U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin declared a Democratic primary victory over challenger Kweisi Mfume early this morning, setting the stage for a showdown with Republican primary winner Lt. Gov. Michael Steele for the first open U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 20 years.

Final election results had not been announced at press time due to glitches at both Baltimore and Montgomery County polling sites, butThe Associated Press reported Cardin led by eight points with 70 percent of precincts reporting.

“Maryland is looking for another Sarbanes,” said Denise Riley, the AFL-CIO political director for Maryland and Washington, as she waited for election results. “[Cardin] can’t replace Sarbanes, but I feel like he can fill his shoes, and I know he can win.”

Cardin, Mfume and Steele have all made College Park a campaign stop this year. Cardin visited directly with students at Hillel barbeque last week. Mfume met with the Greater Laurel-Beltsville Democratic Club at Plato’s Diner in May.

Cardin also appeared in November with U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) to decry the Higher Education Act’s $15 billion cut at the Stamp Student Union. Both Cardin and Steele have promised to increase funding for tuition assistance and Federal Pell Grants if elected. Unlike his Democratic challenger, Steele has defended the price of in-state tuition, describing it as “middle of the park.”

Cardin was one of the most accomplished and youngest speakers of the house from 1979 until he joined Congress.

While in Congress, Cardin has established an impressive legislative resume, working often with Republicans on Internal Revenue Service reform and health care. He voted against the war in Iraq and favors the withdrawl of U.S. forces.

As the night drew on, Mfume’s supporters remained optimistic in spite of his dwindling chances.

“I think the outcome will go to Mfume,” said his spokesman Mark Clack. “He did a decent job maintaining momentum in the last days of the campaign.”

Mfume grew up on Baltimore’s impoverished, violent streets. After his mother’s death, he dropped out of school at 16, joined a gang and became a teenage parent. As an adult, he turned his life around and joined the Baltimore City Council.

In 1986, Mfume was also elected to the House of Representatives, the beginning of a decade-long Congressional career where he often worked side-by-side with Cardin. He also served as president of the NAACP beginning in 1996 until he left that position for his Senate run.

The Democratic primary battle for U.S. Senate featured 18 candidates, including American University professor Allan Lichtman, Montgomery County businessman Josh Rales and former Baltimore County Executive Dennis Rasmussen.

According to The Associated Press at press time, Cardin led Mfume by eight percentage points, with 70 percent of precincts reporting.

Contact reporters Ben Block and Kailyn Seith at blockdbk@gmail.com.