The last stretch of Maryland’s primary elections remains a tight contest with high stakes between Democrats Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Congressman David Trone, and is only becoming more heated. With the U.S. Senate nearly deadlocked with 48 Democrats, three Independents who caucus with them, and 49 Republicans, Maryland may be responsible for sending the tie-breaking vote to Washington’s upper chamber.
It is likely that former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will emerge from the Republican primary, as he was leading 69% to 9% in an April poll. Hogan is also currently leading both of the likely Democratic nominees in polling.
Early voting is underway and the Maryland primary is on Tuesday, May 14.
Hundreds of Black Women Leaders Rally in Support of Alsobrooks
In the last polls conducted in early April, Trone led Alsobrooks by 3% and 19% respectively. While former Laurel City Council member Martin Mitchell said he felt Trone is “the best candidate,” due to “being active and traveling to all corners of Maryland,” in recent weeks, concerns over the Congressman’s campaigning style have led to outrage and organized opposition.
Trone called some of Alsobrooks’ Prince George’s endorsers as “low-level,” drawing concern from Congressman Glenn Ivey (D- District 4).
“I was a little surprised to hear a comment like that,” he said. “Some people think Congress is a high-level office.”
A television ad supporting Trone featured Prince George’s Councilmember Ed Burroughs (D-District 8) stating that “the U.S. Senate is no place for training wheels,” leading to over 600 Black women leaders including former Democratic National Committeewoman Donna Brazile signing onto a letter calling the ad divisive, misogynistic and racist. The ad has since been updated to remove the quote.
“We are also personally offended by the recent ads released by the Trone U. S. Senate Campaign unjustly targeting Angela Alsobrooks, a highly esteemed U.S. Senate candidate and Black woman. The ads stating that Ms. Alsobrooks is not qualified to run for the U.S. Senate and that she ‘needs training wheels’ is not only disparaging and dismissive but also echoes tones of misogyny and racism,” the April 29 letter explains.
The letter called for “unfounded and negative attacks by the Trone Senate Campaign,” to immediately stop.
“It is a clear attempt to delegitimize the voices of those who believe in Angela Alsobrooks’ vision for representing Maryland in the U.S. Senate.”
The Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, a member of the Board of Directors on Delta for Women in Action, was one of the women who signed onto this letter.
“[Alsobrooks] has a track record of building public schools, working to ensure economic development opportunities for communities of color as well as Marylanders in rural and coastal areas. She has an understanding of women’s rights and the importance of healthcare, as she has built new hospital sites in her county,” Arline-Bradley explained. “The biggest issue is turnout and the opportunity to ensure the voice of women and people of color is brought to the table. This is about making history and leveraging the moment for representation.”
Arline-Bradley also noted that the Maryland delegation, which has been composed solely of men since 2016, needs to add a woman.
Several prominent Prince Georgians, including Life After Release founder Qiana Johnson and In A Minute Cafe chef Steven Wilson, have come out to support Alsobrooks in recent days. However, others, including Angela Taylor, cited hypocrisy in supporting Alsobrooks while many Democrats did not support former U.S. Rep Donna Edwards’ 2016 run for the U.S. Senate against then-Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
Getting Voters to the Polls
A nine-day Souls to the Polls effort was organized by the Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope AME Church, to increase turnout across the state, in partnership with the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP).
“I am excited to join forces with our Maryland Unity Coalition, to launch the next phase of the NCBCP’s Unity ’24 National Campaign in the State of Maryland. Maryland is the 4th State where we have launched our campaign, including Florida, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania,” said NCBCP President Melanie L. Campbell. “The 2024 presidential election will determine who will hold the power to protect our rights, freedoms and democracy and Maryland is key to what the outcome will be.”
May 14 is Election Day, and Marylanders can register to vote and drop off their mailed ballots at election sites on Election Day. Find your polling place here.