Ex-White House Contender Marianne Williamson Backs Hoyer Foe in Dem Primary

Marianne Williamson, the author and New Age-y erstwhile candidate for president, has endorsed the longshot candidate seeking to oust U.S. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer in the April 28 Democratic primary.

In a tweet Monday evening, Williamson called Mckayla Wilkes’ challenge to Hoyer “one of the most important congressional races in the country.” Wilkes, she continued, “has a deeply inspiring story and she’s just the kind of woman we need in Congress.”

Wilkes, a 29-year-old college student and former policy analyst at the Pentagon, is hoping to emulate freshman U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who upset a powerful veteran lawmaker in the 2018 Democratic primary. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Wilkes is running unabashedly to Hoyer’s left, suggesting it’s time for a new generation of leaders to represent Maryland. Hoyer, who is 80, has held the 5th District congressional seat since winning a special election in 1981.

“It’s an honor to have Marianne’s support,” Wilkes said in a statement. “Her strong stances on Reparations and foreign policy were beneficial to the conversation and greatly appreciated during her presidential run. I’m happy to have her support.”

This is Williamson’s second endorsement in a Maryland election this year. Last month, she backed state Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) in the special election to replace the late U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D).

Carter finished third in last week’s 24-candidate special Democratic primary, but has chosen to compete in the regular April 28 primary for a full-term, on the theory that the electorate then will be bigger and more favorable. Former U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who is heavily favored to win the special general election on April 28, will also appear on the Democratic primary ballot the same day.

Williamson’s endorsement of Carter was reciprocal: Last year, Carter said she was supporting Williamson’s presidential bid.

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