April 22, 2024

Maryland Reporter

SOME JURISDICTIONS TO BEGIN PROCESSING MAIL-IN PRIMARY BALLOTS: Mail-in ballots are starting to roll in across the Baltimore region as Maryland’s May 14 primary election draws near, with some jurisdictions preparing to process ballots as soon as today. According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, approximately 558,000 ballots have been sent to voters statewide for a primary with two presumptive presidential nominees at the top. In turn, voters have sent in 17% of those ballots to local election offices with their choices. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.

ALSOBROOKS, TRONE DEBATE TURNS UP LITTLE POLICY DIFFERENCE: As with several joint appearances since last fall, Friday night’s debate between Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Rep. David Trone of Potomac yielded a dearth of differences over policy issues in their race for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore). But that didn’t pre-empt the two from again clashing on matters ranging from their resumes to how they are financing their campaigns—along with who is better positioned to defeat the likely Republican nominee, former Gov. Larry Hogan, this fall. Louis Peck/MoCo 360.

• In the only televised forum in Maryland’s U.S. Senate campaign, Alsobrooks presented herself as a candidate comfortable with her standing and not needing to play catch-up in the weeks remaining before the May 14 primary. Independent polls indicate otherwise, but Alsobrooks says she and Trone are locked in “a statistical tie” in the Democratic nominating contest. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
• Pointing to polls, Trone declared he is the clear Democratic candidate to take on Hogan, a popular former governor. Trone, a U.S. House member representing Western Maryland, pointing to areas in the state where he could have an edge, such as the Eastern Shore. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
• Following the debate, Trone swiftly declared victory in a news release. Alsobrooks hailed her “standout performance.” Each claimed momentum heading into the next phase of the contest. Lateshia Beachum/The Washington Post.

ENDORSEMENT GAME INTENSIFIES IN SENATE RACE: Two powerful Black women officeholders from Prince George’s County are backing U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) over their own county executive, Angela Alsobrooks (D), for the U.S. Senate, as is state Sen. Cheryl Kagan. But Alsobrooks has been endorsed by The Washington Post editorial board, which could help move undecided voters, particularly in the state’s largest jurisdiction, Montgomery County. And EMILY’s List, a prominent Democratic fundraising group that is backing Alsobrooks, issued a denunciation of Trone. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.