MD-SEN: In Deep-Blue Maryland, a Democratic Primary Turns Uncommonly Competitive

[RandySF]

The case for Ms. Alsobrooks, 53, goes something like this: She is a charismatic candidate who will be able to unite and excite the party, driving women and Black voters to the polls. She is largely the choice of the state’s Democratic establishment and less prone to gaffes and mistakes than Mr. Trone, who has a more freewheeling style. Her history as a former prosecutor will appeal to tough-on-crime centrists in the general election. And, in a year in which abortion is expected to be a deciding issue, backers argue it is better to have a woman taking it on.

“As women, we don’t want people talking about us and making decisions about us without us,” Ms. Alsobrooks said in an interview.

The case for Mr. Trone, 68, centers on money but is also about cross-party appeal. With a fortune he made as the owner of Total Wine & More, Mr. Trone’s personal wealth would allow national Democratic organizations to devote their resources to more conservative-leaning states such as Montana and Ohio where the party has seats at risk, while the congressman could use his own money to defeat Mr. Hogan. In part because of his work fighting the scourge of opioids, Mr. Trone has also been consistently able to gain enough Republican votes from rural parts of the state to win in a swing district. And he is a more accomplished businessman than Mr. Hogan, a status that is expected to appeal to centrist voters concerned about management of the economy.

“This will probably be an expensive race,” Mr. Trone said in an interview, adding that his self-financing “will give them a lot more flexibility to spend money elsewhere.”

The race to replace Senator Ben Cardin, who is retiring after holding the seat since 2007, is now a dead heat. After leading in early polls, Mr. Trone is locked in a statistical tie with Ms. Alsobrooks, according to the latest survey from Emerson College. Both candidates have an early advantage in the poll over Mr. Hogan, a prized recruit of Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader.




https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/12/us/politics/maryland-senate-democrat.html

[Deep State Witch]

1. This is a tough choice

On one hand, I live in Prince Georges County, and have been generally satisfied with Ms. Alsobrooks' term in office. We've seen a tremendous amount of growth here. However, there are still systemic issues like crime and schools that she is vulnerable on.

Trone is a white man. No denying that. He's also a millionaire who bought his House Seat. As opposed to Hogan, who was a millionaire who bought himself a Governor's seat. It seems to be a pattern in Maryland, because Wes Moore did the same thing. While Hogan was a good governor for a Repuke, his party has taken a hard turn to the right. His hand-picked successor lost the primary to a MAGAt. His main competition is perennial candidate and MAGAt Robin Ficker. (Yes, change one vowel in his name). I think that there are some places within Maryland where a white man would do much better than a black woman in the General Election.

Whichever one wins, I'm backing them 100%.

[RandySF]

3. Money is the only issue with me.

I’ll make a donation if Alsobrooks wins because I suspect she’s low on cash.