David Trone loses Democratic Senate nomination in Maryland to Angela Alsobrooks, backed by J Street
In a surprising turn of events, David Trone, the congressman and liquor store mogul known for his generous donations to pro-Israel causes, lost his bid for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maryland to Angela Alsobrooks, a popular municipal leader backed by the liberal Israel lobby, J Street.
The race was called for Alsobrooks on Tuesday evening, marking a significant upset in one of the costliest Senate primary races in US history. Trone, who spent at least $62 million of his own money on the campaign and did not accept money from political action committees, including those associated with AIPAC, ultimately fell short in his bid for the nomination.
Both Trone and Alsobrooks shared common ground on Israel, broadly supporting President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza. However, Alsobrooks has been more critical of the war effort, particularly opposing Israel’s entry into Rafah, a city on Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Alsobrooks will now face Larry Hogan, the former Republican governor of Maryland, in the general election. The race will determine the successor to retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democratic Jewish pro-Israel mainstay, and will have implications for Maryland’s stance on Israel-related issues.
In other primary races closely watched by the Jewish community, candidates favored by AIPAC-linked super PACs emerged victorious, highlighting the influence of pro-Israel donors in state politics. The results of these races signal a shift in the political landscape and set the stage for a contentious general election in Maryland.
Overall, the primary results in Maryland, West Virginia, and Nebraska reflect a broader trend of moderate Republicans prevailing over far-right candidates, with implications for the future of the GOP and its stance on Israel-related issues. The outcomes of these races will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming months and have a lasting impact on the state of Maryland and beyond.
