Prince George’s executive is seeking to become first Black senator from Maryland
By Asia Matthews
Special to the AFRO
Black women seeking to make political history were highlighted during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
At the forefront, of course, was Vice President Kamala Harris, who secured the Party’s nomination as she seeks to cement her place in history as the first woman to assume the helm of the White House. But in a smaller spotlight were two women also chasing history: Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), both vying to join the exclusive club of Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Alsobrooks, who would become the first African American senator from Maryland should she win, delivered a prime time speech on night two of the convention, elevating her national visibility. But hours before that, Alsobrooks and Rochester were feted at a fundraiser held at the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago, where forerunners Sen. LaPhonza Butler (D-Calif.) and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) – Black women who served in the U.S. Senate – were expected to attend.
Alsobrooks used the opportunity to explain her policy priorities and life experiences. She later expounded on her commitment to advancing women’s rights, health care reform, and economic opportunities for students and young people.
The Maryland executive said she believes in the right of a woman to freely make her own health care decisions, and it should be supported by a federal law that protects a woman’s reproductive rights.
“One of the first pieces of legislation that I want to co-sponsor is the Women’s Health Protection Act, to ensure that women have codified in federal law the right to choose,” she said.
Alsobrooks also supports the Inflation Reduction Act, which was championed and created by President Biden. She wants some of the Act’s provisions to be expanded to help decrease health care costs.
Additionally, Alsobrooks said she wants to enhance economic opportunities, particularly for young people and college students who attend HBCUs like Morgan State University in Baltimore.
“My No. 1 issue is making sure that students, like the students at Morgan State University, can graduate with the real expectation that they can afford to buy a home, to have high paying jobs, to support their families and to be able to live the American dream,” she said.
Alsobrooks stressed the importance of voting, calling it both a “right” and “an obligation.” She encouraged students to exercise their right to vote.
The Prince George’s politician would need the momentum gained from her DNC appearance as she vies for the Senate seat against Republican candidate, former Gov. Larry Hogan.
The pair presents sharply contrasting visions for Maryland’s future, setting the stage for a pivotal election that will influence the direction of the state’s policies and priorities.
For example, the “Hogan for Maryland” campaign sent an open letter to Alsobrooks on July 3, urging her to reconsider her support for new taxes and fees.
“The burden of these regressive taxes and fees will be paid by the struggling Marylanders who can least afford them,” the campaign wrote.
Stating that the affordability crisis affects all Marylanders regardless of political affiliation, the campaign stressed the need for leaders like Alsobrooks to prioritize the people over party interests.
“The affordability crisis impacts everyone in our state,” Hogan wrote. “At this critical time, Marylanders deserve leaders who are willing to stand up to the party bosses to fight for them.”