Voters in Maryland's Fourth Congressional District, in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, are hitting the polls today to replace outgoing Rep. Albert Wynn, who, after being defeated in the February 12 Democratic primary, resigned at the end of May to work for a lobbying group .

Non-profit executive Donna Edwards crushed Wynn by 22 points in the primary. The two previously met in the 2006 primary, when Edwards came within less than 3,000 votes of defeating Wynn, a clear sign that the incumbent was vulnerable to competition from the left. Edwards used a similar campaign strategy this year, though with more campaign funds, a smart move in a district that gave John Kerry 78% of the vote in 2004 and Al Gore 77% in 2000.

Edwards is now facing Republican Peter James in today's special election, and the two are set to meet again in the November general election. Edwards is expected to breeze past James, who has the endorsement of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, in both elections. Republicans have not had much luck here since redistricting in the 1990s; Wynn, first elected in 1992, never won with less than 75% of the vote.

Though stranger things have happened during this election cycle, this special will likely be the last of twelve special elections to fill vacant House seats during the 110th Congress.

--Kyle Trygstad