Trone, Ficker and others clash in MD-6 primaries

Maryland’s 6th Congressional District is headed into a crowded Democratic and Republican primary, with incumbent April McClain Delaney facing seven Democratic challengers including David Trone, and Republicans including Robin Ficker, Chris Burnett and Mariela

The first thing David Trone said he wants voters to understand is that immigration reform hasn’t happened in Congress in 30 years—and his Democratic primary bid is built around fixing that.

Trone is one of seven challengers for the Democratic nomination in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, where Rep. April McClain Delaney is seeking another term. Trone held the seat from 2019 to 2024 before running unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate.

Across the aisle, the Republican primary includes Robin Ficker, a former Maryland State Delegate and disbarred attorney, alongside U.S. Marine veteran and attorney Chris Burnett and U.S. Air Force veteran and former federal employee Mariela Roca.

Delaney’s Democratic field and Ficker’s Republican slate are both framing the race as a referendum on how Washington handles power—who gets protected, who gets funded, and who pays.

In the Democratic primary, Trone’s priorities run in a clear line: immigration, women’s rights—including reproductive rights—and money in politics.

He said immigration reform hasn’t happened in Congress in 30 years and argued the country needs a “thoughtful policy.” He said the U.S. could model its approach on Canada’s, which he said brings in immigrants who can fill jobs that need workers, including in nursing, engineering and education.

Trone also said women’s rights have been eroded, pointing to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had declared the constitutional right to an abortion. “We need to all push back against that,” he said.

On money in politics, Trone criticized politicians sharply, saying “Basically, I dislike politicians to a significant degree. They’re short-sighted. they don’t work real hard and they don’t get stuff done for our country.” He said he supports term limits and argued lobbyists’ money must end. “We can’t take lobbyists’ money, we have to put an end to that completely. It corrupts the system thoroughly. We have to end that gravy train of dollars and go back to individual donations.” In his 2024 Senate campaign. Trone spent $60 million of his own money.

Healthcare affordability is the centerpiece for one of Trone’s Democratic rivals, Ethan Wechtaluk, a former federal employee. He told WTOP that the current system is built around profit. “not patients.” Wechtaluk said his first act would be to co-sponsor the Medicare for All Act and push for realistic implementation. He also said he wants universal childcare. saying childcare costs are a “second mortgage for Maryland families” and that the workforce “pays the price.”.

Wechtaluk’s immigration position is also distinct. He said he would not reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but replace it. He said it “must be replaced with an agency operating under DOJ oversight with statutory civil rights protections.”

Kiambo White, another Democrat in the crowded primary, told WTOP that his top concerns include education, business and employment development, and government overreach, but he did not specify how he would address those issues.

On the Republican side, Ficker and his opponents are pressing their own versions of what should change.

Ficker said immigration is a top concern and focused on funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He argued that ensuring ICE funding continues matters because “Failure to adequately fund ICE. Ficker said. ‘means open borders and we can’t live with that because it brings in enough unvetted immigrants in two and a half months to completely negate the vote of our legislative district.’”.

Ficker also said underfunding ICE would reshape representation in other ways, adding that it would “also allow California to have at least five more members of Congress, because these folks are counted in the census.”

Ficker’s platform also takes aim at taxes and government spending. When it comes to fiscal issues. he said. “I would oppose higher taxes. I would restore fiscal discipline. I would fight inflation-driving policies and slash wasteful spending. ” adding he is someone who “puts taxpayers’ pocketbooks ahead of the special interests.”.

He linked economic growth to transportation infrastructure. saying “Economic investment is critically needed in Maryland’s 6th District” and that he would promote widening I-270. He said it is “the road to Camp David” and that he believes he can get administration approval. He argued the interstate expansion would help attract business. citing a decision by Nucor Steel to locate a plant in West Virginia. which he said “should have been in Western Maryland rather than in West Virginia.”.

Taken together, the candidates’ priorities show how differently they want voters to feel about the same problems: immigration as an enforcement question for Ficker; immigration as a structured labor and policy model for Trone; and immigration as something to replace entirely for Wechtaluk.

In a race with this many names on the ballot, the stakes aren’t just ideological. They come down to what voters will reward: a tougher posture. a different system. or a different governing philosophy altogether—whether the fight is over who controls borders. who protects reproductive rights. or who draws the line on spending and power.

Maryland 6th Congressional District primary April McClain Delaney David Trone Robin Ficker Chris Burnett Mariela Roca Ethan Wechtaluk Kiambo White immigration policy reproductive rights Medicare for All Act childcare ICE funding I-270