Angela Alsobrooks proves that money isn’t everything in Maryland’s Senate contest

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won the Democratic Senate primary in Maryland, beating an adult beverage chain mogul who had made the race a staggering display of his own wealth.

The race was called shortly before 10pm, when Ms Alsobrooks was leading by more than 20,000 votes. It was an impressive showing for a local state official against a congressman with more resources and a history of running in competitive Democratic primaries.

“We are going to defeat Larry Hogan, keep Maryland blue, and keep our Senate under Democratic control — spread the word,” the victor declared on Twitter shortly after the race was called.

Rep David Trone, the billionaire owner of the Total Wine & More chain, broke open the casks for this race and his election-night event was no exception. A modestly-attended bash (possibly a sign of the weather and generally low turnout of the primary) was thrown at Baltimore’s Museum of Industry, a quaint collection of relics from the city’s manufacturing past located a stone’s throw away from the towering red neon Domino Sugars sign which has illuminated Charm City’s skyline for nearly a century.

Partygoers including electeds from around Maryland said they expected the race to be close —  a “squeaker” — and they were right. Mr Trone’s staggering cash advantage had come up against a sizable chunk of the Maryland Democratic machine. More than an hour after voting had ended, it was clear that it had not been the race-defining advantage his supporters hoped it would be.

Money was one factor that played heavily into this primary. Race was another.

As attendees slowly trickled into Mr Trone’s event, a clear theme emerged: the candidate’s strength with both Latino and Asian-American Democratic