[Baltimore Sun] Hogan, Alsobrooks and other Maryland politicians gather for annual Tawes clambake
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Battling spitting rain and overcast skies, supporters of Maryland’s top U.S. Senate contenders showed up in droves Wednesday on the Eastern Shore to boost their preferred candidates in the final six-week stretch before Election Day.
Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican Larry Hogan appeared at the J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake at the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, a popular annual event for Maryland politicians at all levels of government.
Both appeared at the tent of veteran lobbyist Bruce Bereano, thronged by supporters as they shook hands with attendees. Bereano, one of Annapolis’ most powerful advocates, said he supported Hogan for Senate and Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“He’s independent minded. We have to change the political climate in Maryland,” Bereano said of the former governor. Though he said he was a “lifelong Democrat,” Bereano bristled at the mention of Democrats criticizing Hogan’s record on reproductive rights.
“I know him when the cameras are off. [The criticisms] are all lies and misinformation,” Bereano said of his longtime friend. “He’s never once tried to limit women’s access to abortion in Maryland.”
Hogan has tried to distance himself from Donald Trump, emphasizing his past disagreements with the former president. His supporters held signs that said “SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON,” and “STRONG INDEPENDENT LEADERSHIP.”
“Trump isn’t going to win,” Hogan told The Baltimore Sun. He described his campaign as a “huge underdog,” and said despite polls putting Alsobrooks slightly ahead, that “there was an awful lot of momentum and enthusiasm” behind his campaign.
Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic senatorial candidate, poses with George Ojie-Ahamiojie, an associate professor at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, during the 47th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake at Somers Cove Marina. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
He briefly stopped by the Trump 2024 tent, where supporters of the former president shouted obscenities at him. Also dogging his campaign were four Maryland Democratic Party members who dressed in black judicial robes and white powdered wigs. They carried signs referencing Hogan’s past remark about Trump nominating “incredible judges to the Supreme Court.”
Those Democratic Party members declined to comment, referring a reporter’s comment request to a state party spokesperson.
Members of Maryland state employees’ union AFSCME Council 3 also followed Hogan’s camp with signs reading “LARRY HOGAN STOLE WAGES,” referring to an ongoing state wage theft case.
Union member John Feeley, a correctional sergeant in Hagerstown, placed the blame directly on the former governor’s shoulders.
“We feel [the wage theft] was by order of the Secretary of Corrections — who answered to Hogan,” he said.
Protesters with AFSCME District 3 hold signs behind Larry Hogan, the Republican senatorial candidate, during the 47th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake at Somers Cove Marina. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Later, Bereano tossed union members out who had followed Hogan into the tent.
“I know you don’t care, but this is what Larry Hogan is trying to correct,” Bereano said. “To me, nobody respects each other’s rights anymore. Don’t come into my tent. I told them, ‘you have free speech out there, but not in here. This is my tent.’”
Alsobrooks said she appeared at Tawes every year, which she called a “unifying event” for all Marylanders, regardless of party affiliation.
The Prince George’s County executive has sought to capitalize upon renewed enthusiasm for Harris, whom she considers a mentor.
“Everyone understands the stakes of this election — they’re high,” she said. Despite attacks on her claiming homeowner credits she was not entitled to, Alsobrooks said she had faith in Marylanders’ “savviness” to look past that and vote for her.
“Marylanders won’t cancel their vote. They know we need a majority in the Senate to get Harris’ agenda across, to be able to appoint Supreme Court justices, to protect reproductive rights,” she said. “They recognize this election is about the future.”
Jonathan Branch, an Alsobrooks supporter from Columbia, said Hogan’s doubtful remark about Trump’s chances of winning were the “first time (he’s) ever told the truth.”
“Hogan has been running from Trump but Trump dominates the party,” Branch said.
His friend, Alsobrooks supporter McNeal Brown, echoed that sentiment: “You can run from a person, but you can’t run from the title: Republican.”
Supporters of presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks, Jonathan Branch, left and McNeal Brown, who live in Columbia, talk about their decisions during the 47th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake at Somers Cove Marina. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
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