PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Early voting in Maryland’s primary election is wrapping up and candidates in various races are hoping to make their closing arguments to voters, ahead of Tuesday.
The U.S. Senate race is competitive with 10 democratic candidates and seven republicans on the ballot. Ben Cardin is the current office holder, but he announced his retirement a year ago. The senator has held public office since 1966, when he was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.
“I've been to every part of the state,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who is hoping to clinch the democratic nomination for Cardin's seat. “I believe more than ever in the people of Maryland, and I know for sure now that we want the same things for our families, because I've heard it for myself.”
In order for Alsobrooks to secure the nomination, she’ll have to beat out Rep. David Trone who, as the owner of Total Wine, has inundated the airways with ads since first announcing his campaign in 2023. Campaign finance reports show Trone has spent a staggering $47 million to promote his message; far outspending Alsobrooks and her campaign.
“What we have seen in this race, we have literally never seen in United States History," Alsobrooks said of the financing. "This is the greatest self-funded campaign we have ever seen in a U.S. primary. But all of our polling shows we are now in a statistical tie race with a large number of undecided voters. What we know is that Marylanders are very sophisticated. The money will not determine the outcome of this race.”
Campaign money aside, Alsobrooks is quick to pivot to the issues that most impact voters like -- the economy and crime. Recent polling suggest voters are deeply concerned about certain economic pressures like inflation and job availabilities.
“We must have a tax system that is fair,” explained Alsobrooks when asked what she would do as senator to address economic pressures impacting families. “We look at these large corporations who, frankly, are not always paying their fair share. The corporate tax rate is one that former President Donald Trump adjusted to benefit corporations. I'd be in favor or raising the corporate tax rate so that all of us are paying our fair share.”
Alsobrooks said she’d also be in favor of supporting additional legislation that would slow the growth of government spending. Billions in taxpayer money has been used to support allies in Ukraine and Israel. Some have raised concerns about the amount of money spent internationally with unresolved issues on U.S. soil like crime.
“I think people deserve to feel safe and be safe everywhere that they are,” Alsobrooks said.
Data confirmed by the Prince George’s County Police Department confirm a 13% reduction in crime compared to May of last year. Data also shows that while total crime is down, violent crime is up 11%. Alsobrooks said the issue of crime required investments in mental health, education and addiction care.
“We've built here the first ever mental health and addictions care facility," she said. “We've funded education at the highest levels we've seen in the county. We have to continue to fund education, fund mental health and addiction care. We have to fund constructive ways for our young people to be engaged.”
Additionally, Alsobrooks wants to focus on guns and closing the so called "gun show loophole" nationally whereby private firearm sellers, including those at gun shows, are not required to conduct a federal background check of the buyers. In Maryland, the loophole was closed with the passage of legislation that even overrode Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto. The law took effect in 2021.
If Alsobrooks secures the democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, she will likely go head-to-head against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is running for the Republican nomination. Hogan holds high name recognition statewide and is popular with both Republicans and Democrats.
“Larry Hogan is the member of a party that has policies that are inconsistent with the values of Marylanders,” Alsobrooks said. “I believe in the general election, I would be the strongest candidate to take on Larry Hogan where he would have to defend his record and I would be able to present my record.”
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