In a civil debate that could impact the control of the U.S. Senate, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks expressed both agreement and disagreement. The debate, their only one for the 2024 Senate race, took place on Maryland Public Television just weeks before the Nov. 5 elections, which will determine Senate control. Hogan’s late entry into the race has made it competitive in Maryland.
Polls indicate that Alsobrooks is leading Hogan, with a 9-point lead according to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Institute of Politics poll, and an 11-point lead according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll.
During the debate, Alsobrooks accused Hogan of aligning too closely with the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump. However, Hogan emphasized his independence and willingness to criticize both parties, citing his record of standing up to politicians on both sides of the aisle, including Trump.
Despite their political differences, Hogan and Alsobrooks found common ground on issues like abortion and gun control. They both expressed support for a woman’s right to choose and a ban on assault weapons. However, they disagreed on issues like inflation and the filibuster, with Alsobrooks advocating for its abolition or reform while Hogan argued for its preservation.
One notable point of disagreement was their stance on support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These differences, along with their agreements on certain issues, highlighted the diversity of opinions in this pivotal Senate race.
Following the 7 attack, the terrorist group carried out the deadliest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
Alsobrooks showed solidarity with Israel’s right to self-defense, but also called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hogan voiced strong support for the Jewish state.
“I believe that taking a neutral stance on this issue is not viable,” Hogan stated.
