Maryland Senate Candidates Alsobrooks and Hogan Set for Televised Debate

BALTIMORE — The frontrunners in Maryland‘s U.S. Senate race, Democratic nominee Angela Alsobrooks and Republican nominee Larry Hogan, are poised to engage in their first televised debate. This pivotal encounter is slated to occur on Thursday, as aired by WBAL-TV 11, in collaboration with Maryland Public Television and NBC News.

As tensions rise in the lead-up to the election, the debate will be moderated by Chuck Todd, NBC News’ chief political analyst, with Deborah Weiner, anchor for 11 News, contributing as a panelist. This event is expected to draw significant attention from the electorate, keen to hear the candidates’ stances on pressing issues.

The one-hour debate will be aired without commercial interruptions at 7 p.m. local time, not only on WBAL-TV 11 but also streamed across multiple platforms, including Roku and Amazon Fire. Viewers will have the option to watch the debate online via the station’s website and app stores, ensuring accessibility for those unable to watch live on television.

Both candidates are said to be running neck-and-neck in terms of fundraising, with recent campaign finance reports revealing they have each amassed substantial contributions over the past few months. Ian Anson, a political science associate professor at UMBC, has indicated that such financial backing could play a crucial role as November approaches.

The issues expected to dominate the debate include the economy, healthcare, public safety, and social issues like abortion. A recent Goucher College Poll from March 2024 underscored that 60% of respondents regard abortion as a top priority. Both candidates are anticipated to address this issue head-on during their debate exchanges.