MARYLAND, USA — The Maryland U.S. Senate race to replace Ben Cardin has hit a cadence, with leading contenders Angela Alsobrooks and David Trone securing important endorsements.
But also in the race, is Juan Dominguez.
"Once we felt...this is what I was meant to do at this time in my life, we jumped in formally and announced our campaign officially on September 6," said Dominguez about being one of the last candidates to formally enter the race.
The former Army officer and tech executive has been getting the word out about his senate campaign in a decked out van; his face along with a shining grin plastered on the side.
"I think if you look at three things -- military service, private sector and a little bit of public sector -- there's no other candidate in this race that captures all three," Dominguez said about what helps him standout in a crowded race where the leading contenders have all but consumed much of the oxygen in the race.
Dominguez is leaning into his limited name recognition as a selling point, believing as an 'outsider' he can appeal to voters looking for alternative candidates.
"Seventy-seven percent of Americans, including Marylanders, don't trust their elected officials," he said. "I dare say that's the disadvantage that my opponents have and the folks that are endorsing them come from the same ilk."
More and more voters are beginning to turn their attention to the race. One of the top issues Marylanders have focused on is the economy. With inflation soaring above seven percent, many are looking for candidates with solutions to help get inflation under control.
"We need to institute a wealth tax in this country that enables us to put money back into people's pockets," Dominguez said. "We have to fight for 30 bucks an hour for every working class American. And we have to provide healthcare for all from cradle to grave."
The minimum wage fight is nothing new and faces significant opposition from conservatives who say a federal minimum wage increase would slow job growth and crush small businesses.
"To small businesses, I would say, we got you covered because we can create a tax rebate or tax credit for every person that they hire at the minimum wage," explained Dominguez when asked how we would address a minimum wage increase. "We can cover the additional 15 dollars an hour by taxing the ultra-rich in this country."
While a lot of attention has been focused on Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the history she could make as the third black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, Dominguez added his run, too, is historic.
"There has never been a Latino elected to any seat in the Maryland congressional delegation," he pointed out. "I think it’s important that we look at that as well. We are over 24 percent of the voting bloc in some places. Yet, [Latinos] do not have one congressional seat."