Senate Race Updates: Alsobrooks Weighs In on Presidential Debate, Hogan Works to Counter Anti-Abortion Record
Maryland’s Senate race, a potential battle for the Senate’s tie-breaking vote, remains very close as Election Day (Nov. 5) approaches.
An Emerson College poll released on Sep. 17 showed Prince George’s County Executive Alsobrooks (D) with 49% support, former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) with 42% support, and 9% of voters remaining undecided. This represents both the largest vote share for Alsobrooks and her best margins against Hogan in any poll yet conducted during the general election.
Alsobrooks recently garnered an endorsement from the Elect Black Women PAC, and is beginning her Defend Our Majority tour this week in Howard County.
“What an honor it is, to join a group of such amazing women who have been endorsed by the Elect Black Women PAC,” said Alsobrooks. “We need to fight for our futures – that means fighting to protect our freedoms, like access to reproductive health care. And fighting for our children – so they can have a future not where they are living on the margins, but where they are living beyond their wildest dreams.”
Elect Black Women PAC Executive Director Ruby Powell-Dennis shared why the group contends Alsobrooks is the best candidate for the Maryland Senate seat.
“[Alsobrooks] has a track record of public service, delivering for Marylanders, keeping her communities safe, being accessible and caring, and the type of leadership we should be showing the world,” said Powell-Dennis. “At a time when there is immense division and backlash against exceptional Black women in government, we could not be more grateful that Angela decided to answer the call to serve in this elevated capacity.”
Hogan was endorsed by Senator Joe Manchin (I- WV) this week and released two cable and digital ads, including one with his daughters touting his record on abortion access and equal pay for women.
Hogan has cast himself as an independent-minded voice who will be a pro-choice Senator, but his past veto and funding records have been called into question countless times.
“Larry Hogan’s choice to veto legislation to expand abortion access and withhold the funds is a prime example of how Republicans think it’s ok to get in between a woman and her health care provider. What’s worse is he thinks he knows better than the countless medical professionals who all supported that legislation,” said Del. Nicole Williams (D- District 22), before showing her support for Alsobrooks.
“We know firsthand about Larry Hogan’s record on reproductive freedoms because we’re the women who fought back when he vetoed legislation to expand access to abortion. We must protect our Democratic majority by sending Angela Alsobrooks to the Senate. We know Angela will fight for a future where women’s freedoms are protected. This is why I am voting for Angela Alsobrooks in November.”
TEDCO Awarded $10 Million to Provide Legal, Financial Services for Maryland’s Small Businesses
On Sept. 9, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) was awarded $10 million to support small business growth through the State Small Business Credit Initative’s Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP). Through this award, Maryland will establish the Business Resource Information, Development, and Guidance Ecosystem (BRIDGE) program to provide tailored legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to help small businesses build capacity and apply for loans or investments.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to expanding access to capital for communities across the country and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in thriving sectors of our economy,” said Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo. “With this federal funding, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation will be able to provide critical services to small businesses in the region to help them succeed.”
Maryland applied for the SBOP award in close coordination with Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and the award will be used to fund technical assistance throughout the region.
The BRIDGE Program is designed to support both Main Street small businesses that provide crucial goods and services and also high-growth, innovation-focused companies, offering programming to meet a range of business types and needs.
TEDCO will partner with the University of Maryland for development and execution of the BRIDGE program. Maryland has also obtained a commitment of nearly $2.2 million in matching funds from TEDCO and the University of Maryland to support and leverage the SBOP award.
Maryland Democratic leaders, including Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Steny Hoyer applauded the announcement of the award and thanked Adeyemo for his commitment to the state and the nation, particularly after the deputy secretary’s recent announcement about the state’s entrance into the IRS Direct File program.
“Everytime I’m with the deputy secretary, we are making great announcements to benefit the people of this state and country. I’m honored to have the best delegation in the country, and I’m grateful to have my colleagues as partners in this work,” said Moore. “Before I ran for governor, I ran a small business. My response when people told me it was hard to become a successful entrepreneur in Maryland, I told them I knew some of those hurdles myself. What if we made legal and financial assistance more accessible to small businesses? This is to create a pathway to work, wages, and wealth: exactly what I promised in my campaign.”
Hoyer cited record small business growth spurred by the Biden-Harris administration, including nearly 400,000 new small business applications in Maryland alone. Van Hollen particularly thanked Adeyemo for his work to assist Maryland entrepreneurs.
Moore emphasized that this investment will benefit the state’s economic growth, especially women and minority business owners, and will have significant long-term benefits.
“This is yet another step in the growth of our state, moving us forward,” he said. “Turning an idea into a job-creator takes time, money, and support. By working together across
the state and federal levels, we are helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access all three. Maryland is grateful for the strong leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, as we continue moving in partnership to make our state more competitive and leave no one behind.