By Ursula Perano, Politico
Democrat Angela Alsobrooks has won the Maryland Senate race, according to The Associated Press, fending off former two-term GOP Gov. Larry Hogan.
The win comes as a relief for Democrats, who had not budgeted to defend Maryland this cycle. It’s generally considered a safe blue seat, particularly in a presidential year. But Hogan is highly popular among Maryland voters — and his entrance ramped up focus on the race.
Alsobrooks leaned in on Senate math as a crux of her argument, asking voters to consider the likelihood of a Senate Republican majority if Hogan was elected. She frequently highlighted things like committee chairships or floor control as part of her case, though Hogan countered by vowing to be a “swing vote” in the upper chamber.
Alsobrooks is currently a county executive in Maryland. She will be the first Black senator from Maryland and among a handful of Black women ever elected to the Senate. She has called Vice President Kamala Harris a mentor, meaning the two women could be closely allied if in office at the same time.
Alsobrooks will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who opted for retirement after this term.