This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at .聽Sign up for today.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) stepped into the U.S. Senate race Monday to endorse Prince George鈥檚 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Moore returned the favor after for governor when he opened a field office in Prince George鈥檚, the majority Black jurisdiction with the largest number of registered Democrats in the state.
鈥淭he world needs America鈥檚 leadership now more than ever, and the country needs Maryland鈥檚 leadership now more than ever. Angela鈥檚 a leader. She is a public servant in every beautiful definition of the word,鈥 Moore said at a rally at Monument City Brewing Company in Baltimore. 鈥淚鈥檓 supporting Angela because of what she means to our state鈥檚 future.鈥
Dozens of people sported 鈥淎lsobrooks for Senate鈥 pins and wore lime-green T-shirts with her name in Black letters.
One person didn鈥檛 wear a T-shirt, but still came to support Alsobrooks on Monday: Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D), he would no longer compete in next May’s Democratic primary for the open Senate seat.
鈥淚 made the decision that this was not the right time and the right race for me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n my heart, it was an easier decision to make because I knew there remained a stellar candidate in the race who would represent our state with grace, with dignity and with honor. It’s time now for Democrats to coalesce. I believe that candidate is Angela Alsobrooks.鈥
Other Democrats who lined up to endorse Alsobrooks on Monday included Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Baltimore County Council Chair Julian Jones Jr.
Alsobrooks has already garnered support from half of the state鈥檚 federal delegation, top state leaders and county and municipal officials in the Democratic primary to succeed longtime Sen. Ben Cardin (D), who announced in the spring that he in 2024.
鈥淚 know that this endorsement is one that [the governor] thought about. I know that it鈥檚 one he didn鈥檛 [take] lightly and he鈥檚 been the greatest partner,鈥 Alsobrooks said to reporters. 鈥淐ombined with the other leaders who have come here today, what we recognize is that we really are stronger together. This is Team Maryland and to have the head of Team Maryland come out is a big deal and really an honor.鈥
The county executive faces a challenge from Rep. David Trone (D-6th), who鈥檚 mostly self-funding his campaign and has already spent more than $10 million since he announced his candidacy in May.
The congressman from Montgomery County has aired seven campaign ads.
鈥淥ur campaign is honored to have the endorsements of 111 elected officials from across Maryland and the country who have seen David Trone鈥檚 ability to get things done for Maryland families first hand,鈥 according to a statement from the Trone campaign. 鈥淎s we鈥檝e traveled throughout Maryland, voters have told us clearly that they want candidates who are willing to work to earn their vote and that they are most interested in where candidates stand on issues facing our communities.鈥
Other Democrats have sought to run in the Senate race including Anne Arundel County businessman Juan Dominguez.
to run in the May 14 primary: retired brigadier general John Teicher, perennial candidate Robin Ficker and Lorie Friend, a Garrett County nurse.