The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is May 14 and a viable candidate will emerge as the winner. The two leading candidates, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Congressman David Trone are both good people. Whoever wins deserves Marylanders’ votes in November despite the candidacy of former Governor Larry Hogan.
Maryland and America will suffer if Hogan wins. His vote, as I wrote last week, could provide MAGA Republicans the margin they need to control the Senate. The consequences of that control, especially if Trump is returned to the White House and Republicans win the House, could be disastrous.
Democrats have two problems this year as it works to retain Ben Cardin’s Senate seat. The first is the popularity of Hogan. The former governor left office with remarkably high approval ratings. He also earned the admiration of many Marylanders by rejecting MAGA and Donald Trump.
For most of last year, Hogan flirted with the “No Labels” third-party movement. Although the “No Labels” movement is now evaporating, Hogan’s affiliation with it appealed to some Marylanders, especially those who dislike both Trump and President Biden. Hogan, it appeared, was a man who could rise above party.
Hogan’s surprise decision to run as a Republican for Senate shows that, in the last analysis, he is just another Republican. It is no longer possible to be Republican without indirectly supporting Trump.
The Democrats’ second problem is the dilemma of having two strong candidates, but compared to Hogan, are relatively unknown. One is PG County Executive Alsobrooks, well-educated but relatively inexperienced (her critics say). The other is a self-funded Congressman who made his fortune in wine, beer, and liquor sales. Trone is self-financing his campaign.
Of the two candidates, Alsobrooks is the more progressive. That may be a negative on the Eastern Shore, but Alsobrooks is no radical. She is also 15 years younger than Trone. Seniority is important in the Senate. The possibility of Alsobrooks serving three, four, or more terms in the Senate is a plus.
I endorse Alsobrooks, with enthusiasm. Her politics are consistent with those of Governor Moore and our two current Senators, Van Hollen and Cardin. She attended Duke University and the University of Maryland Law School and served as County attorney. She grew up in PG County and is a lifelong Marylander.
The suggestion that she is too inexperienced to serve in the Senate is nonsense. Her experience and educational credentials exceed those of dozens of sitting legislators from both parties. If elected, Alsobrooks will have no problem engaging in issues important to Marylanders, including economic development, women’s healthcare, education, and the environment.
Importantly, Alsobrooks, who is Black, will be better able than Mr. Trone to represent Maryland’s diversity. As a Black woman, she will be looked to as a leader on social issues. She will also help rebuild enthusiasm for President Biden in the Black community.
Mr. Trone is also a good man and has been an effective legislator in the House. I like his work on mental health and addressing the Fentanyl epidemic. But I must admit to discomfort with his wealth and his history in the liquor business. I am tired of rich people buying political office. This includes several sitting Senators from both parties and, of course, former President Trump, who claimed to be self-funding his presidential campaign in 2016. (This is not the case in 2024, where Trump’s efforts have descended into disgusting bible sales and appeals based on his criminal indictments.)
We do not need more rich white men in the Senate (or in the House). That having been said, the election of Trone would not be a disaster in any sense. He is a solid Democrat and would help keep the Senate away from MAGA control.
Maryland has been exceptionally well-represented in the Senate for many years. Alsobrooks would continue that streak, as would a Trone victory.
A Democratic win in November is not a certainty. Democrats will need a strong turnout.
Democrats (and Maryland) will benefit from a strong voter turnout for the primary on May 14. May 14 provides an opportunity for the party to say, “We’ve got two good candidates. Both are better choices than the Republican, even if that Republican is Larry Hogan.”
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant. He writes on politics, government, and, too infrequently, other subjects.
Chad Potter says
I have never read such a racist article. To state that just because she is black she will be better able than Trone to represent Marylands Diversity. We don’t need more rich white men ? WOW crazy and very closed minded.
How is that not racist ? Flip the script if your comments was we don’t need anymore poor Blackman in the senate or house how would that be seen !
J. E. Dean says
I don’t think I can thank you for your comment. It is not every day that an angry reader accuses me of racism. I wonder how many people of color would agree with your comment or disagree with me that Alsobrooks, as a person of color, might better understand their needs and priorities than Congressman Trone.
Ex-president Trump has promised to root out “anti-white racism” if elected in November. I suspect he would agree with your comment.
Carol Voyles says
Perceptions must be considered. Otherwise, how can we explain anyone supporting Trump?
John Fischer says
This is your second attempt, Mr. Dean, to explain to Marylanders why they should reject as their senator a man they twice trusted as their governor.
But Marylanders recognize an honorable person when they see one. Stay safe in your silo.
John Dean says
Thank you for commenting. My point in urging voters not to support Hogan for Senate is because the Republican party is irreparably broken (in my view). Had Hogan ran as an independent with a promise to caucus with the Democrats, I would not have been as vocal on opposing him as I have been.
Michele La Rocca says
Wrong! She is a terrible candidate for Senate. I had the extreme misfortune of living in PG County under her hopeless, inept regime. She gets nothing done. County has gone to the dogs under her complete lack of leadership. Do NOT vote for her.
John Dean says
Thank you for offering your perspective on Alsobrooks. I’m curious how the county has gone to the dogs under her watch.
Sarah LaRocca says
DO Not vote for her. I lived in PG under her reign. She is hopeless and gets nothing done. The County went to the dogs and is crime ridden due to her complete lack of leadership.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece and for commenting. Your comment might be more useful to other readers (and to me) if you offered a couple of details on Alsobrooks’ failures.
Rebecca Ellison says
It’s a mystery to me how J.E. Dean apparently believes that we need and perhaps even welcome his repeated efforts to persuade us to take his view of things … even things that are not the least confusing. Such as, for example, whether Donald Trump is (or isn’t) a very flawed man. Now he writes to give us his detailed, albeit flawed and superficial, step-by step guidance again … and, this time, the lecture is about the upcoming election to choose a new Maryland senator.
A simple mention of his preference would have been just fine … his condescending lecture and personal biases are offensive here.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. I write on politics and, with the primary coming up, thought it appropriate to comment on the contested Senate race between Trone and Alsobrooks.
And if I simply mentioned my preference, my column would have been awfully short . . .
Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) says
You make a number of sound, reasoned arguments. The problem is that they apply in a reasoned world. In that world, we would be in the second term of a Clinton presidency; the international situation would look very different. Mr. Gilchrest, had he chosen to, would likely still represent the First District. In that world we would vote for the “best,” according to our views, candidate.
But we are not in that world. In this world, flawed as it may be, we must select the candidate most capable of beating Mr. Hogan.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and for your comment. I agree with your analysis, as you may have guessed.
Rebecca Ellison says
Oops, Dean not Deane … sincere apologies.
Stephen Schwarz says
Maybe I’m naive. I don’t think so. Maybe I’m drinking the Hogan kool aid. I am thirsty for a reasonable voice in Congress. I think it is incorrect to think that Hogan will just be another MAGA Republican. I hope there are enough Republicans in the Senate willing to stand up to Trump and his minions. They just need a leader to work with. And I think the Democrat leadership is looking for a group they can work with to get things done for America. I remember the days when compromise was not a dirty word. I believe Hogan can be that leader.
The writer says, “The possibility of Alsobrooks serving three, four, or more terms in the Senate is a plus.” I am so tired of people in any legislature, state or federal, remaining in their position for 18, 24, or more years. I fully support term limits. I understand the advantages of seniority, but the value of new blood in the seats of government is the greater bargain.
The only thing I know for sure is Robin Ficker is not the answer. I will be satisfied with Alsobrooks or Trone, but Hogan is my choice.
Anne Stalfort says
Why in the world would you think any Republican would stand up to Trump? Hogan would go right along with draconian Federal abortion laws. Hogan winning would probably give the Senate majority to the Republicans. If there was a Supreme Court vacancy, Republicans would nominate another member of the Federalist Society. I will vote blue to save our democracy.
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment. You make several good points. I agree with you on term limits and seniority, which is why I noted that Alsobrooks is younger than Trone.
I hope you are right about Hogan establishing himself as an independent (independent of Trump) voice of reason in the Senate. I worry that there will not be many non-MAGA Republicans left in Congress by 2025.
Barbara Denton says
The possibility of a 3 to 4 term for Alsobrooks is a nightmare I cannot even think about. What has Ben Carden or Chris VanHollen done for Maryland? Absolutely nothing. We do not need or want a failed County Executive who rules over a county that few if any Marylanders would willingly move to in the Senate. I am not a Trone supporter either, but your condescending attitude as to how he made his money and that he is a white man is over the top. Talk about racist.
In reality you have two crummy candidates and the truth will out in November.
John Dean says
You’re the second reader this week to call me a racist. . .
Wilson Dean says
One of the factors overlooked in Mr. Hogan’s popularity is that an enormous amount of the good legislation that passed during his role as Governor occurred when his veto was overriden by the supermajority of Democrats in the legislature or when he simply allowed bills to pass without his signature (to show his disagreeement with them). A hard look at his record shows someone who vetoed an increase in the minimum wage, vetoed background gun checks, and vetoed improvements to workers’ benefits. He resisted programs to effectively deal with climate change, instead offering up a business-friendly program that would have accomplished very little. In reality, Hogan was popular in Maryland because the supermajority kept him from imposing his own views that would have made Maryland a much less progressive state.
I will support either Trone or Alsobrooks in the general election. My vote in the primary will be for Alsobrooks, because I believe she possesses a forward looking perspective that will only enhance Maryland’s congressional team. That view is apparently also shared by others in Maryland whom I greatly admire, include Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Jamie Raskin, Governor Wes Moore, and former Senator Barbara Mikulski.
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment, in particular for the perspective on Hogan’s record as governor.
Anne C Stalfort says
Agree! Hogan gets credit that should go to the Democrats in the State legislature.
Eric Ploeg says
“Her politics are consistent with those of Governor Moore and our two current Senators”…? Enough said. Moore is destroying our state and she has done nothing to improve life for the residents in her community. Get real.
John Dean says
“More is destroying our state.” I must be missing something.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
What matters most to me is keeping the Senate out of Republican control because this is the body which approves federal judges. I have never voted a straight ticket and, at 81, I have never missed an election. This is too important. Judge Canon in Florida is an example of what I fear. As is, I hate to add Judge Thomas on the SCOTS.
Thomas Jiminez says
A litany of flawed reasoning and erroneous conclusions fill this opinion piece.
Larry Hogan is not a “MAGA” friend. In fact, Hogan has tried several ways to reduce Donald Trump, even being instrumental in the No Labels movement. He has overtly (and rather, loudly) espoused his disdain for Trump and has veered off cause from the ideology. To draw his election as a vote for Trump is baseless and unfounded.
Second, using your rationale on diversity, being of the same ethnic background or race (optics) doesn’t mean that the representative will be better for people who look like them. Baltimore has had repeated horrendous black leadership, even though the city is predominantly black. There are white leaders who don’t best represent the best interest of white people (you, yourself have cited Trump ad nauseum, as an example). Then, you reply to a comment by saying, in essence, “I’m not racist; black people can better understand black people”. That’s quite the contradiction and a prime example of double-speak.
Finally, we can agree on one thing, but for different reasons. Alsobrooks is better than Trone in the primary because at least she didn’t drop a racial slur in Congress, like Trone did. Regardless of it being a “slip-up” in terminology, it was on his brain and came out.
John Dean says
I’m not sure I can thank you for your comment. You seem to have missed my points (perhaps my fault). I did not say Hogan was a MAGA friend. I said that by running as a Republican, his election and organization as a member of the Republican caucus would benefit Trump if Trump wins.
I don’t accept your second point. I do believe that Black people can understand Black people better than white people. Your argument citing examples of failed black leaders does not prove your point. I also believe that rich people often don’t understand the challenges poor people face, as well as people who are “less rich.”
In any case, despite your first paragraph, thank you for commenting on my “flawed” piece. Healthy political discussion involves disagreement, and I welcome people disagreeing with me unless they resort to calling me a racist.