The 2024 United States Senate election in Maryland, held on November 5, 2024, was one of the most closely watched races in the country.
With the retirement of long-serving Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, an open seat created a dynamic contest that pitted Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) against popular former two-term Republican Governor Larry Hogan (R).
In a state that reliably votes Democratic at the federal level, Hogan’s candidacy presented a unique challenge, testing whether his moderate reputation and crossover appeal could overcome Maryland’s partisan leanings.
Angela Alsobrooks secured a decisive victory, retaining the seat for the Democrats and making history as the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate from Maryland.
This article provides an in-depth look at the candidates, the pivotal primary battles, the key issues that defined the general election campaign, the final results, and the significance of this crucial Senate contest.
Setting the Stage: Senator Cardin’s Retirement and the Open Seat Dynamic
The race was set in motion in May 2023 when Senator Ben Cardin, a fixture in Maryland politics for decades, announced he would not seek a fourth term. Cardin’s career spanned service in the Maryland House of Delegates, as Speaker of the House, in the U.S. House of Representatives, and finally, three terms in the U.S. Senate beginning in 2006. His retirement opened up a coveted Senate seat for the first time since Barbara Mikulski stepped down in 2016.
Open seat elections are inherently competitive. Without the advantage of incumbency, both parties saw an opportunity. For Democrats, holding the seat was crucial for maintaining their influence in the Senate.
For Republicans, the prospect of flipping a seat in a blue state like Maryland offered a potential pathway to regaining Senate control. Maryland, while having elected a popular Republican governor like Hogan twice, maintains a significant Democratic voter registration advantage, particularly strong in federal elections influenced by national trends.
This backdrop set the stage for intense primary contests and a high-stakes general election.
The Democratic Primary: A Battle of Establishment vs. Spending Power
The Democratic primary quickly evolved into a head-to-head contest between two prominent figures: Angela Alsobrooks and David Trone.
Angela Alsobrooks:
Serving as the County Executive of Prince George’s County (Maryland’s second-largest county) since 2018, and previously as the county’s State’s Attorney for two terms (2011-2018), Alsobrooks represented the Democratic establishment.
She garnered endorsements from top Maryland Democrats, including Governor Wes Moore, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Steny Hoyer.
Her campaign focused on “kitchen-table” issues like community safety, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, emphasizing her experience as a prosecutor and local executive. She also strongly championed protecting abortion rights.
David Trone:
A wealthy businessman (co-founder of Total Wine & More) and U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 6th congressional district since 2019, Trone brought immense personal financial resources to the race.
He largely self-funded his campaign, pouring over $61 million of his own money into the primary.
Trone argued his business background and willingness to self-fund made him independent of special interests.
He campaigned on his congressional record and contrasted his profile with Alsobrooks, whom he sometimes characterized as a “career politician.”
The Campaign Dynamics:
The primary was marked by the stark contrast in resources and approach. Trone saturated the airwaves with ads, highlighting his policy positions and occasionally attacking Alsobrooks’ record.
Alsobrooks, while significantly outspent (reports indicated a 10-to-1 spending disadvantage at points), relied on her deep roots in Maryland politics, strong support from party leaders, and grassroots mobilization.
The campaign touched on issues of electability against Hogan, experience, racial and gender representation, and campaign finance. Alsobrooks criticized Trone’s spending and past contributions to Republicans, while Trone questioned Alsobrooks’ record and suggested she lacked the readiness for the Senate, sometimes drawing criticism for ads featuring Black officials making such claims.
Alsobrooks’ Primary Victory:
Despite trailing in most public polls for much of the primary campaign, Alsobrooks experienced a surge in the final weeks.
This shift was attributed to consolidating establishment support, effective messaging, and perhaps some stumbles by the Trone campaign, including reported gaffes and negative reactions to attack ads.
On May 14, 2024, Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic primary convincingly, securing approximately 53.4% of the vote to Trone’s 42.8%.
Her victory was powered by strong margins in the populous Washington D.C. suburbs, particularly her home base of Prince George’s County, as well as Baltimore City and County, overcoming Trone’s strength in more rural areas and his home county of Frederick.
The Republican Primary: Governor Hogan Makes a Surprise Bid
While the Democratic primary was fiercely contested, the Republican side saw a seismic shift with the unexpected entry of former Governor Larry Hogan.
Larry Hogan:
Hogan served two terms as Governor of Maryland (2015-2023), remaining highly popular even in a heavily Democratic state.
He cultivated an image as a moderate, pragmatic Republican, often critical of Donald Trump and focused on fiscal issues and bipartisan cooperation.
After leaving office, many speculated about his national ambitions, possibly including a presidential run as an independent or third-party candidate.
The Surprise Entry:
Just hours before the filing deadline in February 2024, Hogan announced his candidacy for the open Senate seat, surprising many political observers.
His entry immediately transformed the race from a likely Democratic hold into a potentially competitive contest, given his established statewide profile and popularity.
Primary Win:
Hogan faced several primary opponents, most notably perennial candidate Robin Ficker.
Hogan’s name recognition and resources made the primary a formality.
He won the Republican nomination easily on May 14, 2024, with about 64.2% of the vote.
Hogan’s candidacy presented Democrats with a formidable opponent unlike any other Republican running in Maryland.
His potential to attract moderate Democrats and unaffiliated voters made the general election a true battleground, drawing significant national attention and resources.
The General Election: A Clash of Styles, Stakes, and Strategies
The general election campaign pitted Alsobrooks’ focus on core Democratic values and protecting past gains against Hogan’s message of moderation, bipartisanship, and fiscal discipline.
Angela Alsobrooks (Democrat):
Campaign Themes and Positions Alsobrooks positioned herself as the candidate who would protect Marylanders’ rights and continue the legacy of Democratic representation held by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen. Key elements of her campaign included:
Protecting Abortion Rights:
This was a central theme.
Alsobrooks consistently emphasized her support for codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and opposed any efforts to restrict abortion access.
She frequently highlighted Hogan’s past vetoes of state-level abortion access expansion bills and his appointments of conservative judges.
Economic Opportunity:
Focused on supporting working families, investing in infrastructure and education, raising the minimum wage, and ensuring corporations pay their “fair share” in taxes. She supported the child tax credit.
Healthcare:
Defending and building upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lowering prescription drug costs (citing the Inflation Reduction Act), and supporting paid family and medical leave.
Democracy and Voting Rights:
Emphasized protecting democratic institutions and expanding voting access.
Linking Hogan to National Republicans:
A key strategy was to tie Hogan to the national Republican party, particularly on issues like abortion and potential control of the Senate by Republicans who might pursue a more conservative agenda, regardless of Hogan’s personal stances.
Larry Hogan (Republican):
Campaign Themes and Positions Hogan aimed to replicate his gubernatorial success formula: appealing to the center, focusing on fiscal issues, and promising to be an independent voice against partisan extremes in Washington. Key elements included:
Fixing “Broken Politics”:
Called for bipartisanship, term limits, ending partisan gerrymandering, and being a voice for the “exhausted majority.”
Affordability and Economy:
Focused on cutting taxes (highlighting his record of tax relief for retirees as governor), reducing government spending, supporting small businesses, and addressing inflation. He also supported the child tax credit and earned-income tax credit.
Public Safety:
Advocated for “re-funding the police,” increasing penalties for violent offenders, and addressing the border crisis, while also noting his support for second-chance initiatives for ex-offenders.
Abortion Stance:
Hogan stated he was “pro-choice” and supported codifying Roe v. Wade. He aimed to neutralize the issue by promising not to support a national abortion ban.
However, he faced persistent attacks over his 2022 veto of the Abortion Care Access Act (which expanded provider types) and his withholding of funds designated for training new providers.
Distancing from Trump:
While accepting Trump’s endorsement later in the race, Hogan maintained his stance as a moderate Republican distinct from the MAGA wing of the party.
Key Issues and Debates:
The campaign saw fierce debate over several key issues:
Abortion:
Perhaps the most dominant issue. Alsobrooks relentlessly focused on protecting access, while Hogan tried to assure voters he wouldn’t support federal restrictions, pointing to his record of not changing Maryland’s abortion laws as governor.
Democrats questioned the sincerity of his position given his past actions and the national stakes for Senate control. Maryland voters also approved a constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights on the same ballot, potentially boosting Democratic turnout.
Economy:
Both candidates addressed inflation and affordability, offering different solutions based on their party’s typical approaches (targeted support vs. broad tax cuts/spending reduction).
Control of the Senate:
The race was framed nationally as critical for determining which party controlled the Senate.
Alsobrooks argued a vote for Hogan was effectively a vote for a Republican majority potentially hostile to Maryland’s interests, while Hogan argued he would be an independent check on either party.
Hogan’s Record vs. Party Affiliation:
Democrats worked hard to remind voters that despite Hogan’s moderate image, electing him would empower the national Republican party. Hogan countered by emphasizing his history of working across the aisle as governor.
Campaign Spending and National Focus:
Reflecting its importance, the race attracted significant spending from the candidates and outside groups.
Alsobrooks raised nearly $26 million, while Hogan raised over $10 million by Q3 2024, with national party committees and super PACs pouring in millions more.
Polling showed a competitive race throughout, with Hogan initially leading but Alsobrooks gaining ground and leading consistently, albeit sometimes narrowly, in polls closer to the election.
The Results: Alsobrooks Prevails, Makes History
On November 5, 2024, Maryland voters rendered their verdict.
- Winner: Angela Alsobrooks (D)
- Vote Share:
- Angela Alsobrooks (D): 1,650,912 votes (54.64%)
- Larry Hogan (R): 1,294,344 votes (42.84%)
- Mike Scott (L): 69,396 votes (2.30%)
- Outcome: Alsobrooks won by a comfortable margin of nearly 12 percentage points, outperforming many pre-election polls that suggested a closer contest.
Analysis of the Outcome:
Alsobrooks’ victory demonstrated the strength of the Democratic party infrastructure and base in Maryland, particularly in a presidential election year.
Her campaign successfully mobilized voters around key issues like abortion rights and leveraged the national political environment to tie Hogan to a Republican party unpopular in the state.
She performed exceptionally well in the populous counties surrounding Washington D.C. (Prince George’s, Montgomery) and the Baltimore metropolitan area.
Larry Hogan, despite his personal popularity and running significantly ahead of Donald Trump in Maryland (Trump received only 34.3% in the presidential race), could not overcome the state’s fundamental Democratic tilt in a federal election.
While he flipped Anne Arundel and Frederick counties (which voted for Kamala Harris for President) and became the first Republican to earn over a million votes in a Maryland Senate race, it wasn’t enough to counter Alsobrooks’ dominant performance in the Democratic strongholds. The nationalization of the race, particularly around abortion and Senate control, likely proved decisive.
Historic Significance:
Angela Alsobrooks’ election was a landmark achievement. She became:
- The first African American elected to the U.S. Senate from Maryland.
- The second woman to represent Maryland in the Senate (after Barbara Mikulski).
- One of only three Black women ever elected to the U.S. Senate at that time, serving alongside Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), who was also elected in 2024. This marked the first time two Black women served concurrently in the Senate.
Analysis and Broader Significance
The 2024 Maryland Senate election carried significant implications:
- Democratic Hold: Alsobrooks’ win was crucial for Senate Democrats. In an election cycle where Republicans ultimately gained control of the Senate (reaching a 53-47 majority), holding this open seat prevented further losses and kept the margin tighter.
- Limits of Crossover Appeal: The race underscored the difficulty even highly popular, moderate Republicans face in winning federal office in deep-blue states, especially in presidential years when partisan identities are heightened. Hogan’s brand was strong, but not strong enough to overcome the structural Democratic advantage and national political headwinds.
- Power of Key Issues: The election reaffirmed the potency of abortion rights as a mobilizing issue for Democrats post-Dobbs. Alsobrooks’ campaign effectively utilized the issue to energize her base and raise doubts about Hogan’s position.
- Maryland’s Political Identity: The result solidified Maryland’s status as a reliably Democratic state in federal contests, even when faced with a uniquely popular Republican opponent.
- A New Senator’s Journey: Angela Alsobrooks began her first term on January 3, 2025, bringing her experience as a prosecutor and county executive to the national stage. Her historic election adds a new voice and perspective to the U.S. Senate.
Key Takeaways: 2024 Maryland Senate Election
- Outcome: Democrat Angela Alsobrooks defeated Republican Larry Hogan to win the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Ben Cardin.
- Results: Alsobrooks won with approximately 54.6% of the vote to Hogan’s 42.8%.
- Historic Win: Alsobrooks became the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate from Maryland.
- Competitive Primaries: Alsobrooks overcame a well-funded challenge from Rep. David Trone in the Democratic primary, while former Governor Hogan’s surprise entry made the Republican primary less contested but set up a high-profile general election.
- Key Issues: Abortion rights were central, alongside the economy, healthcare, and the implications for control of the U.S. Senate.
- Hogan’s Challenge: Despite his popularity as a former governor, Hogan could not overcome Maryland’s strong Democratic leaning in a federal race, especially with national issues playing a significant role.
- National Significance: Holding this seat was vital for Senate Democrats in a cycle where Republicans gained the overall majority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who won the 2024 Maryland Senate election?
A: Angela Alsobrooks (Democrat) won the election, defeating Larry Hogan (Republican).
Q2: What were the final vote percentages?
A: Angela Alsobrooks received approximately 54.6% of the vote, while Larry Hogan received approximately 42.8%.
Q3: Why was this election important?
A: It was an open seat due to Senator Ben Cardin’s retirement, featured a popular former Republican governor (Hogan) running in a blue state, and had implications for the overall control of the U.S. Senate.
Q4: Who were the main candidates in the primaries?
A: In the Democratic primary, Angela Alsobrooks defeated U.S. Representative David Trone. In the Republican primary, Larry Hogan easily defeated several challengers.
Q5: What were the major issues discussed during the campaign?
A: Key issues included abortion rights, the economy and inflation, healthcare, public safety, border security, and the potential impact on the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Q6: Is Angela Alsobrooks the first Black Senator from Maryland?
A: Yes, Angela Alsobrooks made history as the first African American elected to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate.
Conclusion: A Defining Election for Maryland
The 2024 U.S. Senate election in Maryland was more than just a contest for an open seat; it was a defining moment that reflected the state’s political identity, the power of national issues, and the historic rise of a new leader.
Angela Alsobrooks’ decisive victory over the popular Larry Hogan showcased the resilience of the Democratic coalition in Maryland and the effectiveness of her campaign in mobilizing voters around core party principles, particularly the defense of abortion rights.
While Hogan mounted a formidable challenge that drew national attention, the result ultimately underscored the high bar for Republicans seeking federal office in the Free State.
As Senator Alsobrooks begins her term, she carries the mandate of Maryland voters and the distinction of breaking barriers, ready to represent the state’s interests in a closely divided Washington.
The race will be remembered as a pivotal clash that shaped Maryland’s representation and contributed significantly to the national political landscape of 2024.
