OWINGS MILLS, Md. – In the first and only debate of the unusually competitive Maryland Senate race Thursday, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsbrooks and former Gov. Larry Hogan squared off on the issue of abortion and whether the deep blue state would be best represented. staunch Democrat or anti-Donald Trump Republican.
Hogan has distanced himself from the former president and the current GOP presidential candidate, portraying himself as someone willing to “put country before party.” He emphasized his support for codifying federal protections for abortion and argued that Maryland could counter growing partisanship by electing “strong, independent leaders.”
Alsobrooks rejected that framing, arguing that a vote for Hogan would mean voting for a Senate Republican majority that threatens abortion rights and support for Ukraine. And when asked how he differs from those within the party, he said instead: “I support the Democratic agenda.”
The fight over abortion rights has taken center stage, echoing the rhetoric in campaign ads across the state. During the debate, moderated by NBC News senior political analyst Chuck Todd and three panelists — Deborah Weiner, anchor of NBC affiliate WBAL in Baltimore; NBC Washington investigative reporter Tracee Wilkins; and Maryland Public Television host Jeff Salkin – Hogan has promised that supporting a bill to codify abortion protections will be his “first” priority in the Senate, and has called attacks on him on the issue “insulting.”
“You’re not going to hear anything but red versus blue. I care more about red, white and blue,” Hogan said. “When I ran for governor, I promised to support women’s access to abortion, and I kept that promise for eight years.”
But Alsobrooks said Marylanders should look no further than the “R” next to Hogan’s name on the ballot.
“The problem he’s going to face is that his party doesn’t agree with him,” he said. “The Republican Party has declared war on women’s reproductive freedoms, on contraception, on IVF. The point is, if Roe gives the Republicans a majority, it won’t be voted on.”
Hogan, a popular former two-term governor, drew on his history with state voters in the race. He was well ahead of the typical Republican in the state as he sought to become the first Republican to represent Maryland in the Senate since the 1980s.
But Alsobrooks, who is backed by prominent Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and former President Barack Obama nationally — continues to lead in public polls in a race Democrats must win to have a chance at capturing the Senate next year. He is also running to become Maryland’s first black senator.
National Democrats and Republicans poured millions into the race in a place that doesn’t typically feature competitive state races — with Joe Biden leading Maryland by 33 percentage points in the 2020 presidential election.
Alsobrooks’ campaign and its Democratic allies spent $13 million on campaign ads in September alone, according to tracking firm AdImpact. Meanwhile, Hogan’s campaign and the GOP spent $8 million on ads.
Only in the first 10 days of this month, Democrats spent more than 5.5 million dollars on advertisements, and Republicans more than 8 million dollars.
The two candidates agreed that the Supreme Court has become too politicized. But Hogan, who outspoken critichas been done timing Attorney General Amy Coney avoided whether Barrett would vote for Barrett in the 2020 confirmation process or for Brett Kavanaugh, another Trump appointee who was confirmed by just one vote.
“I wasn’t there and I don’t know how I would have voted,” he said.
Alsobrooks, meanwhile, told the Supreme Court he supports the changes. “I am very worried about this Supreme Court. I don’t think they represent the will of the people anymore,” he said, adding that he supports “either” term limits for justices or expanding the court.
Hogan criticized Alsobrooks and “both sides” of the aisle for “trying to change the rules so we can get a lawsuit.”
“If you can’t get one person to vote for a Democrat judge or a Republican judge, I’m not going to support them,” Hogan said.
But Alsobrooks pointed out Hogan’s speech in 2022 At a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, he praised Trump for nominating “incredibly fair justices to the Supreme Court.”
During the said speech, Hogan called for a “course correction” within his party away from Trump and severely criticized the standard-bearer of his party. But he also said, “We have to give President Trump all the credit he deserves for his accomplishments in office,” including his tax cuts, his support for Israel and his comments about Supreme Court justices.
Addressing Alsobrooks’ criticism Thursday, Hogan said it came in light of the praise court decision that year remove restrictions on public funding of private religious schools, including Jewish schools.
“I thought it was an incredible decision, but I called them out on all the bad decisions,” he said.
The winner will replace retired Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and will serve alongside Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen on that committee.
That dynamic was one reason foreign policy loomed large Thursday. Regarding Israel, Alsobrooks was asked if he would try to emulate Cardin’s approach (Cardin led a delegation led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu). Summer Address to Congress) or Van Hollen (who boycotted the address and criticized Netanyahu’s “ultra-right extremist coalition”). He protested.
“Neither am I. I’m Angela Alsobrooks,” he said, drawing support from both Democrats.
“We recognize the terrible attack that took place in Israel on October 7, and I believe that we have an obligation at this time to bring those hostages home to their families. “Making sure we get aid to Gaza for the fire, but also for the Palestinians who are suffering,” he said.
Alsobrooks further emphasized the need to ensure peace and security in Israel [and] Peace, security and self-determination for Palestinians in Gaza.”
Hogan responded by praising Cardin, saying “there would be more champions for Israel like Ben Cardin” and criticizing Alsobrooks’ response for “trying to define or do both sides”.
“At times like these, people need to stand up and be counted, and we as a country need to stand by our allies, and Israel is our most important ally,” Hogan said.
“And I don’t think you can try to walk away in the middle of that,” he said.
The candidates agreed that the United States should continue to support Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russian aggression.
Under pressure, Hogan said that they would go so far as to support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
Undeterred, Alsobrooks said instead: “It’s a complicated question whether we should do it or not. I think it needs to be looked into.”
Alsobrooks also addressed his statements he claimed he was not eligible for tax benefits An issue that has become part of a Republican attack on a property in Washington. The Democrat said it was an oversight after he committed to paying off his grandmother’s mortgage and didn’t realize the senior citizen loan still applied.
“When I found out about this, I contacted the D.C. government and I’m trying to get this tax credit back and pay the interest,” he said.
When asked about the issue, Hogan responded, “I don’t know that people should make judgments based on that. He just needs to have an opportunity to explain himself.”