ANNAPOLIS – Even in defeat Tuesday, Larry Hogan recognized the history of the moment of Angela Alsobrooks’ win in their U.S. Senate race.
Hogan, the former Maryland governor, told a room full of supporters at the Graduate Hotel here that while he was disappointed in the outcome of the election, which saw him lose 52.1%-45.2%, he understood its significance.
“In our nation’s history only three African American women have ever served as the United States Senate,” said Hogan, a Republican. “Regardless who voted for we could all take pride on the first Black woman senator of the state of Maryland.”
Hogan actually won 18 of 24 Maryland jurisdictions, but was swamped by large voter turnouts in Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, where Alsobrooks is in her second term as county executive.
Still, the two-term former governor’s candidacy was attractive to a wide range of voters.
The Hogan campaign made particular appeals to Black voters, an idea that didn’t surprise Elizabeth Etucay, a data analyst.
“The misconception I see is that, people believe that Republicans are racist,” said Etucay. “Because of that we as Black people should stay far away from them, but I don’t believe that is true.”
Jacob Taylor, a student at St. Mary’s College, said he and other Generation Z voters had confidence in Hogan.
“Don’t be so sad, have trust in our institutions, that will carry us through the day,” said Taylor. “America is a great country and if we stay together it will continue to be so.”
In the end, however, Hogan was unable to pull together enough votes to overcome Alsobrooks, a Democrat, who will succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in January.
“It is what it is, he (Hogan) fought a good fight, and I don’t regret a minute helping him,” said Jan Hegan, a realtor.
