Donna Edwards shocked the Democratic party establishment on February 12 when she defeated an entrenched incumbent, Rep. Al Wynn, in the Maryland Democratic primary. But it was a sweet victory for the progressive coalition that backed her candidacy, and validation that the combination of a skilled candidate, a compelling message and the concerted support of labor leaders, environmentalists, women's groups and antiwar activists can overcome a candidate supported by and beholden to corporate interests.

In this interview, Edwards explains how she won her primary, what lessons her campaign holds for the progressive movement, and issues a challenge to "believe in and invest in our own politics"—which she says progressives have not always done in the past.

Edwards will be speaking at the opening session of Take Back America 2008 [2] in Washington March 17.