In the Maryland U.S. Senate debate, Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican Larry Hogan clashed over abortion rights.
Alsobrooks criticized Hogan for vetoing a 2022 bill allowing non-physicians to provide abortions, which she argued showed he didn’t support women’s rights as he claimed. “The fact of the matter is when the former governor had an opportunity to stand up for the women of Maryland, he didn’t,”
Alsobrooks said. “He vetoed abortion care legislation. He doubled down and refused to release the funding to train abortion care providers.“
Hogan defended his record, expressing concerns over non-medical professionals performing abortions, but assured he supports codifying Roe v. Wade. “It was allowing non-medical professionals, and for you to lie about something as important as this issue, it really is insulting,” he responded.
The debate drew national attention as Hogan, a well-known moderate Republican in a deeply blue state, presents a unique challenge to Democrats.
Alsobrooks, aiming to become Maryland’s first Black U.S. Senator, emphasized the race’s stakes, arguing that a GOP-controlled Senate would mean no vote on Roe.
“The fact of the matter is there will be no vote on Roe, if he gives a majority to Republicans in the Senate,” she said.
On other issues, Alsobrooks supported Supreme Court reforms, while Hogan cautioned against politicizing it. Hogan, who has criticized Trump, defended his choice to write in Ronald Reagan rather than vote for Trump.
Alsobrooks questioned his bipartisanship, saying, “Rather than stand up, do the right thing, choose a tough vote and vote for a Democrat, he voted for a deceased individual.”
The debate highlighted Hogan’s balancing act as a moderate Republican in a state that hasn’t elected a GOP Senator in over 40 years.
His focus on independence, “You’re going to hear nothing but red vs. blue,” he said, with the race underscoring Maryland’s role in the larger national fight for Senate control.
