The Reckoning in District 6: Why April Delaney’s Rise Spells the End of David Trone’s Reign
By Barry O’Connell
Strategic Editorialist, Maryland Wire
It started with a Facebook post. Not a press release, not a leak to a legacy outlet—but a post I published after multiple newsrooms passed on the story. That post exposed how David Trone and his wife funneled $390,000 through VoteVets, a federal dark money PAC, to smear Katie O’Malley in the 2022 Attorney General’s race. It was a calculated hit on a respected former First Lady, and it violated the unspoken code of Democratic politics in Maryland: you don’t go after your own, especially not the O’Malleys.
The story was real. The receipts were public. And once I published, the dam broke. Reporters who had sat on the story were suddenly forced to follow. But let’s be clear: this story didn’t come from them. It came from here.
The VoteVets Scandal: Trone’s Fatal Miscalculation
David Trone, a billionaire with a penchant for control, thought h
e could hide behind federal anonymity laws. VoteVets, as a federal PAC, isn’t required to disclose donors in federal races. But Trone’s target—Katie O’Malley—was running for a state office. That meant Maryland election law applied, and the money trail had to be disclosed.
And disclosed it was. June Trone gave $250,000. David Trone added another $140,000. The total: $390,000 to fund a smear campaign that used sexist imagery and misleading claims to kneecap O’Malley’s campaign.
The O’Malley campaign filed a formal complaint with the Maryland State Board of Elections. VoteVets admitted to filing an incomplete report, blaming a “software issue.” But the damage was done—and the Trone name was now publicly tied to the attack.
This wasn’t hardball politics. It was a betrayal. A ruthless, cynical move that alienated allies and confirmed what many in Annapolis already suspected: David Trone will do anything to win.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Trone’s Decline
Trone’s grip on Maryland’s 6th Congressional District has been slipping for years. Here’s the data:
| Year | Vote Share | Opponent | Margin |
| 2018 | 59.6% | Amie Hoeber (R) | Comfortable |
| 2020 | 58.8% | Neil Parrott (R) | Narrower |
| 2022 | 54.7% | Neil Parrott (R) | Razor-thin |
Source:
http://ballotpedia.org/David_Trone
In 2022, Trone didn’t clinch victory until the final mail-in ballots were counted. Many insiders believe he ran for Senate in 2024 not out of ambition—but out of fear. The writing was on the wall: one more run in MD-06 and he’d lose.
April McClain Delaney: The Party’s Choice
Enter April McClain Delaney. A seasoned public servant, a pragmatic Democrat, and—yes—the wife of former Congressman John Delaney. John, who sold his business for a reported $256 million, is no stranger to high-stakes campaigns. If Trone wants a dollar-throwing contest, he may find himself outmatched.
But this isn’t just about money. It’s about momentum. April’s endorsements read like a who’s who of Maryland Democratic leadership:
- Governor Wes Moore
- Senator Chris Van Hollen
- Congressman Jamie Raskin
- Senator Angela Alsobrooks
- Congressman Steny Hoyer
- The late Congresswoman Beverly Byron, who endorsed April before her passing
This is not a contested primary. This is a party realignment—a clear signal that Maryland Democrats are done with Trone’s brand of politics.
Source:
http://www.aprilmcclaindelaneyforcongress.com/2025/10/30/congresswoman-april-mcclain-delaney-announces-re-election-campaign/
The Message to Maryland Democrats: Don’t Bet on Trone
To activists, elected officials, and would-be candidates: David Trone can write checks, but he can’t deliver wins. He’s not a closer. He’s not a coalition-builder. And he’s not aligned with the values of the party he claims to represent.
If you’re thinking about backing Trone, ask yourself: What are you really buying? A donor who undermines women in his own party? A candidate who barely holds his seat and alienates his colleagues? A man whose own staff whisper about his instability and drinking?
The Democratic Party in Maryland is moving forward. April McClain Delaney is the future. David Trone is the past—and the past is catching up with him.
Footnotes
1. VoteVets PAC funding and Maryland election law disclosure
2. April McClain Delaney’s endorsements and campaign announcement