ago to increase the number of Democratic women in office, has had members of its first three graduating classes elected to the state legislature, said board chairman Martha McKenna. Congressional candidates traditionally come from the ranks of state lawmakers. "We're building the pipeline," McKenna said. Whatever their party, female lawmakers tend to prioritize issues that are important to women, families and children, Walsh said. "A woman discussing how to create the best job training program targeted toward women would know that it has to include child care to succeed," she said. "It's not that men would be opposed to that. They just wouldn't think of it in the first place."

By Kathy Szeliga, Diana Waterman, and Amie Hoeber Maryland is on the verge of a very disappointing precipice. After the November elections, the Maryland congressional delegation could have no female members -- for the first time since 1973. This is especially troubling in Maryland not only because women make up about 60 percent of the electorate but also because of Maryland's long history of supporting female elected officials. As Marylanders, we pride ourselves on our diversity and inclusiveness. For more than four decades, we have understood the value of having women among those representing our state in Congress. That's why it's noteworthy that the Democrat congressional ticket has a glaringly obvious hole -- no women. In other words, if Democrats were to sweep all of the congressional elections except the 1st District, as some pundits are predicting, our congressional delegation would be made up entirely of men. That is why we agree with Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), who said, "What I want to know from my Democratic Party is …when will the voices of women . . . when will our voices be effective, legitimate equal leaders in a big-tent party?" Maryland is filled with intelligent and successful women on both sides of the aisle, including Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat, and Marjorie Holt, who, 40 years ago, was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Maryland. Holt paved the way for other Maryland women to get involved in public service, including Reps. Helen Bentley, Beverly Byron and Connie Morella, Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey and our current female members of Congress, Edwards and Mikulski. All of these women paved the way for us. It is unbelievable that Maryland Democrats do not have even one of the many strong, capable, intelligent and thoughtful women in our state among their nominees. In stark contrast to Democrats, the Republican congressional ticket includes a woman running for Senate and a woman running for the House. We are not here to play the "gender card" or tell Marylanders they should elect a woman simply because she is a woman. Being a woman should not be the only qualification for an elected official. But it should be valued: Women often make most of the household decisions, including the doctor their children visit and the food their family eats. One quarter of families in the United States are led by single mothers, and about 10 million companies in this country are woman-owned. Women bring unique perspectives and ideas to the table and their voices should be a part of the discussion. So, while some politically motivated special interest groups attempt to put women into boxes as only caring about certain social issues, we know that all issues are women's issues. Women want to keep income taxes low so they have more money to provide for their families. Women worry about the growing national debt because of the effect it will have on their children and grandchildren. Women value a diverse and comprehensive education system that truly prepares our children for the job market they will face. Women want to promote a pro-growth economic agenda to ensure their families and friends have good jobs and can support their families. And women understand the importance of having a strong national defense and well-funded first-responders to keep their families safe. As women, these are the issues we value, and these are the issues we would promote as elected officials. Women deserve a seat at the table because they bring added value to the discussion. The sentiment behind Edwards's speech is that women's voices are effective and should be heard; women are equal leaders and should be given the opportunity to lead. And we could not agree more.