MARYLAND MATTERS: A son of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos appears to be testing the waters for a potential U.S. Senate run.
Some Maryland residents over the weekend were invited to participate in a poll that floats John Angelos as a candidate in the Democratic primary race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D).
Attempts to reach Angelos directly and through an attorney were not immediately successful. Angelos has not filed for the seat, according to the Federal Elections Commission and the Maryland State Board of Elections. Currently, there are no candidates for the seat based in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
Submitted screenshot of a poll that asked some Democrats about John Angelos as a potential candidate for U.S Senate.
The poll, conducted by Dynata, asks Democrats about Angelos’ favorability after reciting a list of charitable works in Baltimore. The poll also puts him in a head-to-head match-up with declared Democratic candidates Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. David Trone (D-6th) and Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando.
The head-to-head matchup also includes Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-8th). Raskin has yet to decide on entering the race.
The poll also tested the potential for Angelos to run as an independent candidate.
It is not clear who commissioned or paid for the poll.
Angelos, a scion of a well-known and politically influential family, is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Baltimore Orioles. The team is currently in negotiations with the Maryland Stadium Authority over a new lease for Camden Yards. The current lease, extended in January, expires this year.
There has been speculation that John Angelos might attempt to move the team to Nashville. Court records list Angelos’ home in Baltimore. Angelos also owns a home in Tennessee where his wife owns an entertainment company.
Angelos was involved in an intrafamily squabble between himself, his brother Louis and their mother that landed in court that involved both the team and Peter Angelos’ law firm.
In that lawsuit, Louis Angelos alleged his brother would attempt to move the team to Tennessee, according to the Baltimore Sun. John Angelos has repeatedly vowed to keep the team in Baltimore.
The family opted to dismiss the lawsuit in February.
Raskin’s Senate decision expected by 4th of July
Meanwhile, Raskin said Sunday he plans to announce before July 4 whether he will run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2024. But he gave a few reasons on CNN’s “State of the Union” for why he’s “seriously considering it.”
“I love being in the people’s house, but as some of my House colleagues have pointed out, these Senate seats only open up every 25 or 30 years,” Raskin said. “A lot of people are encouraging me to check it out. Because there’s certain constitutional functions the Senate has that the House doesn’t have like advice and consent, Supreme Court nominations, judicial confirmations. A lot of things that I’m interested in.”
Lierman endorses Alsobrooks
Alsobrooks announced another endorsement of her campaign on Monday, this one from state Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D). Alsobrooks served on Lierman’s transition team before she officially took the helm as the state’s tax collector.
“Working with Angela has shown me that she is an effective and focused leader with the right priorities,” Lierman said in a statement. “I know that in the Senate she will work to support our kids, our teachers, our seniors, our communities and our small businesses, because she’s already doing that work. Leaders like Angela don’t come along very often, that’s why I’m proud to support Angela and I encourage Marylanders to join me.”
Alsobrooks’ campaign has announced more than three dozen endorsements from current and former elected officials, including Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th) last week.
Photo: John Angelos of the Baltimore Orioles smiles during a news conference in November 2018 in Baltimore. Getty Images photo by Rob Carr.
