Delaney, Parrott campaign in final week before Election Day

MARYLAND, USA — Maryland’s 6th District has become a flashpoint in the national battle between Democrats and Republicans, with the prize being potential control of Congress.

Maryland’s State Board of Elections says as of Oct. 30, 835,415 voters have already turned up to the polls, and the state has also received and accepted 316,107 additional mail-in ballots.  But despite the large numbers, this is less than half of Maryland’s overall turnout when compared to 2020.

Former Del.Neil Parrott (R) spent Thursday morning speaking to his supporters at an event in Frederick, hoping to maintain his momentum and slim lead over his opponent, April McClain Delaney (D). 

“This is my third time running, and I’m telling you things are really different this time,” he said to reporters. “Things look very, very encouraging. Our numbers are very, very strong.”

Meanwhile, Delaney spoke in Gaithersburg about what she’s seen on her trips through the 6th District while on the campaign trail.

“I went through all the polling locations, all five counties, and ended at 7:50, last night in Oakland, Maryland,” she said. “You saw a world of hurt, but you also saw a lot of opportunity. There’s so much that can be done when we work together.”

Both candidates also touched on one of the top issues of this election for many Marylanders: abortion and reproductive healthcare.

During his tenure as a state delegate, Parrott once co-sponsored legislation that would’ve blocked abortion access. However, he said as a potential member of Congress, federal action on abortion isn’t a priority for him.

“My agenda is, we need to lower costs, we need to bring manufacturing jobs back to western Maryland, we need to secure the border. No party is going to have 60 votes to move [abortion] one way or another, it’s a non-issue,” Parrott argues. “As a state delegate, it was a state issue. I’m going to Congress, it’s not an issue that’s going to be dealt with on a Congressional level, so I’m not even thinking about that.”

Delaney disagreed, using her own history as proof of how problematic that approach is, and called for constitutional protections for abortion.

“Our rights as women cannot be determined by our geography,” Delaney said. “In my 30’s, between my second and third child, I had an ectopic pregnancy and was within 45 minutes of hemorrhaging to death, and had I not had that procedure, I most certainly would’ve died. Were I in my native state of Idaho or West Virginia, I most probably would’ve.”

Delaney and Parrott were also flanked by Congressional and state leaders from both major parties.

The candidates’ surrogates stressed how the impact of this election will be felt beyond the 6th District through key votes.

“This election is a very big deal, in terms of who controls Congress,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin. “Send us April Delaney, and she will bring result to the people of Maryland every single day!”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise countered with Parrott's emphasis on border security making him the right choice for Maryland. 

“The border is wide open, and we got a clear choice in this race," Scalise said. "Neil [Parrott] wants to secure the border, get it closed so we can secure our communities. We’re going to need allies in Congress if we’re going to turn this country around. We have the ability to do that, and we’re ready to go.”

The Maryland governor urged voters to think about which candidate will make the most impact on their everday lives. 

“At the end of the day, people are making decisions, and the only hope that each and every one of us have, as Marylanders, and as members of the 6th, is when those decisions are made, am I being remembered? Is my family being thought about? Is my future and legacy being preserved?" Moore said. I can tell you from experience, that April [McClain Delaney] is a person who has done that her entire life, she’s done that her entire career, and she’ll do that when we send her to Capitol Hill in January.”

WATCH: Full interviews WUSA9 conducted with both candidates.