By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Eight U.S. Senate candidates attended a March 21 forum in Baltimore the day after a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll revealed that Republican frontrunner and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) is leading his Democratic opponents.
Before Hogan suddenly entered the race on Feb. 9, Democrats, through Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.-06), were believed to have a clear path to the seat in November.
Now, according to the poll, Hogan is leading by double digits over his Democratic competitors. About 49 percent of voters said if the general election were today, they’d choose Hogan over Trone. About 37 percent said they would select Trone over Hogan.
Around 50 percent of voters said they’d choose Hogan over Alsobrooks, while 36 percent said they choose Alsobrooks over Hogan.
“We’ve got to be real about what is coming at us,” said U.S. Senate Candidate Brian Frydenborg (D), during the forum at New Psalmist Baptist Church. “Hogan 50–Alsobrooks 36, Hogan 49–Trone 37, that is not where we need to be as Democrats. What that means is that despite the best of intentions and two quality frontrunners, we are failing.”
The results were not completely in Hogan’s favor, though. The poll found that 55 percent of the surveyed Maryland voters prefer a Democrat-controlled Senate.
Maryland, a longtime blue state, hasn’t had a Republican senator in 37 years, but Hogan’s popularity as governor and bipartisan views make him a top contender for the seat.
“I think the Democratic candidate will still win in the end, but this is going to be a competitive race,” said Nina Kasniunas, an associate professor of political science at Goucher College.
In the months since Hogan entered the race, candidates have called out Hogan’s rhetoric and policies on reproductive rights and abortion. Alsobrooks said he is subject to compromise to Republican demands in the Senate.
“Larry Hogan, if re-elected, would align with Republicans,” said Alsobrooks.
Republicans largely agree with more restrictions on abortion or banning abortions altogether.
Michael Cobb Sr. (D), Marcellus Crews (D), Robin Ficker (R), John Myrick (R), Steven Seuferer (D) and Andrew Wildman (D) also attended the forum, but Trone and Hogan did not.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.