Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan faced off in a debate Thursday night ahead of the Maryland Senate race.
In a particularly notable response, Alsobrooks joined some of the more progressive members of the Democratic Party in telling the host that he supported packing the Supreme Court.
“I support either increasing the number of judges or increasing term limits,” she said.
'Lack of Funds': Secret Service Underfunds, Whistleblower Reveals Delayed Payments, Senator Reveals
Mr. Albrooks and Mr. Hogan debated Thursday ahead of the Maryland Senate race. (Reuters)
Hogan scoffed at this in his response, accusing both parties of “trying to change the rules to fill the courts.”
“What I did was find the most qualified judge, regardless of political party,” he said.
Hogan, echoing the tone of outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (Idaho, Va.), said, “If I can't find one person who can vote across the board for either a Democratic judge or a Republican judge, I'm not going to vote for that.” I have no intention of doing so,” he added. Please support them. ”
Manchin developed a reputation for opposing his party during his time as a Democrat.
For Wisconsin Democrats, victory in battleground state in 2024 will take years
Former Maryland Governor and U.S. Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan speaks to members of the media at the AstraZeneca facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Monday, August 26, 2024. (Graham Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Democrats are favored to win Maryland's Senate seat, but given Hogan's popularity in the state and distance from Republican leadership, the margin appears too close for comfort.
Alzalbrooks also supported abolishing the legislative filibuster to achieve Democratic priorities such as mandatory abortion access and relaxing voting requirements.
The county executive took several occasions Thursday to suggest that Hogan's election would give Republicans the Senate majority, whether or not Hogan personally opposes it. But top political handicappers favor Republicans taking the Senate majority, and they are projected to win West Virginia and Montana no matter what happens in the Maryland race.
She also questioned why Hogan would run as a Republican rather than as an independent when they disagree on so many important issues.
WATCH: Wisconsin dairy farmer says Trump administration was 'much better' than Biden-Harris, 'without question'
Democratic U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland greets voters on the day of the state's primary election Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Lewisdale Elementary School in Chillum, Maryland. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
But Mr. Hogan pushed back, explaining that he believes Washington, D.C., needs a representative to stand up to his own party. “I stood up for my party. I will stand up for both parties,” he said. “I think we need a maverick in Washington who isn't just going to do what the party bosses tell him to do.”
“I'm not a MAGA, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell kind of guy,” Hogan stressed.
Although the former governor has emphasized support for policies such as abortion rights and a border bill opposed by Republicans, Alsobrooks said such bills may not get votes in the Republican-controlled Senate. claimed to be high.
Wisconsin Senate race shifts to 'toss-up' among handicappers as Tammy Baldwin fights for re-election
Maryland's Senate race is much closer than in past election cycles. (Aaron Schwartz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
The Senate majority leader specifically controls the Senate's agenda.
A post-Maryland poll conducted by the University of Washington late last month showed Mr. Allsbrooks leading Mr. Hogan 51% to 40% in the traditionally deep blue state.
The survey was conducted from September 19th to September 23rd and had a sample size of 1,012 registered voters. The margin of error is +/-3.5 percentage points.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
During the same period, Fox News Power Rankings rated the Maryland Senate race as “leaning Democratic.”
At the top of the political handicap, the Cook Political Report considers Maryland's open seat “likely to be Democratic.”
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
