Lori Sherwood, the campaign manager for Rep. Al Wynn’s 2008 Democratic primary campaign in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District, told PolitickerMD.com that money played a large role in the incumbents’ loss to community activist Donna Edwards on Tuesday.

“The amount of money spent by our opponent and independent expenditures was just too much,” Sherwood said.

Finance data conducted by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), four days before the primary, showed Wynn had actually raised more money for his campaign than Edwards. As of Feb. 8, Wynn raised $1,009,448 compared to $793,876 for Edwards. However, the figures do not include money spent by 527 groups, which are not regulated by the FEC and are not subject to contribution limits.

Wynn had also spent more on his campaign, $955,073, compared to $457,958 for his opponent. Again, that does not include 527 groups.  With the addition of 527 groups, Sherwood speculated that “close to” $2 million was spent on pro-Edwards or anti-Wynn advertisements. Exact data is not yet available.

Beyond money, Sherwood said the change theme that has dominated the national scene and was found in several congressional primaries, aided Edwards.

“The Obama wave had an impact,” Sherwood said, referencing the Democratic presidential candidate.

She felt this was particularly the case with voters who decided at the last minute. An internal Edwards poll conducted days before the primary showed the challenger up by eight points. On Election Day, however, Edwards won by nearly 23 points, 59.2% to 36.5%.

Sherwood said Wynn had “a brief conversation” with Edwards to declare his concession on election night. She said the congressman offered to work with Edwards to ensure “a smooth transition.”

The campaign manager also offered her disappointment with the results of the GOP primary in Maryland’s First Congressional District, where conservative state Sen. Andy Harris defeated moderate incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.

“The two consensus builders’ lost from the left and the right,” Sherwood said.

She said Wynn had been “honored” to work with Gilchrest, who came to Congress in 1991, two years before Wynn.

As for turnout in the fourth, Sherwood said it was “pretty high,” and said she did not think the inclement weather had an impact.

While exact data has not been issued, Sherwood predicted that turnout may have been near 40 percent in Montgomery County.

Wynn still has ten and a half months left on his current term, and Sherwood said he was looking forward to getting back to work.

The congressman is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and is Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials, a fact that his campaign manager noted.

“There is a lot of work to be done in Congress,” Sherwood said.