Angela Alsobrooks

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people
Revision as of 15:46, 24 February 2026 by Finley (talk | contribs) (Content engine: create biography for Angela Alsobrooks (2761 words))
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)


Angela Alsobrooks
BornAngela Deneece Alsobrooks
23 2, 1971
BirthplaceSuitland, Maryland, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
Known forFirst African-American U.S. senator from Maryland; first female county executive of Prince George's County
EducationDuke University (BA)
University of Maryland School of Law (JD)
Children1
Website[alsobrooks.senate.gov Official site]

Angela Deneece Alsobrooks (born February 23, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Maryland since January 3, 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Alsobrooks previously served as state's attorney for Prince George's County from 2011 to 2018 and as the county executive of Prince George's County from 2018 to 2024. Born and raised in Prince George's County, she built a career in public service that took her from prosecuting domestic violence cases to leading one of the most populous and affluent majority-Black counties in the United States. Her election to the U.S. Senate in 2024 was historic on multiple fronts: she became Maryland's first African-American senator, the state's first Black female senator, and only the third African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate in the body's history. She is also the second woman to represent Maryland in the Senate, following Barbara Mikulski.[1] Since taking office, Alsobrooks has drawn attention for her questioning of cabinet nominees and her focus on issues affecting Maryland constituents, including energy policy and opposition to executive tariffs.[2]

Early Life

Angela Deneece Alsobrooks was born on February 23, 1971, in Suitland, Maryland, a census-designated place in Prince George's County located just outside Washington, D.C.[3] She grew up in Prince George's County, a jurisdiction that would become central to both her personal identity and her professional career. Her upbringing in the county shaped her understanding of the community she would later serve in multiple capacities over the course of more than two decades in public life.

Alsobrooks has spoken publicly about her roots in Prince George's County and the influence of her family and community on her decision to pursue a career in law and public service. In a recorded conversation from May 2021, she discussed her early life and the path that led her into politics.[4] During a 2025 appearance at Howard University as part of the King Endowed Chair Series, Alsobrooks discussed her personal history and her connection to Howard, offering advice to students considering careers in public service.[5]

Her deep ties to Prince George's County distinguished her throughout her career. She was not an outsider seeking to govern the county but rather someone who had been raised there and understood its challenges and strengths firsthand — a biographical detail that featured prominently in her campaigns for state's attorney, county executive, and ultimately the United States Senate.

Education

Alsobrooks attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree.[3][6] Her legal education prepared her for a career that would begin in private practice and transition into public prosecution and government leadership.

Career

Early Legal Career and County Government

After completing her law degree, Alsobrooks began her career as an attorney working for local firms. She subsequently moved into the public sector, serving as a domestic violence prosecutor in Prince George's County. This role gave her direct experience with the criminal justice system and with some of the county's most vulnerable residents.[3]

Alsobrooks also served in an appointed capacity under Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson, gaining experience in county government administration before seeking elected office herself.[3]

State's Attorney of Prince George's County (2011–2018)

Alsobrooks was elected state's attorney of Prince George's County in 2010, succeeding Glenn Ivey in the position. She took office on January 3, 2011, and moved quickly to implement changes in the county's approach to prosecution.[7]

During her tenure as state's attorney, Alsobrooks oversaw a period in which Prince George's County experienced notable declines in violent crime. By January 2015, county leaders were highlighting a 40 percent decrease in homicides since 2010, a trend that encompassed most of Alsobrooks's time leading the county's prosecution office.[8]

Among the high-profile cases prosecuted during Alsobrooks's tenure was that of a Washington, D.C., police officer who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering his mistress and their daughter. The case drew significant media attention and demonstrated the office's capacity to handle complex and sensitive criminal matters.[9]

Alsobrooks's profile grew during her years as state's attorney. In June 2013, she was noted as a rising political figure at an event hosted by then-County Executive Rushern Baker, which also served as a platform for other politicians in the county.[10]

She was reelected as state's attorney in 2014, serving in the role until December 3, 2018, when she transitioned to the office of county executive. She was succeeded as state's attorney by Aisha Braveboy.

County Executive of Prince George's County (2018–2024)

In July 2017, Alsobrooks announced her candidacy for county executive of Prince George's County, promising that if elected she would give "everyone a seat at the table of opportunity."[11][12]

During the 2018 Democratic primary, Alsobrooks emphasized her record as state's attorney and her readiness to lead the county. She argued that her experience in county government made her the best-prepared candidate for the role.[13] The Washington Post endorsed Alsobrooks for county executive in May 2018, citing her qualifications and vision for the county.[14]

A significant endorsement came in April 2018 from then-U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, who backed Alsobrooks in the county executive race. The endorsement highlighted Alsobrooks's connection to national Democratic figures and underscored the friendship between the two women that would continue to develop over the following years.[15]

Alsobrooks won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election. In August 2018, Republican candidate Jerry Mathis dropped out of the race, effectively clearing the path for Alsobrooks's election in the heavily Democratic county.[16] She won the November 2018 general election and was sworn in on December 3, 2018, succeeding Rushern Baker. Her election made her Prince George's County's first female county executive and the first Black female county executive in the history of Maryland.[17]

As county executive, Alsobrooks led one of the largest jurisdictions in the Washington metropolitan area. Prince George's County, with a population of nearly one million residents, is one of the wealthiest majority-Black counties in the United States. During her tenure, Alsobrooks was considered a potential candidate for higher office, including the governorship of Maryland. In January 2021, reports indicated that she was being discussed as a possible contender for governor, though she ultimately did not enter that race.[18] Instead, in March 2022, she endorsed Wes Moore in the Maryland gubernatorial race.[19]

Alsobrooks was reelected as county executive in 2022, continuing to serve in the role until December 2, 2024, when she departed to take her seat in the United States Senate. She was succeeded in an acting capacity by Tara Jackson.

Her relationship with Kamala Harris, which had been established during the 2018 campaign, continued to develop during her time as county executive. A 2021 Washington Post article examined the bond between the two women, noting Alsobrooks's position as a Black woman in executive leadership in Prince George's County and Harris's role as the first Black and first female Vice President of the United States.[20]

2024 U.S. Senate Campaign

Alsobrooks entered the 2024 race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Ben Cardin. She competed in the Democratic primary before advancing to the general election, where she faced former Republican Governor Larry Hogan. The race drew national attention as one of the more closely watched Senate contests of the 2024 cycle, given Hogan's popularity as a moderate Republican in a state that leans Democratic.[21]

Alsobrooks defeated Hogan in the November 2024 general election. Her victory made her Maryland's first African-American senator, the third African-American woman elected to the United States Senate in the body's history, and the second woman to represent Maryland in the Senate after Barbara Mikulski.[3][21]

U.S. Senate (2025–present)

Alsobrooks was sworn in as the junior United States senator from Maryland on January 3, 2025, succeeding Ben Cardin and serving alongside senior Senator Chris Van Hollen.[22]

In her first year in office, Alsobrooks drew national attention for her role in Senate confirmation hearings. In a December 2025 profile, The Washington Post noted that her profile had risen after her questioning of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his confirmation hearing to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In the interview, Alsobrooks described her mission in the Senate as having been "crystal clear" from the start.[23]

Alsobrooks has focused on constituent services and issues affecting Maryland. In February 2026, she met with approximately 30 leaders from Cecil County who expressed concerns about an ongoing energy crisis affecting the area.[24]

On matters of national policy, Alsobrooks responded publicly to a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, emphasizing the ruling's impact on Maryland residents.[25]

In February 2026, Alsobrooks became the first U.S. senator to endorse Representative Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate race in Texas.[26][27]

Personal Life

Alsobrooks has one child.[3] She has maintained her connection to Prince George's County throughout her career, having been born, raised, and politically active in the jurisdiction for the entirety of her public life. Her friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris has been documented in multiple media accounts, with the relationship dating to at least Harris's endorsement of Alsobrooks in the 2018 county executive race.[15]

In September 2025, Alsobrooks spoke at Howard University as part of the King Endowed Chair Series, where she discussed her personal history and her connection to the university, alongside Trustee Emeritus Marie Johns. During the event, she encouraged students to consider careers in public service and to "elevate our voices."[28]

Recognition

Alsobrooks's career has been marked by a series of historic firsts. Upon her election as county executive of Prince George's County in 2018, she became the first woman and the first Black woman to hold that office in the county's history, as well as the first Black female county executive in the state of Maryland.[29]

Her election to the U.S. Senate in 2024 added further distinctions: she became Maryland's first African-American senator, the third African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and the second woman to represent Maryland in the Senate after Barbara Mikulski.[3]

The Washington Post endorsed her candidacy for county executive in 2018, praising her qualifications and record as state's attorney. Her questioning of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during Senate confirmation hearings in 2025 drew national media coverage and contributed to her rising national profile during her first year in office.[23]

Legacy

Though still in the early stages of her Senate tenure, Alsobrooks's career has already established her as a figure of historical significance in Maryland politics and in the broader context of African-American political representation in the United States. As the first African-American senator from Maryland — a state with a substantial Black population and a long history — her election in 2024 represented a milestone in the state's political evolution.

Her trajectory from domestic violence prosecutor to state's attorney to county executive to U.S. senator illustrates a path built within a single jurisdiction — Prince George's County — before expanding to statewide office. Her decades of service in the county gave her a depth of local experience uncommon among first-term senators.

As county executive, she led one of the most prominent majority-Black counties in the United States, a role that placed her at the intersection of local governance and national conversations about race, wealth, and political representation. Her friendship and political alliance with Kamala Harris further linked her story to broader narratives about Black women in American political leadership.[30]

Her early actions in the Senate — including her questioning during confirmation hearings, her constituent engagement on energy policy in Cecil County, and her endorsement of Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Senate race — suggest a senator seeking both to serve Maryland's diverse constituencies and to play an active role in national Democratic politics.

References

  1. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks | Family, Politician, Maryland, Friendship with Kamala Harris, & Biography".Britannica.2026-02-19.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Angela-Alsobrooks.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks on first Senate year: The mission was 'crystal clear.'".The Washington Post.2025-12-21.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/21/angela-alsobrooks-maryland-senator/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Angela Alsobrooks | Family, Politician, Maryland, Friendship with Kamala Harris, & Biography".Britannica.2026-02-19.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Angela-Alsobrooks.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks".C-SPAN.https://www.c-span.org/person/?137939.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Trustee Emeritus Marie Johns, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks Open 2025-26 King Endowed Chair Series with a Call to "Elevate Our Voices"".The Dig at Howard University.2025-09-23.https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/trustee-emeritus-marie-johns-sen-angela-alsobrooks-open-2025-26-king-endowed-chair-series-call.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks - Vote Smart".Vote Smart.https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/212637.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Prince George's prosecutor moves quickly to make changes".The Washington Post.2010-12-27.https://www.washingtonpost.com/cops-courts/prince-georges-prosecutor-moves-quickly-to-make-changes-/2010/12/27/ABhO2jD_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Prince George's leaders tout falling crime rates; homicides drop 40 percent since 2010".The Washington Post.2015-01-13.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/prince-georges-leaders-tout-falling-crime-rates-homicides-drop-40-percent-since-2010/2015/01/13/d38e006c-9b28-11e4-bcfb-059ec7a93ddc_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "D.C. officer sentenced to life in prison for killing his mistress and daughter".The Washington Post.2013-03-22.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-officer-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-killing-his-mistress-and-daughter/2013/03/22/315eea9c-92fe-11e2-a31e-14700e2724e4_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Rushern Baker event also gives other politicians a chance to shine".The Washington Post.2013-06-21.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/rushern-baker-event-also-gives-other-politicians-a-chance-to-shine/2013/06/21/9967ae8a-da84-11e2-9df4-895344c13c30_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Prince George's top prosecutor announces run for county executive".The Washington Post.2017-07-28.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/prince-georges-top-prosecutor-announces-run-for-county-executive/2017/07/28/43fd1b6f-2691-48f2-ba4c-61cc65451399_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "P.G. County's state's attorney launches campaign for county executive; Angela Alsobrooks promises everyone 'a seat at table of opportunity' if elected".The Washington Post.2017-07-31.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/pr-georges-states-attorney-launches-campaign-for-county-executive-angela-alsobrooks-promises-everyone-a-seat-at-table-of-opportunity-if-elected/2017/07/31/497c3af2-7608-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "'Trust me based on my record': Alsobrooks says she's best prepared to lead Prince George's".The Washington Post.2018-06-03.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/trust-me-based-on-my-record-alsobrooks-says-shes-best-prepared-to-lead-prince-georges/2018/06/03/59d05e60-4fba-11e8-af46-b1d6dc0d9bfe_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks for Prince George's County Executive".The Washington Post.2018-05-25.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/angela-alsobrooks-for-prince-georges-county-executive/2018/05/25/b011f2f8-5eb9-11e8-9ee3-49d6d4814c4c_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Sen. Kamala D. Harris backs Angela Alsobrooks in P.G. County executive race".The Washington Post.2018-04-16.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/sen-kamala-d-harris-backs-angela-alsobrooks-in-pr-georges-executive-race/2018/04/16/99bc854a-4181-11e8-bba2-0976a82b05a2_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Republican Jerry Mathis drops out of Prince George's County executive race".The Washington Post.2018-08-28.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/republican-jerry-mathis-drops-out-of-prince-georges-county-executive-race/2018/08/28/7f824514-ab0f-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks poised to become first woman to lead Prince George's County".The Washington Post.2018-11-06.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/angela-alsobrooks-poised-to-become-first-woman-to-lead-prince-georges-county/2018/11/06/737ab5f4-dba1-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Maryland governor money: Alsobrooks".The Washington Post.2021-01-21.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-governor-money-alsobrooks/2021/01/21/847297d4-5c03-11eb-b8bd-ee36b1cd18bf_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Alsobrooks, Moore endorse in Maryland governor's race".The Washington Post.2022-03-05.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/03/05/alsobrooks-moore-endorse-maryland-governor/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Black women: Alsobrooks, Harris, Prince George's".The Washington Post.2021-04-27.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/04/27/black-women-alsobrooks-harris-prince-georges/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Maryland election 2024: Alsobrooks, Hogan".The Washington Post.2024-11-02.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/11/02/maryland-election-2024-alsobrooks-hogan/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "FEC Candidate Information: Angela Alsobrooks".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S4MD00327.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Angela Alsobrooks on first Senate year: The mission was 'crystal clear.'".The Washington Post.2025-12-21.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/21/angela-alsobrooks-maryland-senator/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Leaders in Cecil County tell Sen. Alsobrooks that the energy crisis is a major concern".Cecil Daily.2026-02-20.https://www.cecildaily.com/news/leaders-in-cecil-county-tell-sen-alsobrooks-that-the-energy-crisis-is-a-major-concern/article_8f29b97a-519b-4808-a168-041d10e5c764.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Press Release: Senator Angela Alsobrooks Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Trump's Tariffs".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-21.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Senator+Angela+Alsobrooks+Responds+to+Supreme+Court+Ruling+on+Trump%27s+Tariffs.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Alsobrooks becomes first Senator to endorse Crockett in Texas Senate race".The Hill.2026-02-19.https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5744051-sen-angela-alsobrooks-endorses-jasmine-crockett/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Jasmine Crockett Scores First Senate Endorsement From Angela Alsobrooks".Black Information Network.2026-02-18.https://www.binnews.com/content/2026-02-18-jasmine-crockett-scores-first-senate-endorsement-from-angela-alsobrooks/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Trustee Emeritus Marie Johns, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks Open 2025-26 King Endowed Chair Series with a Call to "Elevate Our Voices"".The Dig at Howard University.2025-09-23.https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/trustee-emeritus-marie-johns-sen-angela-alsobrooks-open-2025-26-king-endowed-chair-series-call.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Angela Alsobrooks poised to become first woman to lead Prince George's County".The Washington Post.2018-11-06.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/angela-alsobrooks-poised-to-become-first-woman-to-lead-prince-georges-county/2018/11/06/737ab5f4-dba1-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Black women: Alsobrooks, Harris, Prince George's".The Washington Post.2021-04-27.https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/04/27/black-women-alsobrooks-harris-prince-georges/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Angela_Alsobrooks&oldid=1196"