HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan held a brief news conference Thursday where he shared his plans should he become Maryland's next U.S. Senator.
"In the Senate, I will reach across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation," he said.
Hogan would have to eclipse Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who recent polling suggests, enjoys a double-digit lead over the Republican nominee.
Hogan's campaign released a website Wednesday aimed at attacking Alsobrooks' record on crime, funding for law enforcement, and other key issues for voters. One claim noted on the website said in 2020 Alsobrooks redirected $20 million in funding from a new police training facility to a new mental health facility. Another suggested, that because of Alsobrook, the Prince George’s County Police Department is severely understaffed by 300 officers.
WUSA9 fact-checked those claims.
It is true that Alsobrooks redirected $20 million in taxpayer funds from the construction of a police training facility to a new behavioral health center. For context, the money, at the time, was being redirected to the lack of behavioral health options that were available in the county, Alsobrooks told WUSA 9 in 2020.
“What we know is that 70% of the people who are arrested in Prince George’s County arrive to our Department of Corrections intoxicated, and a third of the individuals who come through our jail are suffering from a mental health issue,” said Alsobrooks during a news conference in 2020. “It’s wrong to treat mentally ill and addicted people in jail, and we must preserve the dignity of these individuals."
As for law enforcement, WUSA9 reached out to the Prince George’s County Police Department. The department confirmed they are short 300 officers but added the shortages are part of a larger, nationwide problem and not anything specific to Prince George's County in general.
"Alsobrook has been telling lies on me," said Hogan. "If she tells lies on me, we have to tell the truth about you."
Alsobrooks campaign responded.
“Mitch McConnell recruited Larry Hogan to run for this seat to get a majority in the Senate, " said Alsobrooks' campaign in a statement to WUSA9. "No Marylander thinks that’s a laughing matter. Larry can misconstrue whatever he wants, but we know his record and we know that this race represents who will have the 51st seat. Our future and freedoms are at stake.”
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