By Richard Elliott
(PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD – May 11, 2023) – Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) held a rally in New Carrollton on May 10 to officially announce her bid for U.S. Senate. With a crowd of around 150 supporters and the backdrop of newly-built housing and the gospel song “The Best Is Yet To Come” blaring, she was proud to have the opportunity to represent not just her County, but the entire State of Maryland in the U.S. Senate. The Senate seat will be vacant, as Senator Ben Cardin (D) is officially retiring at the end of his term.
Susie Turnbull, the 2018 Lieutenant Governor nominee, spoke on the mic as Alsobrooks arrived.
“I have a lot of former in my titles, but I have Angela in the future,” she said. “It’s time that we have a woman in the US Senate, and it’s more than time that this Black woman is in the Senate,” Turnbull said that particularly on issues of crime, reproductive rights, and economic development, Alsobrooks is ready to deal in Congress.
Gloria Lawlah, retired District 26 Senator and Chair of 1000 Maryland Women, apple next. “We are going to put a Maryland woman back on the Hill. Don’t forget Barbara back in 1986!”, she said. “We want a woman who is strong and will choose right over might. We want a woman that cares, that cares deeply about our families, and last but certainly not least, our seniors.” Lawlah, who also served as the Chair of the Department of Aging, believes that Alsobrooks will be a strong voice to protect Social Security. Former Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, the first African-American to serve in that role. “As a law professor from Howard Law, I would give her an A for her performance.”, said Leggett. “She knows what she’s doing and she’s coming from a community that has given her the skills to be a Senator. She’s destined for higher heights: let’s make it happen.”
The next speaker was Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, who also spoke at Governor Wes Moore’s (D) inauguration. “She is a fierce advocate for Prince George’s County people, and she tells it like it is. Always,” he said.
He is supporting her because of the care and compassion she has shown in her Executive tenure, and he pledges to do everything in his power to support her for Senate.
Just before the event began, Baltimore Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D) announced his endorsement and support for Alsobrooks on Twitter. Mfume previously ran for Senate in 2006 and narrowly lost to Cardin. He emphasized the rigors of the campaign from his personal experience and called on those present to put efforts in to ease those rigors. “Work, work, work, sleep, work, work. I’m not kidding. Maryland is the biggest small state. 23 counties, every nook, and cranny, it’s a lot of work. That’s why I explained that her supporters must be her eyes and ears for her,” said Congressman Mfume in a post-rally interview.
Alsobrooks took the stage from Mfume to great applause. “Maryland, are you in the house? I’m thanking God for his grace and the opportunity, my family: my daughter, my parents, my sister, and all of my friends,” she said. “I am standing before you to announce my candidacy for the Senate. I am running for the Senate because you know I’ll fight for you, but I think like you and look like you. I recognize I am on this stage and regard it as a great honor, and I’m proud to celebrate the women who made this possible.”
She touted the accomplishments of reducing crime as State’s Attorney, fighting the COVID pandemic, expanding homeownership and job opportunities, and building a new mental healthcare facility in the County. Her Senate pledges include protecting reproductive rights, voting rights, and reducing gun violence. District 23 Delegate Kym Taylor (D) wants to see Alsobrooks fully fund Medicaid to prepare our society for the growing population of seniors.
“The future vision of Maryland is bright, and it’s only getting brighter,” said Taylor.
To close, Alsobrooks thanked her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters along with the AKAs who attended.
State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), Senators Michael Jackson (D), Michael Augustine (D), Melody Griffith (D) and Arthur Ellis (D), County Councilmembers Jolene Ivey (D), Wanika Fisher (D), Calvin Hawkins (D) and Mel Franklin (D), Delegates Jazz Lewis (D), Julian Ivey (D), Nick Charles (D), Kym Taylor (D) and Adrian Boafo (D) all attended.
State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), Senators Michael Jackson (D- District 27), Michael Augustine (D- District 47), Melody Griffith (D- District 25), and Arthur Ellis (D- District 28), County Councilmembers Jolene Ivey (D- District 5), Wanika Fisher (D- District 2), Calvin Hawkins (D- At Large) and Mel Franklin (D- At Large), and Delegates Jazz Lewis (D- District 24), Julian Ivey (D- District 47) Kym Taylor (D-District 23) and Adrian Boafo (D- District 23). These attendees and numerous other Delegates, Senators, and state officials are on her endorsements list.
“Angela Alsobrooks is smart, experienced, dynamic, and the right person for the right time for our state,” said District 25 Senator Melody Griffith (D) in a post-rally interview.
“I would like to see that the people who’ve supported her until now have an opportunity to work with her campaign,” said ColorPro owner Glenn Morris. ColorPro is a Black-owned literature and sign shop in Upper Marlboro that partnered with the Moore campaign in 2022.
If Alsobrooks is elected to the U.S. Senate and resigns, the County Executive vacancy will be filled by a Council appointment if she resigns before December 6th, 2024, and a special election if she resigns on or after that date.
Just before the event, local progressive organizations including CASA and Our Revolution held a press conference nearby to ask for funds to be distributed for social programs including rental assistance and guaranteed basic income in the County. “Bernie Sanders is our benchmark of support for a Senator. Support those issues and we’ll get on board.”, said Suchitra Balachandran of Our Revolution Prince George’s regarding Alsobrooks candidacy.