With just weeks to go before early voting begins in Maryland, Angela Alsobrooks is once again being confronted by “big money” as she works to become the first Black and second woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate. A super PAC supporting her opponent, former Gov. Larry Hogan, plans to spend at least $18 million between now and Election Day on ads hoping to shape how voters see her and the race. Maryland voters should not be distracted by ads — instead, they should evaluate Alsobrooks’ exemplary record of service as state’s attorney and county executive in Prince George’s County, they should think about how as senator she will fight to protect Marylanders’ fundamental rights and quality of life and they should be inspired that her barrier-breaking election will mean more diverse representation in Congress.

This year’s Senate race in Maryland will be among the most expensive in the nation. In the Democratic primary race, Alsobrooks defeated Rep. David Trone, a highly successful businessman who spent $60 million of his own money running against her. Now she is facing Hogan, a former governor who also spent most of his career in business. He’s raised millions, and outside groups are now looking to spend even more. Given how our elections are funded, big-money donors who often don’t even have ties to Maryland get a say in this race. Marylanders still get to have their say and make their own decision in this election.

We have seen this playbook before. In the 2022 Senate races, Democrats Cheri Beasley and Val Demings faced significant last-minute outside spending that aimed to sway public opinion and undermine their campaigns. Beasley, running in North Carolina, encountered a flood of negative ads from outside groups that sought to shape her narrative and detract from her accomplishments as a former state Supreme Court chief justice. Similarly, Demings, who ran in Florida, faced intense financial pressure from opponents and external entities, complicating her efforts to connect with voters. As Alsobrooks enters the home stretch of her Senate race in Maryland, she finds herself in a similar situation, with substantial outside spending anticipated to influence voter perceptions. Alsobrooks, however, is emphasizing her extensive record of public service and community engagement to counteract these financial challenges, encouraging Maryland voters to focus on her qualifications rather than the barrage of outside advertising.

Her record speaks for itself. A lifelong Marylander, Alsobrooks was born and raised in Prince George’s County. After law school, she became a domestic violence prosecutor and later worked in county government before being elected the youngest and first woman to serve as Prince George’s County state’s attorney. She has hands-on experience working with police to keep families and communities safe; she also knows how better policing and a more effective court system help citizens know that they are being treated justly. Another issue she intends to work hard on is gun safety — not to cut off law-abiding citizens’ access to guns but to get universal background checks, ban military-style weapons and stop dangerous individuals from getting guns. As county executive, she has focused on improving public education, creating economic opportunity and partnering to make access to quality health care services available for those who need it. She is keenly aware that politics is local and that what most matters to people are the things that allow them not to just live but to thrive.

Alsobrooks will focus on key Maryland issues from day one. Her priorities include raising the minimum wage to combat inflation and help families, improving education through increased teacher pay and expanded technical programs and making college more affordable. She supports the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard abortion rights. On immigration, she advocates for comprehensive reform, proposing citizenship pathways for current residents while supporting law enforcement in removing violent criminals here illegally.

As Alsobrooks continues to navigate her campaign, previous examples of the big money spent against Black women running for office serve as a reminder of the challenges Black women candidates face in securing their narratives amid significant external financial influence. As the final weeks of the campaign unfold, Maryland voters will have the opportunity to evaluate her vision and leadership and decide how they want to shape the future of representation in their state.

As a prosecutor and as a county executive, Alsobrooks knows how to bring people together and build consensus. She has taken down criminals and she has stood tall for working families. She knows of the importance of meeting the moment. She is prepared to bring her whole self to the job to stand up for what is right, for policies over politics, for action over inaction. When she goes to Washington she will proudly stand as the first Black woman elected to the Senate from Maryland and fight to make Maryland a safer, more prosperous place for Marylanders to achieve their biggest dreams and aspirations. She is ready to do the hard work to help America live up to its full potential and continue to offer freedom and justice for all.

Glynda C. Carr is president and CEO of Higher Heights for America, a 501(c)(4) organization, and its connected federal political action committee, Higher Heights for America PAC, which works to expand Black women’s elected representation and voting participation.