In Maryland's Democratic Senate race, a key competition emerges between a trailblazer and a wealthy contender.
"It truly feels empowering to consider the possibility of having a Black woman in the Senate," shared 68-year-old Kathy Pruitt from Takoma Park as she patiently waited in the pickle line last week.
Should Alsobrooks secure victory in November, she would stand out as the third Black woman to serve in the Senate (California's Laphonza Butler is the current member in this esteemed position, though she's set to exit at the end of this year, appointed and not seeking re-election). Moreover, Alsobrooks' entrance into Maryland's 10-member congressional delegation would aid in diversifying their gender representation, as the group currently consists exclusively of men.
However, Alsobrooks must first overcome obstacles presented by her Democratic rival, Rep. David Trone, the co-owner of Total Wine & More. The elections for both candidates have seen significant spending, with Trone investing around $60 million of his personal funds into his campaign.
"It's going to be a close race, and I believe both have a realistic shot at success," estimated Mileah Kromer, the director of the Goucher Poll, as she referenced potential factors, such as Alsobrooks' noteworthy endorsements and Prince George's County voter base, as well as Trone's substantial financial advantage.
The race has managed to divide members of Congress, with the vast majority of Maryland's congressional delegation endorsing Alsobrooks and pivotal figures in the House Democratic leadership opting for Trone.
The ultimate victor of the primary is likely to cross paths with former Republican Governor Larry Hogan in the next round, which could adversely impact Democrats' attempts to maintain hold of the seat. This, in turn, might lead to the diminishment of the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Despite Antjealsobrooks' promise to encourage women's presence at decision-making tables, for some voters, this aspect of her candidacy is not a primary motivation. Indeed, few discern perceptible differences between the candidates with regard to significant federal issues.
Alsobrooks and Trone have even appeared in each other's ads, citing their contrasting political beliefs. Yet, the significance of race and gender in this contest has not been completely erased, with areas like abortion rights occupying a prominent role in this fight.
Alsobrooks relies heavily on her lived experience when distinguishing herself from Trone, prioritizing the impact she can make as a county executive and a domestic violence prosecutor over Trone's assertions of his electability potential, given his capacity to financially outperform Hogan should they face off in a general election.
For many voters, like the 49-year-old French teacher from Bowie, the task of prioritizing a candidate resides in assessing their qualifications and performance in their current roles, as opposed to making decisions based solely on an identity. This voter has reservations about Alsobrooks because of her handling of matters in Prince George's County, which she perceives as faltering despite some progress. While her preference leans toward Trone, she highlights the importance of taking into account long-term implications.
In other words, becoming a part of history by electing a Black woman to the Senate is captivating; it's not the only aspect luring people to the polls. Other considerations, like individual accomplishments, political beliefs, and long-term outcomes, all play critical roles.
The chance to elect a Black woman is significant but not the sole determinant for some voters
The supporters walking with Alsobrooks while en route to an early voting center in Silver Spring sprang into action, reeling off her contributions to education and the local economy before deriving pleasure from discussing her gender – the supportive crowd turned their attention to her many accomplishments as a domestic violence prosecutor. This underpins the fact that her status as a woman doesn't overshadow her record; it's one aspect of her background that deserves to be acknowledged among the others.
The importance of electing women resounded during a community gathering at her campaign office, with Alsobrooks stating, "It's crucial for Maryland, and it's critical for America." This sentiment was echoed by Ellen Malcolm, the EMILY's List founder who shared her enthusiasm for making historical progressiveness recur in the state, referencing the significant role the support system played in Barbara Mikulski's 1986 entry into the Senate.
The endorsements from prominent political figures, such as former senator Mikulski, Governer Wes Moore, and all other present members of Maryland's congressional delegation, further solidified Alsobrooks' position. Yet, two House members decided to select Trone, one refusing to express her stance for fear of punishment at school.
The historic nature of Alsobrooks' candidacy remains groundbreaking, and the push for her victory echoes through the hearts of her supporters, yet the choice is not entirely dictated by the prospect of electing a woman in this position. Factors like her experiences and the potential to elect someone who will safeguard abortion rights factor into primary election voters' decisions.
So, while a Black woman's ascendance to the Senate represents a monumental step forward, her platform, accomplishments, and necessary skill set are equally significant. The electorate must consider the intersection of identity and policy to ultimately decide who should represent Maryland and ultimately, the nation.
Allies of Alsobrooks are viewing the Senate seat as an opportunity not just to maintain the status quo of one Black woman in the Senate, but also to expand the ranks. Along with California Rep. Barbara Lee's exit from the November elections, attention has switched to Delaware, where Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is vying for an open seat, and now Maryland.
Pamela Luckett, a 67-year-old woman from Silver Spring, believes Maryland should contribute to better representation in the Senate, stating, "As a leader in democracy across the country, it's very important that we do that - with a qualified person. It's not just about identity. She is qualified, and she is the most qualified candidate in that race."
However, experience and who possesses more of it has become a contentious subject, while also bringing the conversation back to race.
Trone, a first-time congressman since 2018, highlights his voting record and points out that he can get 10 Republicans to sign on to Senate legislation to get around a filibuster.
"That's what really matters is getting things accomplished, and not being beholden to any special interests," he mentioned.
Trone's campaign has been under fire for an attack ad that featured a local lawmaker stating, "Senate is not a place for training wheels." Over 750 Black women leaders strongly criticized Trone's ads, arguing that these comments "mirror tones of misogyny and racism."
"This attempt to undermine Ms. Alsobrooks' candidacy is profoundly disturbing and epitomizes the hindrances Black women face within the political realm," the letter read.
Alsobrooks has unhesitatingly challenged Trone's remark, attempting to differentiate their tones. "That kind of demeaning remark is what we've seen too much of in Washington; people are fed up with it," she told CNN over the weekend. "And it shows what's in his mind—that he has a low opinion of women."
Addressed with CNN about the "training wheels" comment, Trone denied saying it, attributing the words to the local lawmaker but maintained, "Honestly, she doesn't have the experience at the federal level."
Not only has he acquired local Black women supporting surrogates to push his argument, but he's also hammered in on her lack of experience at the federal level.
"You can't learn this overnight – you need to know this on Capitol Hill," said Joanne Benson, a state senator, while addressing a crowd at a Women for Trone event in Bowie Monday. "Do you grasp what the person who's going on Capitol Hill needs to deal with? The likes of Donald Trump?"
Alsobrooks' allies argue that it's not only about politics of identity; it's about her alignment with the community's interests.
"It's not that simple because it matters what you believe," said Prince George’s County councilmember Krystal Oriadha, who argued that playing identity politics is a tactic the GOP uses to exploit divisions within their own party. "They elevate someone because they believe, due to identity politics, if you're a woman, or Black, you'll forget the issue and be blind to whether or not they align with what's best for your community."
Trone's track record on hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and the backing of the teachers union are considered significant advantages by some Black women present in the area. They claim that Alsobrooks' potential historical accomplishment is overshadowed by Trone's far-reaching experience.
"It's not that simple, because what you believe matters," Prince George's County councilmember Krystal Oriadha emphasized, warning her party against applying identity politics. "They promote someone because they deem, based on identity politics, if you're a woman, or Black, you'll forget the issue and be oblivious to whether or not they line up with what's best for your community."
Supporters of Alsobrooks argue that despite Trone's massive spending, which certainly helped spread his message, it hasn't sealed the victory for him.
In fact, his immense wealth could be a negative factor for some voters.
At the pickle stand, Pruitt remarked, "We don't need another millionaire, billionaire in the Senate. I strongly believe that."
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Despite some voters valuing the opportunity to elect a Black woman to the Senate, they recognize that this is not the only determining factor. Experience, qualifications, political beliefs, and long-term outcomes also hold significant weight in their decision-making process.
The supporters of Alsobrooks, en route to an early voting center, emphasized her accomplishments as a domestic violence prosecutor and her contributions to education and the local economy, ensuring that her status as a woman did not overshadow her record.
Source: edition.cnn.com
