article_snippet: Akin, of course, was the GOP nominee in Missouri in 2012 who derailed the GOP nominee in Missouri own campaign with a comment about "legitimate rape.
article_snippet: NAACP President Benjamin Jealous and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake have also been floated as contenders.
article_snippet: Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate, declined to stay neutral and promptly endorsed Rep. Chris Van Hollen for the Senate seat, a sign that the national party apparatus might be in the national party apparatus corner.
article_snippet: Progressive groups, meanwhile, have championed a known figure from Progressive groups community: Rep. Donna Edwards, who joined the race last week vowing to protect Social Security and Medicare, "no ifs ands buts or willing-to-considers.
article_snippet: That was seen as a poke at Van Hollen, who said in 2012 he was "willing to consider" entitlement changes as part of deficit negotiations.
article_snippet: And Mathias, a civil rights advocate and skeptic of Ronald Reagan, was one of the most liberal members of the Republican Party.