Michael and Susie Gelman
As proud Marylanders and as Jewish Americans, we are voting for Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate over former Gov. Larry Hogan.
Angela Alsobrooks is 100% pro-choice and is committed to the defense of our democracy. She supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which empowers the Department of Justice to enforce voting rights and prevents right-wing legislatures from undermining those fundamental rights. She supports the Freedom to Vote Act, which expands voting rights, reforms campaign finance laws, bans gerrymandering and strengthens ethics laws for all federal officeholders.
We know that Alsobrooks will be supportive of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. She supports military aid to Israel and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. She favors working toward a two-state solution. However elusive two states might be today, it remains the only endgame that will allow Israel to flourish in safety and security as a Jewish state and that will fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to self-determination. She recognizes the need to eliminate the threat of Hamas and release the hostages remaining in Gaza in conjunction with a cease-fire that will allow the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to be addressed.
Sen. Ben Cardin endorsed Alsobrooks in part “because she is unequivocal in her support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.” One year after Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, Alsobrooks said, “In the Senate, I will continue my support for the U.S.-Israel alliance and providing Israel with the assistance it needs for its security against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists, including Hamas and Hezbollah. I will also support the effort toward a two-state solution that brings lasting peace in the region. The Israeli and the Palestinian people both deserve to live with freedom and security.”
She also said, “We must do all we can to combat the concerning rise of antisemitism in our communities and speak out against all forms of hate.”
Larry Hogan would have us believe that despite being a Republican, he’s somehow different. He claims he does not support Donald Trump, but he had no problem accepting his endorsement.
He claims to support some degree of reproductive freedom, but he would prefer that we forget that the majority party in the Senate determines the Senate’s agenda. Moreover, as governor, Hogan vetoed expanded access to abortion. Like Trump appointees to the Supreme Court who lied in their confirmation hearings about their support for abortion access, Hogan is not to be trusted on this issue. Electing Larry Hogan would give the Republicans control of the Senate, which Democrats are at risk of losing in November. A Republican Senate majority would mean that Sen. Mitch McConnell, not Larry Hogan, will run the Senate. A Republican Senate majority means that Sen. Lindsay Graham, not Larry Hogan, will chair the Judiciary Committee. A Republican Senate majority with Larry Hogan among its least senior members will be a rubber stamp for Trump if he wins the election.
If Trump wins the presidency — a real possibility, despite Hogan’s lukewarm concerns about such a prospect — we will need backstops in the House and Senate. If Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress, we can expect abortion to be banned or severely limited nationwide, including in Maryland. We must do our share to prevent a Republican majority in the Senate, and no matter how much he may obfuscate or say otherwise, Larry Hogan as senator would take the Senate that much closer to enacting Donald Trump’s agenda.
Angela Alsobrooks is an outstanding candidate who is strong on all our issues, including preserving our democracy, protecting reproductive freedom and maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel alliance. In addition, electing Alsobrooks will help ensure a Senate that shares those values. We cannot afford to compromise any of our values, especially not this November. Please join us in enthusiastically supporting Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate.
Susie Gelman is the immediate past chair of the Israel Policy Forum. Michael Gelman is a board member of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. They are both members of the Mid-Atlantic Media ownership group, publisher of Washington Jewish Week.
