Vice President Kamala Harris recently made a campaign stop in Maryland to support Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat running for a U.S. Senate seat that could determine control of the chamber. Speaking on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Harris emphasized the need for more federal laws to prevent gun violence. Alsobrooks, who defeated U.S. Rep. David Trone last month, is now running against popular Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan in a competitive race. If elected, Alsobrooks would become Maryland’s first Black U.S. senator and the nation’s third Black woman elected to the Senate.
Alsobrooks has pledged to support legislation for universal background checks, a ban on military-style assault weapons, and efforts to combat illegal firearms trafficking. She also emphasized the importance of holding gun manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by their products. During the campaign rally, both Harris and Alsobrooks stressed the significance of gaining the Senate majority to achieve these goals and keep Americans safe. The event also featured speeches from Maryland Democrats Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who criticized Hogan’s past endorsement by the National Rifle Association.
Despite Maryland being a predominantly Democratic state, Hogan is running the most competitive Senate race for the GOP in decades. Hogan, who has been critical of former President Donald Trump, received an A-minus rating from the NRA during his 2014 gubernatorial campaign. However, in 2018, Hogan distanced himself from the NRA and supported gun-control measures. In an interview with the Associated Press, Hogan expressed his support for an assault weapons ban at the national level, citing his track record of implementing similar measures in Maryland during his governorship.
In response to Alsobrooks’ campaign focus on gun violence prevention, Hogan’s campaign highlighted the issue of crime in Prince George’s County, where Alsobrooks serves as county executive. The campaign emphasized a plan to address crime that includes funding for law enforcement, taking repeat violent offenders off the streets, and preventing individuals with mental illnesses from obtaining guns. Democrats are currently holding a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate and are facing challenges in defending seats in states that Trump won in the previous election. The Maryland Senate race is seen as crucial in determining the balance of power in the Senate.
