Supporters of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary are wondering when Gov. Wes Moore (D) will return to campaigning with her after an early and high-profile endorsement. I’m thinking. Supporters of Rep. David Trone (D-6th), Mr. Alsobrooks’ chief rival in the Democratic primary, as well as neutral observers, have questioned the governor’s participation in the campaign. It is no exaggeration to say that there are.
After all, some believe that Allbrooks supported Moore at the perfect time in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary, propelling him to the top. So it seemed natural that Moore would be a big part of the campaign after he endorsed her last October.
Whatever the reason, that hasn’t happened so far. But that’s about to change.
Notably, at the time Moore endorsed Allsbrooks, she was considered a front-runner in the Senate primary, and several prominent elected officials quickly moved to support her. Thing. Recent opinion polls show Tron in the lead. This advantage comes from the more than $41 million she spent on her campaign.
Although Tron has narrowed the gap slightly in terms of support from Maryland senators, Allbrooks still has a significant lead in this regard.
Moore will headline a star-studded fundraiser at Oldsbrooks in Baltimore on the evening of April 30, according to an invitation obtained by Maryland Matters.
Other scheduled speakers include U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-7th), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3rd), and State Auditor General Brooke Lierman (Democratic Party) is a government official. The fundraiser also includes a long list of organizers, including business executives, political leaders, lawyers, medical professionals and philanthropists in the Baltimore area. Craig Thompson, Moore’s campaign chairman and current chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, is also one of the organizers.
Mr. Allbrooks’ campaign strategists and allies have hinted at further joint appearances before the May 14 primary, and Mr. Moore is also likely to appear in campaign ads.
“The governor will absolutely support Angela, as he has always done,” said Connor Lounsbury, a spokesman for Moore’s political campaign and an adviser to the Alsobrooks campaign.
Disclosure: The David and June Tron Family Foundation financially supported Maryland Matters in 2017 and 2018.
The Establishment Coming Out for Delaney
In the view of many political experts, former Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner (D) could have easily won the 6th District Council seat this year if she had run. Instead, she chose to remain on her sidelines.
Gardner announced last month his intention to replace U.S. Rep. David Trone, the No. 6 Democrat running for Senate this year, in a crowded and increasingly contentious Democratic primary. On Monday, she spoke in Gaithersburg with former House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th) and Rep. Lily Chee (D-5th), who was also considering a run in the 6th District. Montgomery) ran again for election. sheet.
All three are supporting April McClain Delaney, a lawyer and former Commerce Department official who is the wife of former Congressman John Delaney, who represents the district.
“I know April Delaney to be a principled, common-sense leader who will faithfully serve the residents of Maryland’s 6th Congressional District,” Hoyer said at the historic park rally. . “April’s experience working with President Biden to promote equity and strengthen America’s digital communications will be an asset to the federal delegation.”
Consolidating Mr. Delaney’s status as a leading candidate, U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-No. 2) announced his support later in the day.
“April McClain Delaney embodies the qualities needed in a leader: dedication, compassion, and a tireless commitment to the well-being of the community,” Ruppersberger said in a statement.
Rep. Joe Vogel (D-Montgomery), who has emerged as Mr. Delaney’s most likely opponent in the Democratic primary, received support Monday from five out-of-state lawmakers, one veteran and four newcomers. Topping the list are 15-term Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), as well as Representatives Chris Pappas (DN.H.) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (DN.M.). ), and Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.). ) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.).
Union members said Mr. Vogel was notable for his status as a newcomer, Latino immigrant and openly gay candidate, and said he had strong union support. .
“All of these legislators know what it means to provide for working families.” Vogel said in a statement:. “They are trusted leaders in their communities and in Washington.”
The dueling endorsements come amid signs that the race between Mr. Delaney and Mr. Vogel is deteriorating, with emails from the candidates and their supporters attacking each other and harsh rhetoric from both sides. And as first reported by the Montgomery Perspective blog on Monday, the Vogel campaign launched a website directly attacking Delaney, highlighting her relationships with prominent conservatives.
“Joe Vogel is advocating negative campaigning,” a spokesperson for Delaney told Montgomery Perspective. “We will continue to fight MAGA Republicans and protect choice.”
Think about who’s coming to dinner
The Maryland Republican Party announced Sunday that Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will headline the Republican Party’s annual “Red, White, and Blue” dinner on June 19 in Annapolis. She is the fourth-ranking member of the Senate Republican leadership and one of the most influential Republican women on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). Photo by Senator Ernst from his X page, via Iowa Capital Dispatch.
But this won’t be the only dinner the state Republican Party will host over the next few weeks with influential Republican women. Also in Towson on May 6, Ellen Sauerbrei, the two-time Republican gubernatorial candidate and state House minority leader who in many ways created the militant Maryland Republican Party. A party is also planned to be held in honor of the event.
Mr. Sauerbrei, who also served in several foreign policy roles during the administration of former President George W. Bush, is 86 years old. Celebrating her will be former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) and his wife Kendell Ehrlich, Congressman Andy Harris (R-1) and his wife, and State Republican Party Chairwoman Nicole Buse Harris, R-Md. National committee member Nicole Ambrose and others. .
Candice Dodson Reed’s new gig
Candace Dodson Reed, Maryland’s experienced and well-known strategist and policy maven, has a new job. She will join her Baltimore-based Green & Healthy Homes Initiative as chief of staff and executive vice president, reporting to resident and CEO Ruth Ann Norton.
“we, candice She joins our GHHI team and brings her extensive knowledge and expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, government relations, and policy and system change to our work,” said Norton. “She brings unique cross-disciplinary skills across government, health, environmental justice, and equity to support the expansion of GHHI’s public and private sector efforts in Maryland and across the nation.”
The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative works to address the social determinants of health, opportunity, and racial equity by giving people access to healthy, safe, and climate-resilient homes.
Recently, Dodson–lead He previously served as vice president for government relations and community affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Prior to that position, she was UMBC’s chief of staff and executive director of the university’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, where she also served for two years.
She has also worked for the Greater Baltimore Commission and Howard County government, among others. And she’s involved with countless organizations and causes across the state.
“I’m excited to join the GHHI team. This opportunity allows me to combine my professional experience with the work I care about.” dodson–Reid said. “I am excited to work with such a dedicated team to improve unjust policies for children, seniors, and families and ensure good health, economic, and social outcomes for communities that have historically been disinvested. I’m eager to improve.”
