Hogan Popular In Senate Race, Abortion Hurts His Chances: Patch Survey

MARYLAND — Formal polls have former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) leading the race to be Maryland's next U.S. senator. That trend continued in Patch's informal reader survey on who should replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D).

Patch's respondents favored Hogan to win the general election against either of his likely Democratic opponents. Hogan is likely to face either U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD District 6) or Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) on Election Day.

Hogan carried 49.9 percent of the vote to Trone's 45.7 percent in a hypothetical match-up, according to Patch readers who completed the survey.

Hogan had 52.1 percent of the support against Alsobrooks' 40.1 percent.

Patch readers also favored Trone to defeat Alsobrooks in the primary. Our questionnaire showed Trone with 57.1 percent of the primary vote compared to Alsobrooks' 25.2 percent.

A total of 589 people (56.2 percent Democrat and 32.6 percent Republican) responded to our public survey.

This online questionnaire was an informal collection of opinions. The survey was open to all Maryland voters from March 22 through March 25. It was not a scientific survey and its results should not be viewed as such. We only used it to gauge general sentiment and collect quotes for our election coverage.

Hogan

Hogan's decision to run for Senate gives Republicans a prominent candidate and positions the GOP to run a competitive campaign in a state that hasn't had a Republican U.S. senator in 37 years.

During Hogan's tenure as governor, he was one of the rare Republicans willing to criticize former President and 2024 GOP nominee Donald Trump. In January, Hogan stepped down from the leadership of the third-party movement No Labels.

Respondents who favored Hogan pointed to his bipartisan popularity as governor and his conservative tax policy.

"Hogan has a proven track record as governor and has shown he can work with all parties to accomplish what is best for the citizens," Forest Hill Republican Ed Lyle said. "I find it remarkable that he was able to be as successful as he was politically as a Republican despite the Democrat led legislature."

Hogan opponents and undecided voters, however, worried about flipping a traditionally Democratic seat. They wonder if Hogan will vote with the Republicans on issues like abortion, which is heavily protected in deep-blue Maryland.

After announcing his Senate bid, Hogan said he would not vote for a national abortion ban, although he doesn't personally support abortions. He called the matter "settled law."

Linda Strumsky, an Ellicott City Democrat, is still undecided.

"My overall first pick is Larry Hogan," Strumsky said. "My hesitation comes from a fear of voting for one more Republican in Congress. Larry Hogan has a track record that he is for the people. I am just unsure of the pressures he would be under as a member of the Republican Party in the Senate."

Trone

Hyattsville Democrat James Cassedy prefers Trone over Alsobrooks but would vote for either over Hogan.

"Trone has experience in the U.S. House of Representatives, and his district is a fairly diverse community," Cassedy said. "I feel Alsobrooks has less experience on a national level, and I am unsure as to whether she has been a successful county executive."

Janet Brown, a Silver Spring Democrat, plans to vote for Alsobrooks because Trone used a racial slur last month during a hearing.

"I am quite concerned about Trone using a racially charged word in a recent interview with a Black woman," Brown said. "He said it just slipped out. He meant to use another word. I do not think he has genuine concerns about the treatment of Black people. I have suspected him to be a covert racist using Black persons to his advantage."

There are also mixed opinions on Trone self-financing his campaign with his personal money rather than campaign donations. Trone, the co-founder of the national liquor store chain Total Wine & More, is among the richest members of Congress.

"Trone is a liberal that is using his wealth to buy the Senate seat," said Bel Air Republican John Miller, who's voting for Hogan.

Others appreciate that Trone does not rely on donations from political action committees.

"Trone has a record of supporting workers. He does not take PAC money and supports term limits," said Edgewood Democrat Bill Kelly, who would vote for Trone over Hogan, but Hogan over Alsobrooks.

Alsobrooks

Democrat Michele Towle of Bowie will vote for Alsobrooks because she "has consistently listened and delivered to her constituents throughout her tenure as county executive."

"She has delivered improvements in education funding and the building of new schools to replace those that have become overcrowded and run down," Towle said. "Her approach to reducing crime and recidivism has been effective and has an element of returning those offenders who have served their time to productive citizenship."

Alsobrooks' limited experience concerns Columbia Democrat Sharonlee Vogel. Vogel plans to vote for Trone in the primary, but she is unsure how she'd vote if Alsobrooks faced Hogan in the general election.

"Trone has actual, real experience 'on the Hill,'" Vogel said."[Alsobrooks is] limited to a single county in Maryland."

Election Priorities

Archie Thompson, a Republican from Abingdon, summed up the GOP's concerns in this election.

"The border is number one for me," Thompson said. "It’s [an] invasion of our country and needs to be stopped. The economy is out of control. [They] need to stop outsourcing jobs and bring industries back to our country."

Democrat Debra MacDonald of Highland is concerned about civil rights, LGBTQ+ issues and gun control.

"The two most important issues for me in this election are environmental issues and abortion rights," MacDonald said.

Early voting runs from May 2 through May 9. The primary election is on May 14. The General Election is on Nov. 5. More information on voting locations, registration, mail-in ballots and dropbox ballots is posted here.

Related: Hogan Leading All Democrats In Maryland Senate Race: New Poll