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Steve Hudson, a doctor and a lawyer, said running for Congress has opened his eyes.

"I started off this process knowing very, very little about the problems affecting people," Hudson said. "In talking to individuals, it's really enlightened me."

Hudson, a Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D) of Kensington, faces a long-shot effort to add a new title of 8th Congressional District representative to his lengthy resume.

After defeating Republican incumbent Connie Morella in 2002 by a 51 percent to 47 percent margin, Van Hollen has won re-election with margins of 75 to 25 percent in 2004 and 77 to 22 in 2006.

One of Hudson's Republican primary opponents, Bruce Stern, a Gaithersburg attorney, had a pointed barb at a GOP debate earlier this year aimed at Hudson and other social conservatives in the race.

‘‘We've run social conservatives in the last two elections and he's beat them by 50 percentage points. ... When he faced a social moderate he won by 5 percentage points," Stern said.

Hudson, who opposes abortion and withdrawal of the military from Iraq and describes himself as a moderate, said he knows he faces a tough challenge.

"I'll work hard until the very last vote is cast because that's the promise I made as the nominee and to give the voters a choice," Hudson said.

Too many voters make their decisions based on partisan choices, he said.

"The come out and vote either the D or the R," he said. "You shouldn't just vote the letter."

Hudson graduated from the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in 1994 and obtained his law degree from the University of Maryland in 2001. He also received a master's in public administration from Marist College in 2008.

A surgeon, Hudson has volunteered his services in Africa and Israel. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he loaded his equipment in his Jeep and drove to Louisiana.

He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1990 to 2002.

Van Hollen said he knew little of Hudson's background, but that he had an impressive record of service. The two were scheduled to debate, but it was canceled by the congressional action on the economic crisis.

Hudson said the 47 million uninsured is a major problem and that the solution is to open up the insurance industry so "everyone can sell insurance."

Hudson said he does not know if global warming is caused by human activity, but something needs to be done about it.

"I don't know if there's enough research to say what is happening. I believe it is happening right before our eyes. We see glaciers melting," he said. "If we ignore it, then we can be in serious problems. We have to assume it's true. If global warming gets worse, I know as a physician there'll be water shortages, diseases and there will be a huge migration problem."

The failure of Congress to address issues without partisan bickering and by becoming beholden to special interest groups has resulted in the low approval ratings, he said.

"Don't get me wrong, I think the Republicans are at fault too," he said. "Issues change all the time. We see them change every day. But what does not change is character. I firmly believe that people in public service are worthy to serve the public only if they put the people before their own special interests."

U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland District 8

Political Party: Republican

Born: 12/27/1968 in Wilkinsburg, Pa.

Residence: Silver Spring

Family: spouse (Lori Hudson), children (Alaina, Brennan, Chloe, Avery)

Education: M.D., Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda (1994); law degree, University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore (2001); Master's degree in public administration, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (2007); bachelor's degree in neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (1990). 

Professional experience: Opthalmic surgeon (2005-present); lawyer (2002-present); commander, U.S. Navy Reserves (present); U.S. Navy (1999-2002). 

Community experience:  Hurricane Katrina medical and legal volunteer; American Red Cross Chapter Chair and Disaster Action Committee (PA); Clearfield County Planning Commission (PA); U.S. Jaycee; volunteer clinical instructor.  

Key issues: Right to life; right to bear arms, national defense, immigration reform, fiscal responsibility, health care, education, energy independence, environment

Web site: www.

stevehudson2008.com

E-mail address: steve@

stevehudson2008.com

Telephone: 301-873-6470