VIDEO: Douglas Says Campaign Has Been a Terrific Experience

College Park resident ’ campaign for U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin’s seat hasn’t been easy, he said Tuesday morning as he walked from his home in Berwyn to .

But then again, he didn’t expect it to be.

“It gives you a real sense of responsibility when somebody sends you a little check … because that little check tells you people are relying on you,” he said. “It can be a really moving experience to see that.”

Douglas is one of vying for candidacy in November’s general election to challenge Cardin. According to year-end campaign financial reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Douglas raised more than $63,000 to Republican challenger's Daniel Bongino's $130,000.

Douglas said it was one particularly high-pressure week last August that convinced him to run for Senate. Citizens were demanding a fix to the deficit problem, and the Taliban shot down a helicopter in Afghanistan, killing 25 American SEALs, he said.

“And how did our Congress respond? They recessed and went on vacation,” Douglas said.

The complete interview .

Robert Baird of Capital News Service contributed to this report.