Congressional candidate being treated for cancer

Democrat David Trone, running in 6th District, has tumor in urinary tract

Liquor magnate David Trone, the Democratic nominee for Maryland’s open 6th District congressional seat, said Monday he has “localized cancer” and has undergone chemotherapy to reduce a tumor in his urinary tract.

Trone, 62, said in a statement that he anticipates a full recovery and plans to remain in the race.

“The next step in the recommended course of treatment is to remove the kidney on that side of my urinary tract,” the Potomac businessman said. “The treatment team members believe my prognosis is positive. They say I may miss a few days of the campaign immediately after the surgery, but nothing will interfere with my being fully engaged as a candidate and as a member of Congress after the recovery.”

Trone, co-owner of Total Wine & More, defeated a large Democratic field in the June 26 primary.

He is set to face Republican Amie Hoeber in the November election. The 6th District, which stretches from Montgomery County to Frederick and across Western Maryland, is open because incumbent John Delaney, a Democrat, is running for president.

, who also lives in Potomac, could not be reached for comment Monday. on her phone or through email.

Trone, co-owner of Total Wine & More, defeated a large Democratic field in the June 26 primary.

Trone said in the statement he learned of the cancer a day before the primary election.

“On Monday, June 25, it was confirmed that I had a tumor in my urinary tract,” he said. “Since then, I have undergone chemotherapy treatment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, a treatment that has led to a substantial reduction in the size of the tumor.”

Trone campaign manager Jerid Kurtz said in the statement that the candidate “has been fully engaged in all aspects of the campaign during the chemotherapy treatment.”

The announcement came three days after a political blog, A Miner Detail, raised questions about Trone’s health and posted photos of him with thinning hair.

Trone has contributed more than $10 million to his own campaign, after giving himself $13.4 million for his 2016 Democratic primary bid in the neighboring 8th Congressional District. He lost that race to Rep. Jamie Raskin.

Trone said he spent Monday morning notifying friends and associates of his condition. His statement included comments of support from some of Maryland’s top Democrats, including Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.

Rep. Steny Hoyer issued a separate statement.

“While I was sorry to hear the news of David’s diagnosis, he is a fighter and I’m pleased to hear that his prognosis is for a full recovery,” Hoyer said in a statement.

Ben Jealous, the Democratic candidate for Maryland governor, also issued a statement to express his support for Trone.

“My prayers are with David and his family during this difficult time and I look forward to his healthy recovery,” Jealous said in the statement.