THE STAR: Friday evening, three candidates vying for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat stepped behind the podium at the Elks Club in Cambridge to answer questions from local democrats during the Eastern Shore Democratic Summit.
The candidates, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Telecom Executive Juan Dominguez and U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md., 6th) are all running in the 2024 election to replace U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who will not seek reelection.
On the first day of the Democratic Summit, the candidates discussed critical issues affecting the Eastern Shore, and Maryland overall, and answered questions from those in attendance. Sam Shoge, partner of Rivers & Roads Consulting, moderated the forum.
Before taking questions, Alsobrooks talked about the importance of investing in people. She said that, as a county executive for Prince George’s County, she brought more than $1.5 billion “to invest in areas that have been left behind.”
“And so I would work as a U.S. senator to make sure we are continuing to bring back important resources to the State of Maryland,” she said. “Making sure that we’re bringing back dollars to grow jobs and to give opportunities throughout the state including here for our fishermen, for our farmers, and for others who are looking for a way to continue to provide for their families.”
West Point graduate and combat veteran Dominguez said his three priorities are fair and living wages, health care for all and debt-free college and pre-K for all Marylanders and Americans.
He said that while he might not be the most recognizable name on the ballot, he encourages voters to compare his resume and character to that of the other candidates.
“You’ll firmly agree that my military training, public service and business leadership accomplishments make me the most qualified candidate to be your next United States senator,” he said.
Trone said the system is rigged with political action committees and lobbyists “running this country.” He said that if he wins, he would be the only politician in the Senate not taking money from PACs and lobbyists.
“We need to change things as they are,” he said. “I’m a change agent. That’s what I’ve always done.”
Candidates were asked different questions on related topics, which were written by people in the audience.
When it came to questions about the Eastern Shore, Alsobrooks was asked how she plans to represent the area.
She said she will work to increase health care access on the Eastern Shore by decreasing ambulance wait times and creating incentives to attract more specialists and primary care physicians. Alsobrooks also talked about protecting the Chesapeake Bay, which is an important part of the Eastern Shore’s economy.
“Making sure that we’re bringing back resources to protect the important waterways,” she said. “And that we’re also fighting to make the Chesapeake Bay one of our national recreation areas as a part of the National Park system.”
Dominguez was asked to name three issues especially pertinent to Eastern Shore residents. He said his three priorities of a fair and living wage, health care for all and debt-free college and pre-K for all are relevant to the Eastern Shore, as well as the state and the country.
“If I’m not mistaken, we’re living in one of the highest crime areas here in Cambridge,” he said. “One of the fundamental reasons for crime is income inequality. We must focus on those three things that we talked about.”
Trone was asked to share his thoughts on what may happen in congress with the farm bill, which is a concern to many Eastern Shore voters. Trone said the bill is stuck because republicans have stopped it.
“Right now, the Republican Party is being driven by the tyranny of 20,” he said, “the tyranny of 20 who have thrown the party into Trump world. Trump world — that’s a hateful world to be in. We cannot ever go back to that world.”
Following the candidate forum, attendees participated in a straw poll. Alsobrooks won with 125 votes, Trone came in second with 98 votes and Dominguez came in third with 15 votes.
In an interview on Thursday, Maryland Democratic Party Second Vice Chair Judy Wixted said the summit, which was run by a committee of 10 volunteers, is a way to get people from across the Eastern Shore together, as well as to engage people that might be interested in running for local elections.
“Our focus — even though I know this has become about the senate forum in many ways — our focus is local,” Wixted said.
On Saturday, the second day of the summit, attendees participated in workshop sessions focused on “the science behind political campaigns,” including voter engagement, community organizing, civic education and election integrity.
Wixted said Friday’s candidate forum was a way to facilitate civic engagement and help Eastern Shore voters make an informed decision.
“If we can get enough people in a room and we can get the senate candidates here, we’ve done our duty as a committee and as people who live and breath democracy to put primary candidates in front of as many voters as we can to answer their questions,” she said.
At the beginning of the night, Kathryn Cain said she hadn’t yet made a decision on which candidate she will vote for and was looking forward to the opportunity to compare the three candidates. A resident of Dorchester County, Cain said politicians don’t come to the Eastern Shore all that often.
“We’ve only been here like three years, but we understand that the Shore does not get the actual contact that it needs,” she said. “Even though Annapolis is only an hour from our home, it’s on that other side of the bridge and it’s just a different world.”
After hearing from the candidates, Cain said they all had their hearts in the right place.
Patty Lockett, who is a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Worcester County, said she was impressed with all three candidates. While she didn’t share who she voted for in the straw poll, she said Dominguez has potential as a candidate.
”The only thing I have concern (about) is (Dominguez) coming into the race late,” Lockett said. “You know, that kind of hurts.”
The summit brought in voters from all over Maryland Friday night. Former State Senator Gloria Lawlah said she is working on Alsobrooks’ campaign. Lawlah said Maryland has 10 men working on Capital Hill.
”We’re going to send a woman back to the Hill,” she said.
Lawlah said that Dominguez and Trone are also good candidates.
”We are blessed to have all three candidates,” she said.
Shirley Adams, who lives in Charles County, said she came to listen to the candidates speak and tell voters why they’re running for office. Adams said she has read about Trone and likes that he’s supported retirement benefits, social security and healthcare.
Yvette Lewis, former Maryland Democratic Party Chair, said that having candidates speak on the Eastern Shore was exciting. She said the last time there was an Eastern Shore Democratic Summit was around 10 years ago.
“I thought that it was so good for the people to see the candidates,” Lewis said. “I think it will be easy for people to see who they want to vote for, just based on what they saw tonight.”
Lewis spoke about the importance of this having this opportunity for Eastern Shore voters.
“This kind of validation just makes them want to do more,” she said. “And that’s the whole point.”
