Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Maryland, defeating three-term Rep. David Trone, who spent over $61.77 million on his campaign. Alsobrooks will face Republican former Governor Larry Hogan in the general election. With Republicans needing to pick up one or two Senate seats to secure the majority, the race in Maryland has become more competitive than expected. Hogan’s popularity in the state has raised the stakes for Democrats in the upcoming election.
Despite being outspent by Trone by a significant margin, Alsobrooks had powerful endorsements from Maryland officials, including Governor Wes Moore. She is vying to become the third Black woman elected to the Senate and the first Black senator from Maryland, resonating with supporters who want to see more diversity in the state’s congressional delegation. Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated Alsobrooks on her historic victory and expressed confidence that she will win in November.
Maryland Democrats will need to unify against Hogan, who remains popular in the state. Both Alsobrooks and Trone ran strong campaigns that upheld Democratic values, according to Senator Ben Cardin. Alsobrooks and her allies highlighted her record and profile to make the case that she is the stronger general election candidate, focusing on issues like abortion rights. Trone, on the other hand, faced criticism for some of his comments and campaign tactics during the primary.
Trone emphasized his ability to self-fund his campaign as a way to demonstrate independence from special interests. However, some voters were turned off by the amount of money he spent on his campaign, calling it obscene and shameful. Alsobrooks raised nearly $7.8 million by the end of the pre-primary reporting period and is expected to receive outside help in the general election. EMILY’s List has expressed support for Alsobrooks in her campaign to make history as Maryland’s first Black Senator.
The race in Maryland has attracted national attention, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee launching ads in support of Alsobrooks and attacking Hogan. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate next year. Hogan’s popularity and Alsobrooks’ historic candidacy as a Black woman in the Senate have energized supporters on both sides, setting the stage for a competitive general election in Maryland.
