By Adam Pagnucco.
Congressman David Trone is running the most expensive political campaign in Maryland history. His $42 million in self-funding (and counting) has purchased a ton of TV time, mail, digital ads, polling and more. It has also apparently purchased a lot of opposition research on his Democratic opponent, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
I know this because of a series of emails the Trone campaign sent to the press during his debate with Alsobrooks on Friday. Here are the subject lines of those emails:
FACT CHECK: Under Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Has Experienced Historic Spike in Violent Crime
FACT CHECK: The Numbers Don’t Lie: David Trone Will Get Things Done in the U.S. Senate
FACT CHECK: Alsobrooks Puts Politics Over Prince George’s Students
FACT CHECK: Alsobrooks’ Mismanagement of Discrimination Lawsuit Cost Taxpayers $26 Million
FACT CHECK: Abortion Advocates Question Alsobrooks’ Commitment to Abortion Rights Amidst Lack of Action
On the Debate Stage, David Trone Stands Alone As Only Candidate With Foreign Policy Experience
FACT CHECK: Alsobrooks on the Payroll of Big Pharma, Big Oil, And Big Insurance
FACT CHECK: David Trone’s Support of Democrats Across the Country is Unparalleled, Totaling More Than $20 Million
FACT CHECK: Under Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Leaves Working Families Behind
FACT CHECK: Alsobrooks’ Fiscal Mismanagement Endangers Prince George’s County’s Essential Services and Education
Of these ten emails, three boosted Trone and seven bashed Alsobrooks. The negative emails had hyperlinks to back up their points.
Here is the thing that occurs to me upon reading them: while Trone has been leading the polls during the whole primary, Alsobrooks’s campaign contends that she is catching up. What if Trone’s polling has found the same trend? If it has, then his campaign must be having a robust internal debate. Should it use its Alsobrooks oppo in a last barrage of mail and TV ads to hold her off? Or is the risk in attacking her too great?
There are good reasons to attack and not attack.
In the meantime, I reprint below two of Trone’s “fact check” emails to illustrate what is likely the tip of the oppo iceberg he possesses. The first is about one of the biggest local issues, crime. The second is about the Democrats’ huge national issue, abortion – a topic on which Trone has some vulnerability. Any competent TV or mail firm could turn around these points or others into comms in a couple days, and Trone could quickly spend millions pushing them out.
Will Trone pull the trigger?
*****
FACT CHECK: Under Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Has Experienced Historic Spike in Violent Crime
Data Reveals an Alarming Rise in Violent Crime Under County Executive Alsobrooks
Baltimore, Md. – Angela Alsobrooks’ tenure as County Executive has been defined by persistent increases in violent crime, despite year after year budget increases for law enforcement
While other cities across the nation experience reductions in homicides and other crimes, Prince George’s County remains an outlier, with crime rates continuing to climb, undermining the safety and security of its residents. [Fox 45, 11/2/23]
In contrast to declining crime rates in major cities like Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia, Prince George’s County, under County Executive Alsobrooks’ leadership has experienced a concerning rise in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and robberies. [WBAL, 12/29/23]
August 2022 marked the “deadliest month in “decades” for Prince George’s County, with 24 homicides investigated by police. [Daily Mail, 9/5/22]
Since County Executive Alsobrooks took office in 2019, Prince George’s County has steadily increased carjackings. In 2021 alone, there were a staggering 393 carjackings reported in Prince George’s County, representing a 50% increase from 2020 and a 330% increase from 2019. [Washington Informer, 2/7/22]
Under County Executive Alsobrooks’ leadership, both property and violent crime surged by 41% in 2023 compared to the previous year. [Washington Post, 6/29/23]
The widespread crime surge that has taken place during County Executive Alsobrooks’ tenure has resulted in the number of stolen vehicle reports in Prince Goerge’s County skyrocketing by 179%, from nearly 1400 cases in 2022 to nearly 3,900 cases for the same period in 2023. [Washington Post, 6/29/23]
*****
FACT CHECK: Abortion Advocates Question Alsobrooks’ Commitment to Abortion Rights Amidst Lack of Action
Baltimore, Md. – Recent attacks from hope to distract from the truth: David Trone’s opponents in the primary and general elections lack a track record of legislative accomplishments or advocacy for abortion rights.
The facts are clear: David Trone is the only candidate for the United States Senate in Maryland with a proven track record fighting to expand and protect abortion rights in the United States. Abortion providers and advocates have widely recognized Trone’s advocacy and allyship. That’s why he’s received 100% ratings from national abortion rights organizations.
Advocates have questioned whether Alsobrooks’ promises to champion abortion rights are empty, citing her lack of action in her current role as County Executive. [Moco 360, 11/30/2023]
While neighboring counties, including Montgomery County, took decisive action to protect abortion rights by allocating $1 million in grants to abortion service providers, Prince George’s County has failed to do so under Alsobrooks’ leadership. [Moco 360, 11/30/2023]
Despite abortion rights being under threat in states across the country, Alsobrooks has neglected to support legislative efforts to protect abortion rights in the state of Maryland– having failed to submit testimony in the General Assembly. [Moco 360, 11/30/2023]
HB 1161 Health – Abortion – Ultrasound and Waiting Period
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1167: Public Health – Abortions – Coercion (Coercive Abuse Against Mothers Prevention Act)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1171: Declaration of Rights – Right to Reproductive Liberty
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1214: Maryland Child Protection Act of 2022
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1230: Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act of 2022
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1317: Health – Informed Consent (Woman’s Right to Know Act)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1321: Health – Abortions – Reporting Requirement
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1360: Public Health – Abortion-Inducing Drugs
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1369: Public Health – Abortions – Standards and Reporting
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
SB 504: Equal Protection of Unborn Human Beings Act of 2022
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
SB 535: Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
SB 891: Public Health – Medical Procedures – Parent or Guardian Notice (Maryland Parental Involvement Enhancement Act)
Witness List: No Alsobrooks
HR 705/SB 798: Declaration of Rights – Right to Reproductive Freedom
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 477/SB 341: Public Senior Higher Education Institutions – Reproductive Health Services Plans – Requirements
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 808/SB 659: Reproductive Health Protection Act
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 812/HB 786: Health – Reproductive Health Services – Protected Information and Insurance Requirements
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
SB 534: Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2023
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
SB 806: Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and Maryland Department of Health – Health Care and Dental Care Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants – Report
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 588/SB 365: Health Insurance – Qualified Resident Enrollment Program (also called “Access to Care Act”)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 523/SB 759: Correctional Services – Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (also called “Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act”)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1101/SB 901: Maryland Maternity Care Access Program, Fund, and Income Tax Checkoff – Establishment
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1043/SB 759: Public Health – Pregnancy – Coercion (also called “Coercive Abuse Against Mothers Prevention Act”)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 937/SB 890/CH 56: Abortion Care Access Act
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 50: Public Health – Abortion, Artificial Insemination, and Sterilization – Requirement
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 583: Public Health – Abortions Public Health – Abortions – Prenatal Diagnosis of Down Syndrome (Down Syndrome Dignity Act)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 626/SB 669: Pregnant Person’s Freedom Act of 2022
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 735: Public Health – Abortion
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 952: Access to Abortion Care and Health Insurance Act
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
HB 1139: Public Funds – Prohibition on Expenditures for Abortion (Abortion Subsidy Prohibition Act)
Witness List: No ALSOBROOKS
Alsobrooks dismissed questions from reporters who asked what she has done to protect and expand access to abortion in Prince George’s County, echoing Larry Hogan’s sentiments that abortion is “settled law” in Maryland. [Moco 360, 11/30/2023]
DAVID TRONE VS ANGELA ALSOBROOKS ON ABORTION RIGHTS:
A PROVEN TRACK RECORD VS EMPTY RHETORIC
DAVID TRONE
100% Ratings from Abortion Advocates
Helped open an abortion clinic in a Western Maryland abortion desert
Perfect voting record on reproductive health and abortion care in Congress
ANGELA ALSOBROOKS
No legislative ratings
Failed to invest in abortion care as county executive
No legislative record of action on abortion care as county executive