Maryland Senate Race Heats Up with Alsobrooks and Hogan's Fundraising Frenzy

The race for the Maryland Senate seat has become a high-stakes financial battle, with candidates Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan raising a combined .5 million, more than half of which was collected in the last quarter. This unprecedented level of fundraising puts the campaign on track to become the costliest Maryland Senate race in the last decade.

Fundraising Frenzy Fuels Competitive Senate Race

Alsobrooks Leads in Fundraising, Hogan Taps into Wider Network

Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic Senate nominee, has reported raising .3 million in the second quarter, bringing her total fundraising to .5 million since announcing her bid in spring 2023. With .6 million on hand as of June 30, Alsobrooks has demonstrated her ability to generate significant financial support for her campaign. In contrast, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan raised just under .1 million for his campaign account in the second quarter, and has raised million since entering the race in February. However, Hogan's campaign claims that his total raised is more than million when donations from affiliated accounts, such as the Hogan Victory Fund and the Better Path Forward political action committee, are included.

Maryland's Senate Race Attracts National Attention

Typically, Maryland's Senate races have not garnered significant national attention, as the state has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1980. However, the current race has become a target for both national parties, as Republicans are just one seat away from taking control of the Senate, and Hogan's popularity as a two-term Republican governor has made Maryland a battleground. The race was already one of the most expensive in the country after a Democratic primary in which Rep. David Trone (D-6th) spent .4 million, much of it his own money, in an unsuccessful bid to win the nomination.

Alsobrooks Faces Uphill Battle to Increase Name Recognition

Despite Alsobrooks' strong fundraising performance, she faces the challenge of raising her name recognition statewide to compete with the former governor. Hogan's higher name recognition and support from national Republicans have put Alsobrooks in the position of having to introduce herself to voters outside of the D.C. suburbs. However, Damian O'Doherty, a public affairs strategist and former Democratic operative, believes that Alsobrooks cannot be taken lightly, despite Hogan's advantages.

Money Alone Won't Decide the Race

While the significant fundraising by both candidates is noteworthy, experienced pollster and data analyst Patrick Gonzales believes that money is not likely to be the determining factor in the race. Gonzales argues that both Alsobrooks and Hogan have enough resources to run effective campaigns, and the election will ultimately be decided by factors beyond just financial resources.