Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive, is on a mission to make history this November as Maryland’s first Black senator.
Her upcoming address at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday will highlight her long-standing friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris. In a challenging race against ex-Governor Larry Hogan, Alsobrooks’ speech comes at a time when several Democrats in competitive elections have decided to skip the DNC.
Alsobrooks will take the stage just before prime-time coverage, reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s impactful speech the night before. This prime slot underscores the significance of her message and draws parallels between her trailblazing campaign and that of Harris.
Earlier this year, Alsobrooks triumphed in the Democratic primary against Representative David Trone, who poured a staggering $60 million into his campaign, marking it as the costliest primary in Maryland’s history.
Although Democrats have historically dominated Maryland’s Senate races—having not lost a seat in over four decades—Hogan poses a serious threat. He left office in 2023 with an impressive 77 percent approval rating, enjoying support from both parties, particularly a whopping 81 percent among Democrats, according to a January 2023 poll.
Recent polling indicates that the race is closer than anticipated. A survey from Public Policy Polling has Alsobrooks leading Hogan 45 to 34 percent among 635 voters in Maryland.
“The road ahead will be tough,” Alsobrooks stated after securing her primary win. “Maryland is a blue state, but we must work hard to keep it that way, as Hogan and his allies want to take this seat.”
Alsobrooks holds the title of the first woman elected as Prince George’s County Executive. She began her career in 1997 as an Assistant State’s Attorney and was the first full-time prosecutor for domestic violence cases.
In 2010, she made history again as the youngest person and the first woman elected as the County’s State Attorney. She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor’s in Public Policy and earned her law degree from the University of Maryland. Alsobrooks is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and is a mother to a daughter named Alex.
The bond between Alsobrooks and Harris has grown over the years, especially since Harris congratulated Alsobrooks on her 2010 election, which mirrored policies Harris championed in San Francisco. Their mutual support has been prominent, with Alsobrooks appearing at events alongside Harris, President Biden, and Governor Wes Moore.
“Their established relationship boosts the excitement within our state,” remarked Karen Darkes, executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, in an interview with CNN.