Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan spar over abortion and party ties in Maryland Senate debate

In a debate between Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan for the Maryland Senate race, the two candidates clashed on the issue of abortion and which party would best represent the state. Hogan positioned himself as an anti-Trump Republican willing to prioritize country over party and support abortion rights. Alsobrooks, a staunch Democrat, argued that voting for Hogan would threaten abortion rights and support for Ukraine. The race is competitive, with Alsobrooks leading in polls. The candidates also discussed the Supreme Court, with Hogan criticizing attempts to pack the court and Alsobrooks supporting term limits or court expansion. The winner will replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin and serve alongside Sen. Chris Van Hollen on the Foreign Relations Committee. The candidates in this content discussed the importance of bringing hostages home, ensuring a cease-fire, and providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza. They emphasized the need for peace, security, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. They also agreed on supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, with Hogan expressing willingness to back Ukraine’s NATO membership bid while Alsobrooks suggested further exploration of the issue. Alsobrooks addressed the issue of mistakenly claiming tax breaks in Washington, attributing it to oversight and taking steps to rectify the situation. Hogan suggested that this issue should not be the basis for decision-making and emphasized the importance of allowing her to explain.