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The Washington Post editorial board announced on Wednesday that it would be throwing its endorsement behind Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in the Maryland Senate race against Republican Larry Hogan, the state's former governor.
The endorsement of Alsobrooks is not a surprise, but it is notable given that the Post did endorse Hogan’s reelection bid in 2018.
Hogan’s entry into the race has made what was supposed to be a safe seat for Democrats a potential pickup opportunity for Republicans, though the former Maryland governor faces an uphill battle to flip the Senate seat – particularly in a presidential year.
The board wrote that the pair were both strong candidates, saying both “are experienced leaders who could represent Maryland ably.”
“The fact that the Democratic nominee faces a competitive contest at all says more about what’s right with Mr. Hogan than what might be wrong with her,” the board wrote. “While other Republicans have failed to gain traction statewide in deep-blue Maryland, the former governor remains popular.”
The Post said it was going with Alsobrooks because it was not convinced Hogan's record and "party-of-one political brand would add up to effectiveness as a legislator working on behalf of Maryland’s interests."
"It would help if Mr. Hogan had declared clear policy priorities, but his campaign is all about tone and process — except when he promises to respect reproductive rights, a defensive move forced on him by Ms. Alsobrooks’s unequivocal, and popular, pro-choice stance,” it wrote.
Hogan, running in a state where Vice President Harris is the huge favorite for president, has sought to cast himself as an independent voice for his state, while Alsobrooks has argued he would simply add a vote to the GOP in a closely-divided Senate.
The endorsement notably didn’t weigh into a more recent controversy pertaining to Alsobrooks and several tax breaks she reportedly improperly received. The campaign has said it’s working to address the tax exemptions after being unaware of the issue.
In endorsing Alsobrooks, the Post editorial board praised her efforts to lower the political temperature.
“Ironically, some of the proof comes from her past working relationship with Mr. Hogan, which both candidates describe as productive and respectful,” the editorial board wrote.
“Also clear from her record: She has climbed the ladder of government — assistant state’s attorney, state’s attorney, county executive — and performed effectively at each stage,” the editorial board continued. “This is a daughter of middle-class parents who has paid her dues in public service and has listened to her constituents and who knows Maryland from the grass roots up. She would have a special perspective as one of the few Black female senators ever elected.”
Alsobrooks said in a post on X that she was “honored” to have the newspaper’s backing.
“This support is a true testament to the movement we are building, one that will protect the freedoms of all Marylanders. Together, we will win this race and defend our Senate majority!” she wrote.
The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat “likely Democrat.”
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