article

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 20: Maryland Democratic Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, a

Democrat Angela Alsbrooks is projected to win MarylandThe race for the US Senate in 2024, defeating the Republicans Larry Hogan.

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

Alsobrooks won an expensive primary, and her campaign and other Democratic groups have spent or set aside about $30 million on ads since the general election began. He 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 candidate for the United States Senate

Alsobrooks has experience in public service and served as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney for eight years before being elected county executive twice. She will transition to the United States Senate from her current position with two years remaining in her term.

Alsobrooks launched her 2023 Senate campaign with a video sharing her family’s story of how she left South Carolina for Maryland after her great-grandfather was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy. When she was a young prosecutor, she met the vice president Kamala Harristhen attorney general of California, forming 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 electing Hogan could give Republicans a majority in the Senate.

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

READ MORE: Senate Candidate Alsobrooks Receives $47,000 Bill for Improper DC Tax Claims

Her campaign highlighted her experience as a county executive, focusing 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 that Claimed Property Tax Credits for two homes. Her campaign said she was unaware of the issue. He claimed property and senior tax credits for a home in Washington, D.C., and property credits for another in Prince George’s County. Alsobrooks owns two homes in Prince George’s and received a property exemption for the first home in May 2008. When she moved to a new home and rented the Upper Marlboro townhouse, she did not transfer the property tax credit. She also owned a home in Washington after taking over the mortgage when her grandmother moved in 2005.

What does Angela Alsobrooks think about these issues.

Economy

Alsobrooks opposes Trump-era tax cuts and pushes to prioritize aid to families. During Maryland’s primary election in May, Alsobrooks said, “We look at these large corporations that, frankly, are not always paying their fair share. The corporate tax rate is one that former President Donald Trump adjusted to benefit corporations. “I would be in favor of raising the corporate tax rate so that we all pay our fair share.”

While Alsobrooks has criticized the tax cuts, she has also faced her own scrutiny. The County Executive was found to have improperly saved thousands of dollars in DC property tax credits intended for low-income residents and seniors. His campaign claims the tax errors were unintentional. Their attorneys are working with local officials to resolve the issue.

health care

Alsobrooks aims to expand Medicaid to achieve universal health coverage. He advocated for the federal government to extend Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which ten states have decided not to implement.

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

reproductive rights

After the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022, Democratic candidates have been highlighting reproductive rights, emphasizing the critical nature of the issue.

On the issue of abortion, Alsobrooks has said she will co-sponsor the Women’s Health Protection Act. The legislation prohibits states from establishing restrictions on abortion.

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

“This race is about defeating Donald Trump. It’s about, in doing so, making sure we’re protecting our reproductive freedoms. It’s about making sure we have sensible gun laws that protect our children from gun violence. It’s about about protecting voting. human rights, it’s about building an economy that works for all of our children,” Alsobrooks said. “This race is also about preserving the 51st vote. That’s why the Senate race is equally so important to make sure we confirm Supreme Court justices who respect our freedoms, unlike these conservative judges.”

Immigration

In Maryland, immigration has been center stage following the recent controversy in Harford County. Alsobrooks has pledged to support immigration reform. Its website says it hopes to create a “pathway to citizenship for those already living and working in the United States.”

As county executive, Alsobrooks implemented policy on how Prince George’s County interacts with federal immigration officials. She ordered that the county Department of Corrections notify ICE only when an undocumented immigrant was arrested for violent or gang-related 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 authorities should not be responsible for immigration enforcement.

Foreign policy

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

arms

Alsobrooks has said that, as a senator, she would ban assault weapons. “I began my career as a domestic violence prosecutor in 1997 because I believed then what I believe today, which is that everyone should feel safe and be truly safe in the communities they serve. When I was a state attorney, I oversaw a 50% reduction in violent crimes. I have continued to work to keep our families safe. I have funded our police and public safety operations,” Alsobrooks said in an interview with FOX 5. “Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in the United States. not just in Prince George’s County in the United States, no car accidents, no diseases, no gun violence, that’s why, as a senator, I’m going to work to do what Larry Hogan hasn’t done, which is work to remove ours. communities assault weapons.

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.