A fierce Democratic primary is coming to a head Tuesday, as voters decide whether Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) or Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) will face popular former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in the November election for a rare open Senate seat.
Trone, a wealthy businessman, had the money advantage early in the race and used it for aggressive campaigning, but Alsobrooks has closed in on him.
An Emerson College/The Hill poll recently showed that Alsobrooks, the favorite of the state’s Democratic establishment, has gained a slight lead.
Katie Grant Drew, a Democratic strategist who was a longtime top aide to former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told The Hill: “Maryland is a small state in terms of politics, and everybody knows everybody. Nobody wanted to see this turn into a nasty fight …
“It’s not surprising that things get heated towards the end,” she added, “but especially given the fact that the winner of the primary will be facing a popular former governor, there was not an unreasonable expectation for the candidates to stay focused on the broader goal of keeping the seat in Democratic hands.”
Hogan, who has gained national attention as a prominent “Never Trumper,” has managed to appeal to voters across the political spectrum in the typically blue state, but the fight for control of the Senate has added another dynamic to the race.
After putting off a decision for months about his future in politics Hogan dove into the race, but he has openly admitted that he still doesn’t have a “burning desire” to be a senator.
“I mean, who in their right mind would want to be part of that divisiveness and dysfunction? It’s complete gridlock,” he said in a recent interview with WTOP News. “I’m running because I want to try to be part of the solution and be part of cleaning up the mess and trying to get people to work together in a commonsense, bipartisan way, which is exactly what I accomplished for eight years as governor in the bluest state in America.”
Trone’s decision to run for the Senate has left his House seat up for grabs. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has labeled it a “likely Democrat” seat.
It’s not just Maryland: Voters in West Virginia and Nebraska also are heading to the polls. Catch up on those races here.
