Primary Election Wrap-up 2024

Peter Heck • May 28, 2024


The polls have closed in the 2024 Maryland primary election, held on Tuesday, May 14.

 

To nobody’s surprise, President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are the voters’ choices to face off in this year’s general election in November. In the race for the state’s open Senate seat, Republican Larry Hogan, the former governor, will face off against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s county executive. And in the District 1 Congressional primary, incumbent Andy Harris easily won the voters’ approval for the Republican ballot slot, while newcomer Blaine H. Miller III won the Democratic voters’ nod.

 

U.S. Senate

The most closely watched race was the U.S. Senate primary, where the winner will replace long-time Democratic Senator Ben Cardin. With the Democrats holding a slim one-seat margin in the current Senate, the Maryland result in November could well determine which party holds the majority in the Senate for the next two years, if not longer.

 

Hogan is the rare Republican who seems to appeal across party lines in solidly Democratic Maryland. In the Republican primary, Hogan took 60% of the votes in a seven-candidate field, his closest rival being perennial candidate Robin Ficker, who — in contrast to Hogan — aligned himself with Trump. Hogan has been trying to position himself as a moderate, saying only recently, for example, that he would work to restore Roe v. Wade if elected to the Senate — although, as governor, he vetoed several measures that would have ensured access to abortion in Maryland. His record is essentially that of a traditional business-oriented conservative Republican. It seems a good bet that most Republicans, including the Ficker voters, will stick with the party line and vote for Hogan come November.

 

Alsobrooks parlayed strong support from Gov. Wes Moore and the state’s Democratic party establishment to defeat Rep. David Trone (MD-6) and eight other candidates. She soundly defeated Trone, 54% to 43%. None of the other candidates received more than 1% of the votes. If elected in November, she would be the second woman and the first African American to represent Maryland in the Senate. Once in office, she has pledged to co-sponsor the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would establish legal protection on the federal level for abortion rights.

 

Given Hogan’s previous popularity state-wide, Alsobrooks will have her work cut out for her. Support from the national Democratic party would be a significant asset for her campaign, as would a strong get-out-the-vote effort. While the state is reliably Democratic, in what promises to be a close race, independent voters will be unusually important.

 

Trone, a successful businessman and the current 6th District congressman, spent more than $60 million of his own money on his campaign, with numerous ads in TV, newspapers, and social media. His ads presented him as a champion of working people and retirees, and as the candidate best positioned to defeat Hogan in November. In contrast, Alsobrooks began her media campaign much later, and spent roughly one-tenth as much as Trone, showing that money doesn’t always decide the outcome.

 

Trone won all the Eastern Shore counties. Trone and Alsobrooks were tied in Kent County with 722 votes apiece before absentee ballots gave him the lead, by a final margin of 24 votes. How many of those Trone voters will remain faithful to the Democratic candidate and how many will switch their votes to Hogan is unknown.

 

President

Both Biden and Trump won their races easily. That’s no surprise, since both are at this point their party’s presumed candidates in the November election. However, both the Democratic and Republican primaries saw a fair number of voters opting for someone other than the probable nominee. In the Democratic primary, Biden took 87% of the vote. Most of the rest of the total went to “uncommitted,” with two relative unknowns receiving just over 1% each. In the Republican primary, Trump won just over 78%, with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley — who withdrew from the race several weeks ago — taking the rest.

 

It’s not clear how to interpret these results, other than the obvious fact that a number of voters aren’t happy with their party’s choices for November. Conceivably, some proportion of these voters — especially those who went for Haley — simply haven’t been paying attention to the news. But other voters object to their party’s probable nominee for any of several reasons. Some see both candidates as too old. Many Democrats are unhappy with the Biden administration’s reactions to the Israel-Gaza war. And many Republicans have soured on Trump in response to the criminal charges he faces, or because of his record while in office.

 

The interesting question is what these dissatisfied voters are likely to do in November. Will they sit out the election? Will they “come home” to their party’s nominee? Will they cast a protest vote for some third-party candidate? Or will they cross party lines and vote for the other major-party candidate? The answer varies from voter to voter, of course, and many of them probably won’t decide what they’re doing until November. In a reliably Blue state like Maryland, it won’t affect the ultimate result in the presidential race. But in swing states, which are crucial to the nationwide outcome, it could make all the difference.

 

1st District U.S. Congress

Finally, it looks as if Republican incumbent Andy Harris is set to coast to another term in Congress. He received nearly 78% of primary votes, with Chris Bruneau Sr. taking 16% and Michael Scott Lemon 6%. In the Democratic primary, Blaine Miller won with 61% over Blessing T. Oluwadare with 39%.

 

The figure that may be most telling is that 36,122 Democrats voted in the congressional primary compared to 41,681 in the presidential race. To put it bluntly, more than 5,000 Democrats weren’t inspired to vote for either of the two District 1 congressional contenders. That doesn’t say much for Miller’s chances to eject Harris from Congress.

 

It’s a good long stretch from now to the general election, and there are bound to be a few surprises along the way. But for Marylanders, it looks as if the senatorial contest will be the hardest fought, with Hogan hoping his appeal to voters of the opposite party remains strong and Alsobrooks highlighting her administrative experience and proven support of reproductive rights, jobs, education, and access to healthcare.

 

The primary is now over, with a Democratic slate of Biden for President, Alsobrooks for Senate, and Miller for 1st District in Congress taking on the Republican ticket of Trump, Hogan, and Harris. Keep reading Common Sense for regular updates on all the issues and candidates.

 

 

Peter Heck is a Chestertown-based writer and editor, who spent 10 years at the Kent County News and three more with the Chestertown Spy. He is the author of 10 novels and co-author of four plays, a book reviewer for Asimov’s and Kirkus Reviews, and an incorrigible guitarist.

 

Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

Health of His Constituents is Apparently Not a Priority for Rep. Dr. Andy Harris

By Jan Plotczyk • October 8, 2025
The Republican Congress and President Trump are causing a health care crisis and Democrats are trying to fix it. Passed in July, the GOP budget reconciliation bill is drastically cutting health insurance programs to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD01) voted for the budget reconciliation bill. He voted, knowing that his vote would mean that health care costs would rise for 25,000 of his constituents in Maryland’s First Congressional District:

Judge Denies Trump Administration’s Attempt to Stall Maryland Offshore Wind Case Amid Federal Shutdown

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
 Efforts by the Trump administration to delay a critical court case over Maryland’s offshore wind project have failed, marking another setback in the president’s campaign to block renewable energy development along the East Coast. On Oct. 2, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher denied a motion filed by the Department of Justice to pause an ongoing lawsuit involving US Wind’s proposed 114-turbine wind farm off Ocean City. The administration had argued that the federal government’s shutdown prevents its attorneys from continuing the case. The judge’s swift rejection ensures that the litigation and progress on one of Maryland’s most significant clean energy projects will continue. Initially filed by Ocean City officials and a small group of residents nearly a year ago, the suit challenges the federal approval of US Wind’s project, which would deliver enough clean electricity to power more than 700,000 homes. Under the Biden administration, the federal government had defended the project in partnership with US Wind. That stance was reversed after Trump took office earlier this year and installed officials hostile to offshore wind. In September, the Trump administration filed a separate motion seeking to vacate federal approval for the Maryland project altogether, a move widely condemned by environmental advocates, labor groups, and business leaders who see offshore wind as a cornerstone of Maryland’s energy and economic future. US Wind responded forcefully to the shutdown motion, warning the court that the administration’s attempts to delay proceedings could allow it to undermine the project’s approval behind the scenes quietly. The company argued that halting the case would create “existential risks” for the future of Maryland’s offshore wind industry. Judge Gallagher agreed that the case should move forward, setting the next status hearing for Oct. 7. The Trump administration’s repeated efforts to obstruct offshore wind development come as Maryland and other states have invested heavily in building the infrastructure, workforce, and port facilities needed to anchor the growing clean energy industry. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has championed the sector as a key driver for well-paying jobs and long-term economic resilience for the Eastern Shore. Supporters of US Wind point out that the project will bring over $1 billion in investment to Maryland, generate thousands of construction and maintenance jobs, and help deliver cleaner, more affordable energy to homes and businesses across the region. “Offshore wind isn’t just about turbines, it’s about jobs, innovation, and independence,” one clean energy advocate said after the ruling. “Every delay costs working Marylanders opportunity, and this decision ensures progress continues.” While the broader lawsuit over the project’s approval is ongoing, the latest ruling represents a clear win for those fighting to keep Maryland’s offshore wind future on track — and a blow to Trump’s attempt to turn back the clock on clean energy.

Should We Pin Our Hopes on Mid-Cycle Redistricting in MD-01?

By Jan Plotczyk • October 8, 2025
Maryland has eight congressional districts, and the seats for all but District 01 are filled by Democrats. As we well know, the First District representative is a Republican — Andrew P. Harris. Here’s what Maryland’s congressional district map is now.

Megan Outten Kicks Off Wicomico County Council District 7 Campaign with Packed Crowd and Strong Early Momentum

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
With standing room only at Salisbury’s Historic Poplar Hill Mansion, and blending policy, community service, and grassroots energy, Megan Outten launched her campaign for Wicomico County Council District 7 before almost 100 supporters on Oct. 4. The event drew community residents, labor leaders, and local officials, many of whom also helped to pack nearly 300 care kits for Wicomico residents in need. The community service effort doubled as a campaign statement about what Outten calls “choosing connection over convenience.” District 7 is one of Wicomico’s newly drawn single-member districts, with a Democratic advantage of 7.7%. Outten recalled her family’s history of service in Fruitland and Salisbury. “Service isn’t just politics in my family,” she said. “It’s how you belong to a place. It’s how you prove you care.” She pointed to the county’s landfill crisis, water and septic system failures, and school underfunding as examples of leadership that reacts rather than plans. “This is what happens when leaders only react after things break,” she said. “It costs us more. It hurts families. It robs our kids of the future they deserve.” Outten was joined by several local leaders who offered strong endorsements and reflections on her record. AFSCME Local 3 Eastern Shore representative Jack Hughes praised her leadership on the Salisbury City Council, crediting her with helping pass the Eastern Shore’s first municipal labor code, a significant win for city workers and first responders. Councilman Josh Hastings, who represents the district and is running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B, said Outten would be “crucial in carrying forward the progress we’ve made” on clean water, schools, and infrastructure planning. Whitney Snowden-Olanrewaju from Blending Cultures, a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and equality, spoke about Outten’s record of community inclusion and bridge-building across diverse groups. Outten’s campaign is expected to roll out additional endorsements in the coming weeks. In her speech, she outlined a platform focused on fully funding schools, investing in infrastructure before it fails, and ensuring that county government works for everyone. “This campaign is not mine,” she told the crowd. “It’s ours. I am not standing above you. I am standing with you. And together, we will put Wicomico families first.” With enthusiasm, endorsements, and her message that’s focused on service and accountability, Outten’s kickoff reinforced that District 7 is already shaping up to have a strong favorite in 2026.

Community Rallies After Theft of Car Containing Hundreds of Care Kits for Wicomico Residents in Need

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
An act of inhumanity in Salisbury has sparked an outpouring of compassion. Early on Oct. 5, community organizer Jared Schablein’s car was stolen from his backyard. Inside the vehicle were hundreds of care kits assembled just days earlier during Megan Outten’s Wicomico County Council District 7 campaign kickoff event. Packed by volunteers at Salisbury’s Poplar Hill Mansion, the kits contained feminine hygiene products, socks, and toiletries meant for Wicomico County residents facing housing insecurity. “Those kits were meant for neighbors in need,” said Schablein. “If nothing else, I hope whoever took them returns them. Getting those care kits to the folks who need them matters more to me than anything else.” Schablein and Outten have turned the theft into action, launching a new effort called the “Care Kits Comeback Drive.” The event, scheduled for Oct. 12 at 2pm at Poplar Hill Mansion, aims to replace every lost kit, and more. Volunteers are asked to bring or donate items such as sanitary wipes, socks, toothpaste, period products, and underwear. Donations will support the Wicomico County Library, Help and Outreach Point of Entry, and other local service organizations. In announcing the new drive, Schablein emphasized the deeper meaning behind the effort: “When acts of inhumanity happen, the best response is acts of humanity. We’re showing that Salisbury’s compassion can’t be stolen.” Despite the setback, organizers say community support has been overwhelming. Donations began arriving within hours of the announcement, and several local groups have offered to distribute supplies once the new kits are complete. The theft is still under investigation by the Salisbury Police Department. As one volunteer put it at the last event, “Community isn’t guaranteed, it’s built.” This Sunday, Salisbury will build it again.

Momentum Builds to Save Connelly Mill Park: Community Leaders and State Officials Unite Around Vision for Wicomico’s “Central Park”

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
What began as a grassroots campaign to preserve a parcel of local land has become one of the most inspiring community movements on the Eastern Shore. Led by residents James and Mikele Dahlen and Holly Campbell, alongside dozens of volunteers, the Save Connelly Mill Park effort reached a significant milestone last week as Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz toured the site with local and state officials to explore opportunities for partnership and permanent protection. On Sept. 23, citizens gathered at Connelly Mill Park with a delegation of state and county leaders, including Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Del. Barry Beauchamp, County Council President John Cannon, Vice President Jeff Merritt, Councilman James Winn, and local municipal representatives from Delmar and Salisbury. The tour marked the strongest signal to date that the state may play an active role in turning the park’s long-promised vision into reality. Advocates for Save Connelly Mill Park presented Kurtz with a booklet outlining the site’s environmental, historical, and economic importance. The presentation highlighted Connelly Mill’s potential to become a keystone of Wicomico’s park system — protecting the Paleochannel aquifer, preserving wildlife habitats, and providing much-needed green space for recreation and community gathering. Located just five miles from Salisbury, the 234-acre property has rolling forest, wetlands, and unique topography that advocates say could one day make it the “Central Park of Wicomico County.” “The natural beauty of Connelly Mill spoke for itself,” said one organizer after the event. “What we have here is not just land, it’s a promise to future generations.” Adding to the momentum, the community’s advocacy materials were presented directly to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore the next day at the Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, where he was briefed on the citizens’ efforts and growing local support. The proposed park would provide walking trails, open space for families, and educational opportunities while safeguarding vital water resources and promoting mental, physical, and social well-being for county residents. For many, the movement to save Connelly Mill has come to represent more than just one park. It’s about accountability, long-term planning, and ensuring public commitments to community spaces are kept. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” the group shared in a recent update. “But the spotlight is on Connelly Mill, and the momentum is growing.” As the state evaluates whether to designate Connelly Mill as a Partnership Park, supporters say they will continue to meet with officials and rally community engagement to ensure this once-forgotten project finally fulfills its promise. If realized, Connelly Mill would not only protect vital natural resources — it would stand as testament to what determined citizens can build when they refuse to give up.
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