Maryland’s Democratic Senate primary is set to conclude, with Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks vying for the nomination to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. Trone has spent over $60 million of his own money on the race, while Alsobrooks is aiming to become the first Black senator from the state. The race has taken on greater significance with former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan entering the fray, making the Senate seat a potential battleground in the general election.
Trone has emphasized his willingness to use all resources to take on Hogan in the fall, questioning Alsobrooks’ ability to defeat the former governor. Despite Trone’s significant financial advantage, Alsobrooks has garnered support from top Maryland Democrats who believe she can build a winning coalition and provide a strong contrast as a female candidate. She has criticized Trone’s self-funding approach, arguing that buying a seat does not align with democratic values.
In the Republican primary in Maryland, Hogan faces a challenge from perennial candidate Robin Ficker who has outspent him with ads aligning himself with President Trump. Democrats plan to tie Hogan to the national GOP, particularly on the issue of abortion, in the general election if he secures the nomination. Hogan has positioned himself as a moderate dealmaker, expressing concerns about the extremism on both sides and advocating for bipartisan cooperation.
Republicans are expected to have a strong chance of picking up a Senate seat in West Virginia, with former Gov. Jim Justice, who has received Trump’s endorsement, facing Rep. Alex Mooney in the primary. Trump-backed candidates are also favored to win House primary runoffs in North Carolina. In other races, Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon and West Virginia GOP Rep. Carol Miller are facing primary challengers from the right, with Miller up against a former state Del. who was convicted of a felony for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Additionally, Harry Dunn, a police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, is running in a Democratic primary in Maryland’s 3rd District against veteran state legislators. Maryland is also hosting competitive Democratic primaries in two other deep blue House seats. Polls are set to close at different times in the respective states, with Maryland closing at 8 p.m. ET, West Virginia at 7:30 p.m. ET, North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Nebraska at 9 p.m. ET. The outcomes of these primaries will shape the political landscape leading up to the general election.
