In the sole head-to-head televised debate of the Maryland Senate race, Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks, a Prince George’s County executive and Maryland’s former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan sought to define themselves as moderate, across-the-aisle team players, but got testy on partisanship, abortion and gun violence.
The debate was hosted by Maryland Public Television, moderated by Chuck Todd of NBC News, and was pre-taped Thursday afternoon.
While Maryland is a deep blue state, Alsobrooks faces a serious challenge from Hogan, who was considered a popular centrist Republican during his tenure. Yet, in the past several weeks her lead has widened — a late September Washington Post poll showing Alsobrooks 11 points ahead. And FiveThirtyEight’s polling average currently shows Alsobrooks leading Hogan by nearly nine points, 48.9%-40.3%.
Throughout the hour debate, Hogan strived to paint himself as a “maverick”-type Independent, un-beholden to the Republican party machine.
“I was governor through three presidents, worked with President Obama and Trump and Biden…when I disagreed, I strongly stood up and said I disagreed, and I’ve stood up to my party. I’ll stand up to either party,” said Hogan.