COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Democrat Angela Alsobrooks emerged the victor Tuesday night in Maryland’s closely watched Senate race, defeating former two-term Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.
Alsobrooks led Hogan 54.6%-43.3% when the Associated Press called the contest at 9:32 p.m. ET, with about 52% of the ballots counted.
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Alsobrooks, the top elected official in Prince George’s County as county executive, will become Maryland’s first black U.S. senator. During her victory speech to supporters gathered at the Hotel at the University of Maryland, College Park, she acknowledged a historic marker she will achieve once sworn into the Senate in January, with only two black female senators before her having been elected in U.S. history.
“It’s remarkable to think that in two years, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. And in all those years, there have been more than 2,000 people who have served in the United States Senate,” Alsobrooks said. “And only three have looked like me.”
Hogan’s surprise last-minute entry into the race earlier this year turned what would have otherwise been a shoo-in for Democrats into a competitive matchup against a popular centrist ex-governor. His candidacy forced Democrats to divert millions of dollars from other crucial battleground races.
Still, Hogan’s independent streak proved unable to win over enough split-ticket voters to fill the seat of retiring longtime Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD).
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Hogan reflected upon his time working with Alsobrooks in Maryland politics and described her as a “dedicated public servant.”
“I want to thank my fellow Marylanders, especially all those in deep-blue Maryland who were willing to put country over party and split their tickets,” Hogan said. “We proved that campaigns can be about so much more than just red vs. blue.”
