Candidates Square Off on Courts, Policy and Party in Maryland Senate Debate

Larry Hogan, the Republican former governor, and Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic Prince George’s County executive, sparred over whether to expand the Supreme Court and overhaul the legislative filibuster.

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Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan during the Maryland Senate debate in Owings Mills, Md., on Thursday.

They clashed on altering the Supreme Court and abolishing the filibuster. Each accused the other of lying or misrepresenting the facts. They even disagreed on which professional football team to support.

If the first and only debate in the race for Maryland’s open Senate seat was polite, it also revealed distinct policy differences between the Democratic candidate, Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County executive, and Larry Hogan, the Republican former governor, who has trailed her in the polls.

At the studios of Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills, Ms. Alsobrooks and Mr. Hogan — who were political allies for years before becoming rivals in the state’s only competitive Senate race in decades — squared off Thursday afternoon in an hourlong debate moderated by NBC’s Chuck Todd.

For weeks, supporters of the two leading candidates have blanketed the airwaves with attack ads in what is proving to be one of the most expensive races in the country, accusing Ms. Alsobrooks of being a tax cheat and Mr. Hogan of being a stooge for Republican bosses.

But in a heavily Democratic state where Mr. Hogan is popular, it was clear neither wanted an overly hostile exchange, and they spent time discussing areas in which they agree. Both said they supported codifying abortion rights; proclaimed former President Donald J. Trump unfit for office; and condemned the right-wing Project 2025 agenda pushed by Mr. Trump’s allies.

“I just want to start by saying that I like and respect Angela Alsobrooks,” Mr. Hogan said in his opening remarks. “We got a chance to work together. While as governor, we accomplished a great deal together for Prince George’s County.”

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