“Times are tough and where I come from, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” ~ Senator Barbara Mikulski

Maryland Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski officially announced her candidacy for re-election in 2010 and kicked off a statewide campaign tour this morning in Fells Point. She began the day with an announcement on her newly launched Twitter account followed by breakfast at Jimmy’s with friends and family and then on to Broadway square in Fell’s Point. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake delivered opening remarks at the rally. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings and hundreds of local supporters were among those gathered on Broadway Square.

Senator Mikulski asked supporters for their help so she can continue fighting for Maryland’s middle class families.  “People are mortgage poor and tuition poor.  They’re socked by health care bills and energy bills that seem to get bigger every month.  They’re worried about losing a job or keeping a job or getting a job,” Senator Mikulski said.

“It would be my honor to keep trying to level the playing field for middle-class families,” she continued. “To keep standing up to the big insurance companies, to the big drug companies and anyone else standing in the way of the little guy or gal getting their piece of the American dream. In Washington, when all is said and done, more is being said than done.  That’s not my style. I’m a fighter.  And a do-er.”

Senator Mikulski’s kick off tour will continue through Sunday, April 25 and will take her to Baltimore, Allegany, Montgomery, Kent, Prince George’s and Washington Counties.  In addition to the Broadway Square rally, highlights of the tour include remarks at the 6th Annual Western Maryland Democratic Summit in Flintstone on Saturday, April 24 at 12 Noon EST (Rocky Gap State Park & Conference Center) and a Meet & Greet with Young Democrats in Silver Spring on Sunday, April 25 at 2:30 PM EST (McGinty’s Public House – Silver Spring). As part of her announcement, Senator Mikulski will continue her diner tour, dropping by diners across the state. For a full schedule of events, visitwww.senatorbarb.com. To follow Senator Barb on Twitter, go towww.twitter.com/senatorbarb or please search for senatorbarb or #barb4md.