Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) on Monday endorsed Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks over fellow Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) in the closely watched Democratic Senate primary in Maryland.
Frost adds to the growing divide among House Democrats, who are split in their support for Alsobrooks and for Trone ahead of the May primary.
The Democratic nominee will face a tough general election fight against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), the popular moderate whose late entry into the race has presented a curveball for Democrats.
“I’m supporting Angela for U.S. Senate because she’s spent her career truly listening to people and coming up with innovative solutions to benefit the community. The people closest to the problem are often closest to the solution,” Frost said in the endorsement announcement on Monday.
“Angela and I share a similar passion for people and for a society that’s safe and equal for all of us,” Frost continued. “When she gets to the Senate, she will join me in the fight to end gun violence, she will work to expand healthcare access so that those who are sick can get well without going broke, she will fight the climate crisis by working for a Green New Deal and she will fight for reproductive Justice. I’m all in with Angela because she’ll be all in for us.”
Frost’s endorsement comes days after Alsobrooks secured a high-profile endorsement from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Alsobrooks has also secured endorsements from former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) along with the rest of the House Maryland Democratic delegation except for Trone, himself, and Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.
Alsobrooks also has the support of Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D).
Trone, on the other hand, has garnered support from a number of high-profile Democrats nationally. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) have endorsed Trone, as have Reps. Adam Schff (D-Calif.) and Colin Allred (D-Texas), the leading Democratic candidates for Senate in their respective states.
“I am honored to have Congressman Frost’s endorsement in this race because he represents the very best of our emerging national leaders, and he’s passionate about ensuring this nation is looking out for all of us, not just those with means,” Alsobrooks said in the announcement.
“In the U.S. Senate, I will continue advocating for the voiceless,” she continued. “I will advocate for gun control so that all communities are safe regardless of neighborhood, that our schools are excellent regardless of zip code, and so our children and our families have access to clean air and drinking water regardless of their income.”
