FREDERICK, Md. — In Maryland’s Senate race, the late election dollars have started pouring in for both candidates.
Popular former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and Democrat Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks have raised more than $35 million.
It’s put the Senate race in the national spotlight.
Except for a few signs in windows, you wouldn’t know there’s a Senate race running through Frederick.
“I'm a lifelong Democrat, so I'm voting for Angela, but I know people who like Larry Hogan,” a woman named Bernice told us in Downtown Frederick.
Bernice is excited to cast her ballot for Alsobrooks, but not ready to slander former Gov. Hogan.
“Oh, I think he was fine governor,” she said.
Across the street, and in many ways, across the aisle, we found Peter.
“I think Larry Hogan's been around, so I think it would be smart for everybody to continue that path,” Peter said.
But here again, he has nothing bad to say about Alsobrooks.
“I don't know a whole lot about her, you know?” Peter said. “But, I'm sure she does a good job too to get to where she is now.”
“Maryland doesn't typically see competitive Senate races in the General Election,” University of Maryland political scientist Dr. David Karol said.
Karol said Hogan’s popularity as governor has put Maryland in play and the Democrat’s slim Senate majority on the line.
“They are certainly losing the West Virginia seat. If they lose one more seat, you know, then that's it,” Karol said. “The stakes are pretty high. Our state is a small one with a big potential impact.”
As a result, millions of dollars have poured into the race. Hogan’s campaign has raised $10 million, and Alsobrooks’ campaign has more than doubled that: $25 million.
Yes, the voters have noticed.
“We get our share of commercials, right?” Peter laughed. “You know, quite a few. If we're watching the news…”
But despite the heated election, these political opposites remain, well, civil.
“Did you ever vote for Larry Hogan during his time?” we asked Bernice.
“I did not. My husband did. He is another lifelong Democrat, but I did not,” she smiled. “But then there's my blue roots.”
When we asked Dr. Karol why the anger and hostility of the presidential race hasn’t spilled down to the senate race, he offered some different thoughts on the dueling campaigns' strategies.
“I think that the presidential races typically were not as vitriolic either before Donald Trump was a candidate,” he said. “Gov. Hogan is a popular former governor who's tried to distance himself from Trump and the national party. So he's not gonna be the focus of a lot of animosity.”
“Alsobrooks is more in line with her party,” he said. “She's trying to tie him to the National Republican Party saying that he is not really pro-choice. If voters believe that they're gonna vote for her. So I think they both know what they're doing.”