Angela Alsobrooks defeats Larry Hogan to win U.S. Senate race in Maryland: AP Calls

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks is expected to win Maryland‘s 2024 U.S. Senate race, in which Republicans were defeated Larry Hogan.

Her victory marks her as the first black U.S. senator in Maryland history.

Alsobrooks won an expensive primary, with her campaign and other Democratic groups having spent or earmarked about $30 million on ads since the start of the general election. She argued that voting for a Senate candidate like Hogan, who will help determine control of the chamber, is different than voting for a governor.

READ MORE: Who is Angela Alsobrooks? Everything you need to know about Maryland’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate

Alsobrooks has a background in public service, having served as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney for eight years before being elected County Executive twice. She will transition from her current role to the U.S. Senate with two years left in her term.

Alsobrooks launched her 2023 Senate campaign with a video telling her family’s story of leaving South Carolina for Maryland after her great-grandfather was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy. As a young prosecutor, she met the vice president Kamala Harristhen Attorney General of California, and formed a lasting friendship.

Like Hogan, Alsobrooks supports federal legislation to restore abortion rights nationwide. She campaigned on the need to protect women’s freedom to make those decisions, arguing that Hogan’s election could risk giving Republicans a majority in the Senate.

“The question is not whether we like Larry Hogan or not,” she said during a campaign stop earlier this year. “That’s not the question. It’s not even about whether or not it’s a good idea to vote for him for governor. The question we’re answering is: Who should get the 51st vote?”

READ MORE: Senate candidate Alsobrooks faces a $47,000 bill over improper tax claims in DC

Her campaign highlighted her experience as a county executive, with an emphasis on economic and infrastructure development, and her work as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. She served as State’s Attorney from 2011 to 2018 and was sworn in as County Executive on December 5, 2022.

Alsobrooks faced challenges when it was discovered she was in error applied for property tax credits for two houses. Her campaign said she was unaware of the problem. She claimed homestead and senior property tax credits for a home in Washington, D.C., and homestead credits for another home in Prince George’s County. Alsobrooks owns two homes in Prince George’s and received an exemption for the first home in May 2008. When she moved to a new home and rented out the townhouse in Upper Marlboro, she did not transfer the homestead tax credit. She also owned a house in Washington after taking over the mortgage when her grandmother moved in 2005.

Where Angela Alsobrooks stands on the issues.

Economy

Alsobrooks opposes Trump-era tax cuts and insists on prioritizing helping families. During the Maryland primary in May, Alsobrooks said, “We’re looking at these big corporations that, quite frankly, don’t always pay their fair share. The corporate tax rate is a rate that former President Donald Trump adjusted in favor of corporations. I would be in favor of raising corporate taxes so that we all pay our fair share.”

Although Alsobrooks was critical of the tax cuts, she also faced her own criticism. The County Executive was found to have improperly saved thousands of dollars in DC property tax credits intended for lower incomes and seniors. Her campaign claims the tax errors were not intentional. Her attorneys are working with local officials to resolve the issue.

Healthcare

Alsobrooks aims to broaden Medicaid to achieve universal healthcare coverage. She advocated for the federal government to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act — which 10 states have chosen not to implement.

Medicare has also been a policy focus for Alsobrooks. According to her campaign website, Alsobrooks “wants to approve a Medicare buy-in option and apply ACA subsidies to the plan to ensure all Americans have access, regardless of income. Medicare buy-in balances the critical need to cover all Americans cover as they drive down private insurance costs and ensure those who enjoy their current insurance plans can continue to do so.”

Reproductive rights

Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Democratic candidates have emphasized reproductive rights and emphasized the critical nature of the issue.

When it comes to the issue of abortion, Alsobrooks has said she will co-sponsor the Women’s Health Protection Act. The legislation prohibits states from imposing restrictions on abortion.

Alsobrooks has also said she will oppose any judicial nominee who does not support abortion rights.

“This race is about beating Donald Trump. It’s about making sure we protect our reproductive freedoms. It’s about making sure we have sensible gun laws that protect our children from gun violence. It’s about protecting votes. It’s about building an economy that works for all our children,” Alsobrooks said. “This race is also about keeping the 51st vote. That’s why the Senate race is so important to ensure that we confirm Supreme Court justices who respect our freedoms, unlike these conservative justices.”

Immigration

Immigration is taking center stage in Maryland following the recent controversy in Harford County. Alsobrooks has pledged to support immigration reform. Her website states that she hopes to create a “pathway to citizenship for those already living and working in the United States.”

As County Executive, Alsobrooks implemented a policy for how Prince George’s County interacts with federal immigration officials. She ordered that the county’s Department of Corrections only notify ICE if an undocumented immigrant was arrested for gang-related or violent crimes, arguing that minor infractions such as speeding should not lead to deportation.

Additionally, Alsobrooks chose not to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, stating that local law enforcement should not be responsible for immigration enforcement.

Foreign policy

Alsobrooks has condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel and called for a ceasefire. According to Alsobrooks’ campaign, if elected to the Senate, she plans to work with allies to advance a two-state solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Guns

Alsobrooks has said that as a senator she would ban assault weapons. “I started my career as a domestic violence prosecutor in 1997 because I believed then what I believe now, which is that everyone should feel safe and be safe in the communities they serve. When I was a prosecutor, I have overseen about a 50% reduction in violent crime. I have continued to work to keep our families safe. I have funded our police operations and public safety operations,” Alsobrooks said in an interview with FOX 5. “Gun violence is the number one killer of children. .in America, not just in Prince George’s County in America. No car accidents, no disease, gun violence. That’s why I’m going to work as a senator to do what Larry Hogan didn’t do, which is work to remove assault weapons from our communities. “

According to the Associated Press, there are 4,552,017 registered voters in Maryland. About 48% are Democrats, compared to about 22% Republicans. Newly elected senators, including Angela Alsobrooks, will be sworn in in January 2025.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.