Combat Veteran From Severna Park Running For US Senate

SEVERNA PARK, MD - A combat veteran from Severna Park on Tuesday announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate.

Democrat Juan Dominguez, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, hopes to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D).

Dominguez served in the Gulf War and is a second-generation Cuban-American.

Now a telecommunications executive, Dominguez said his campaign will focus on:

• "The Right to a Living Wage in Maryland"
• "Healthcare Access for All"
• "The Right to a Great Education, Job Training, and Career Readiness"

"At the heart of our campaign lies the belief that every individual’s labor should be valued and compensated fairly. The idea of a living wage is not just an economic concept and it isn’t about handouts; it’s about dignity and stability," Dominguez said in a press release. "When people don’t have to worry about making ends meet, they can support their families, contribute to their communities, and pursue their dreams."

Dominguez also wants to improve the student debt situation.

"Our campaign envisions a future where pursuing higher education is a pursuit of knowledge and growth, not a burden of debt," he said.

Dominguez joins a crowded Democratic primary field. 

The Maryland State Board of Elections lists the current Democratic candidates for the 2024 senatorial election as :

• Brian E. Frydenborg of Montgomery County
• Steven Henry Seuferer of Montgomery County
• Andrew Jaye Wildman of Carroll County

A few candidates publicly declared their candidacy but don't yet appear on the state's candidate listings. Those include:

• David Trone, the current U.S. Representative for Maryland's 6th Congressional District and the co-owner of Total Wine
• Angela Alsobrooks, the current Prince George's County executive
• Will Jawando, the Montgomery County Council member at large

These three candidates are seen as the current frontrunners. 

Trone already has Congressional experience. Alsobrooks is endorsed by Maryland's other senator, Chris Van Hollen (D). Jawando represents every resident of the state's largest county.

Dominguez hopes to shake up these ranks. He graduated from West Point in 1989 and then served as a platoon leader in the Gulf War. 

"Those who served our country deserve the best mental and physical healthcare," Dominguez said. "As your next Senator, I will bring my perspective as a veteran who lives with PTSD to Capitol Hill and carry my fellow servicemen and women with me, always."

Dominguez has been married for over 15 years and lives in Anne Arundel County with his wife, Cheyenne, and their two sons. More information on his campaign is posted at juanformaryland.com.

On the other side of the ticket, the Republican candidates listed are Ray Bly of Howard County and Lorie R. Friend of Garrett County.

Moshe Y. Landman, a Green Party representative from Montgomery County, and Emmanuel O. Osuchukwu, an unaffiliated candidate from Baltimore County, will both appear on the General Election ballot only.

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