Edwards challenges Wynn to an election rematch

Last year’s Democratic primary was a near-disaster for longtime congressman

The Fort Washington attorney and activist has been meeting with residents throughout the district, which spans Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Edwards said she has a new game plan. ‘‘I’ve got to match [Wynn] dollar for dollar. This is a completely different race. He’s a different candidate, and so am I,” she said.

Edwards said she has about $600 on hand, but predicted that she will raise about $1 million, a large chunk of which she expects to come from donors across the country.

Wynn has about $174,726 on hand, according to his most recent campaign finance report.

Edwards has also hired a campaign manager, an asset she lacked last time. It’s Adrienne Christian, former deputy campaign manager for Democrat James Webb, who won a U.S. Senate seat in Virginia last year.

‘‘That alone will make a huge difference, given I didn’t have a campaign manager before,” Edwards said.

But some say Wynn is a changed man — more reflective of his district and more responsive to his constituents. Since the election, he also has held frequent town hall meetings and has taken pains to keep his positions on the issues in line with mainstream Democrats, after Edwards castigated him for breaking ranks too often with his party.

‘‘It has been clear since the 2006 election that the congressman has made a concerted effort to raise his visibility and responsiveness to the issues,” said Del. Melony G. Griffith (D-Dist. 25) of Upper Marlboro, who worked on Wynn’s campaign a decade ago.

‘‘He’s done a lot of listening and a lot of follow-up,” she said. ‘‘I believe he’s re-solidified his base, as we say in politics.”

Too little too late, Edwards said.

‘‘I think what’s really clear is Mr. Wynn’s trying to clear up his record, but 14 years of failure can’t be made up in one year,” she said.