Former Republican Governor Larry Hogan and Democratic county executive Angela Alsobrooks emerged as the victors in Maryland’s primary races for the state’s open US Senate seat. Hogan, who served two terms as governor, easily won the GOP primary with over 60% of the vote, despite entering the race late. Alsobrooks, the executive of Prince George’s County, defeated a well-funded campaign by Rep. David Trone, receiving 53.4% of the vote to Trone’s 42.6%.
The Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Ben Cardin is expected to be competitive in Maryland, where the state leans blue. Hogan, a moderate and critic of former President Trump, would only be the second GOP governor ever to win re-election in Maryland, a state with a significant Democratic majority. Hogan has signaled that he plans to continue his centrist approach in politics if elected as a senator, which has been encouraged by top Senate Republicans such as Mitch McConnell.
Hogan, who battled stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma during his first year as governor, has been in remission since 2015. Despite his health struggles and political challenges, Hogan remains a strong contender in the Senate race. On the other hand, Alsobrooks is determined to keep Maryland blue, as the state hasn’t had a Republican senator in 37 years, and President Biden won by a significant margin in 2020. If elected, Alsobrooks would become Maryland’s first black female senator and only the third Black woman elected to the Senate.
Maryland Democrats are focused on maintaining control of the Senate seat, as they currently hold a slim majority in the Senate and face the challenge of defending 23 seats in this cycle. Republicans have to protect just 11 seats, making the race even more critical for Democrats. Despite Maryland’s Democratic stronghold, the upcoming Senate race is likely to be closely contested, with Hogan and Alsobrooks as strong contenders vying for the seat. Both candidates are fully committed to their platforms and their vision for representing Maryland in the Senate.
With Hogan’s centrist approach and Alsobrooks’ determination to keep Maryland blue, the Senate race in Maryland is set to be a high-stakes competition. Hogan’s late entry and successful primary win, combined with Alsobrooks’ victory over a well-funded opponent, have set the stage for a closely watched election in the state. As the candidates prepare for the November election, all eyes will be on Maryland to see who will ultimately win the fiercely contested Senate seat and contribute to the balance of power in the Senate.
