Alsobrooks’ defeat of Trone in Maryland’s Democratic Senate race sets up clash with GOP’s Hogan

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks overcame Rep. David Trone’s enormous cash advantage to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maryland, putting her a step closer to becoming the state’s first Black female senator.

Ms. Alsobrooks advances to the general election to face popular former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican and vocal critic of former President Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP.

Mr. Hogan cruised to victory in the Republican Senate primary and gave the GOP a shot at winning the seat in deep-blue Maryland. The state hasn’t sent a Republican to the Senate since 1980.

Ms. Alsobrooks, 53, defeated Mr. Trone by a 54% to 41.9% margin. Mr. Hogan, 67, defeated his stiffest competition Robin Ficker by a 61.9% to 30.1% margin.

“Together, tonight we have made history, we have made history, and we have done so while overcoming steep odds,” Ms. Alsobrooks said at her election night party. “So for anyone, hear me, who had ever felt counted out, overlooked, and underestimated, I hope you know the impossible is still possible.”

Mr. Trone said he called to congratulate Ms. Alsobrooks, wished her the best of luck, and offered her his support.

“I need all of you to come together to support the Democratic Party so we can hold this U.S. Senate,” he said at his election night party.

Indeed, the stakes are high for Democrats in the race to replace Sen. Ben Cardin, the three-term Democrat who decided against running for re-election.

Mr. Hogan is a prized GOP recruit.

If Democrats lose the seat, they likely can kiss goodbye any hopes of hanging onto their slim Senate majority.

“The fight ahead will not be easy,” Ms. Alsobrooks said. “What we know is Maryland has been a blue state, but it will only stay a blue state if we put in the work.”

There was not a lot of policy daylight between Ms. Alsobrooks, a Black single mother and former state’s attorney, and Mr. Trone, a third-term congressman and owner of Total Wine & More.

But the race was lopsided on the cash front. Mr. Trone loaned his campaign over $54 million, while Ms. Alsobrooks raised almost $7.8 million.

Ms. Alsobrooks made up for the financial gap by touting the endorsements she had from some of the state’s top Democratic leaders, including Gov. Wes Moore, a rising star in the party, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and Rep. Jaime Raskin.