Democratic Gov. Wes Moore endorses Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland’s 2024 Senate race

BALTIMORE — Gov. Wes Moore is backing Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in next year’s U.S. Senate race in Maryland, providing her a key endorsement that could give her significant fundraising and organizational support ahead of the Democratic primary.

Moore is perhaps the most impactful in a long list of high-profile endorsements for Alsobrooks as she faces U.S. Rep. David Trone, a wealthy congressman from Montgomery County who has already outspent her 10-1.

As the effective leader of the party in Maryland and a rising star in national Democratic politics, Moore has extensive political backing across the state and beyond. His 2022 gubernatorial campaign — his first time seeking elected office — raised more than any other in a crowded field of experienced Democratic officials, and his win last November against a far-right conservative elicited more votes than any candidate for governor in Maryland history. He has since taken on a top fundraising role for the Democratic Governors’ Association and is a close ally of President Joe Biden.

His endorsement of Alsobrooks is also something of a full-circle moment. Her early endorsement of his campaign in the 2022 primary was considered a meaningful boost in Prince George’s County, home to the largest number of registered Democrats in the state. Moore’s large victory there helped put him over the edge in a close primary statewide.

Alsobrooks and Moore announced the endorsement at a rally Monday in Baltimore, just three days after a friend of Moore’s, Montgomery Councilman Will Jawando, exited the primary after nearly six months of campaigning. Jawando also threw his support behind Alsobrooks on Monday.

She has received other coveted endorsements from U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, as well as U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume and state Senate President Bill Ferguson, both from Baltimore, and state House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones of Baltimore County. Julian Jones, the Democratic chair of the Baltimore County Council, endorsed Alsobrooks at Monday’s event.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin of Baltimore, a Democrat whose retirement from the seat after three six-year terms created the open position, has not endorsed a candidate in the May 14 primary.

Alsobrooks, if elected to succeed Cardin, would be the first Black Marylander elected to the U.S. Senate. She would also be possibly the only Black woman in the chamber. There have been just three in the Senate’s 234-year history: incumbent Democrat Laphonza R. Butler of California and former senators Kamala Harris of California (now vice president) and Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois. Butler was appointed this month to fill the seat of Dianne Feinstein, who died in office, but has said she won’t seek election to a full term. Black women are seeking Senate seats in other states in 2024, including U.S. representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Barbara Lee of California.

Alsobrooks has made her potential history-making win a centerpiece of her campaign, alongside many traditional Democratic policy priorities. Now in her second four-year term leading Prince George’s, she was previously the county’s top prosecutor.

The solidifying of her support among the state’s Democratic establishment comes shortly after Trone reported spending nearly $10 million, mostly from his personal fortune, during the first three quarters of the year. Alsobrooks raised $3.3 million and spent $1.2 million during the same period and had $2.1 million left in the bank Sept. 30.

Trone’s campaign issued a statement Monday afternoon that did not specifically address Moore’s endorsement, while touting his own endorsements, promising others to come and saying voters are “most interested in where candidates stand on issues facing our communities.”

”Our campaign is honored to have the endorsements of 111 elected officials from across Maryland and the country who have seen David Trone’s ability to get things done for Maryland families first hand,” it said. “We’re rolling out more endorsements this week, and are thrilled and honored by the support we’ve received.”

Other Democrats have filed to run, including Anne Arundel County businessman Juan Dominguez. Candidates have until Feb. 9 to get on the ballot.

Republicans in the mix include former lawyer and perennial candidate Robin Ficker and retired Air Force Brigadier General John Teichert of Crofton. Ficker spent about $208,000 on his candidacy already, according to campaign finance reports. Teichert, a newcomer in the race, has not yet needed to report campaign finance details. Former two-term GOP Gov. Larry Hogan has repeatedly said he is not interested in pursuing the seat.

Green Party candidate Moshe Y. Landman has filed to run in the general election.