THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, CLOSING ARGUMENTS FROM THE CANDIDATES IN A RECORD HAD-SETTING PRIMARY CAMPAIGN.

AND A NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF MARYLAND'S I AM GRANT WORKFORCE.

>>> BUT FIRST THIS WEEK, IT'S BEEN ONE MONTH SINCE THE CONTAINER SHIP DESTROYED BALTIMORE'S KEY BRIDGE.

THIS WEEK SEVERAL VESSELS THAT HAD BEEN STRANDED WERE ABLE TO SAIL FROM BALTIMORE.

THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ANNOUNCING A PARTIAL OPENING OF THE MAIN SHIPPING CHANNEL.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARE ALSO PICKING UP SPEED.

THE CITY OF BALTIMORE WENT TO COURT TO OPPOSE A MOVE BY THE OWNERS OF THE RUN AWAY SHIP THAT COULD SHARPLY LIMIT THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE SPOKE WITH MARITIME ATTORNEY CHARLES SIMMONS WHO TEACHES AT BOTH THE UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

>> WHAT THOSE ENTITIES DID, IS THEY WENT INTO UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND HERE IN BALTIMORE.

AND THEY ASKED THE COURT TO LIMIT THEIR LIABILITY IN THIS ACTION IN THIS CASE.

TO THE VALUE OF THE SHIP, POST INCIDENT MEANING IN THE DAMAGED STATE.

PLUS THE FREIGHTS THAT IT HAD PENDING AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION.

WHICH THEY'VE ALLEGED IS ABOUT I BELIEVE IT WAS 43.7 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND SO THAT'S THE PROCEDURAL POSTURE.

THIS IS AN ANCIENT DOCTRINE ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1851.

WITH THE IDEA THAT IT WOULD PROMOTE U.S.

SHIPPING INTERESTS TO BUILD SHIPS AND TO ENGAGE IN MARITIME COMMERCE AND LIMIT THEIR LIBERTY FOR INCIDENTS THAT ARISE OUT OF MARITIME VOYAGES.

>> Jeff: NOW, THIS COULD BE A LONG LIST OF POTENTIAL PLAINTIFFS WHO SUFFERED DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT LIMITATION NOT APPLIED.

WHAT IS GOING TO DECIDE THAT?

>> SO THE ENTITLEMENT TO LIMITATION UNDER THE 1851 STATUTE IS WHETHER THE OWNERS WERE MANAGERS OR OTHERS SITUATED HAD PRIVILEGETY OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ITCH THAT ULTIMATELY GAVE RISE TO THE INCIDENT.

IN THIS CASE THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE DID THE OWNER OR MANAGER KNOW OR SHU THEY HAVE KNOWN THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEMS THE POWER SYSTEMS OF THE VESSEL THAT SEEMED TO HAVE FAILED AND CAUSED THIS ISSUE.

IF THEY DID, THEY HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE, THEN THERE IS A BETTER CHANCE THAT THE CLAIMANTS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE STATUTE.

>> Jeff: WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF BALTIMORE'S FILING ASSERTING THAT THE CREW WAS INATTENTIVE, THE CREW WAS INCOMPETENT AND THE CREW IN FACT DID HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF DEFECTS ON THE SHIP?

WHAT WAS THE URGENCY IN THAT FILING?

>> SO THE [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] LOCAL FEDERAL COURT WHO HAS THIS CASE, THE JUDGE BED AR ESTABLISHEDDED A CLAIM DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 IN THIS CASE.

SO OTHER THAN THAT DEADLINE, THERE REALLY WAS NO POTENTIAL URGENCY OTHER THAN BEING PROACTIVE AND PRESENTING TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE CITY OF BALTIMORE CARES ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND IS TAKING A PROACTIVE STANCE IN THE CLAIM FILINGS.

BUT IN THAT FILING, THE CITY DID A COUPLE OF THINGS.

IT SAID THE SHIP WAS UNSEA WORTHY IT WASN'T IN SHAPE TO CARRY OUT ITS INTENDED VOYAGE AND THE OWNERS KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE UNSEA WORTHY CONDITION OF THE SHIP.

MEANING THERE WERE SYSTEMS PROBLEMS ONBOARD POTENTIALLY.

ANOTHER WAY OF PRESENTING AN UNSEA WORTHINESS CLAIM NOT AT THAT TIME THE SHIP WAS INAPPROPRIATE BUT YOU CAN HAVE AN UNSEA WORTHY CONDITION IF THE VIEW OR THE CAPTAIN OR THE MASTER IN THIS CASE WERE NOT QUALIFIED TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES THAT IS ANOTHER WAY OF ARGUING THAT THE LIMITATION AMOUNT SHOULD NOT APPLY IN THE CASE.

>> Jeff: I'VE READ THAT THERE IS AN ENORMOUS INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE POOL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE ACCESSED HERE TO PAY FOR A NEW BRIDGE AND MAKING THE SHIPPERS WHOLE AND THE CERTAINLY THE FAMILIES OF THE MEN WHO WERE LOST.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OR CAN YOU HANDICAP WHETHER, IN FACT, THIS WILL BE LIMITED TO THE 40 SOME MILLION OR POTENTIALLY MANY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS?

>> SO THAT'S TOUGH IN THE SORT OF STAGE.

WE'RE HEARING RUMORS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE WERE POWER ISSUES ON THE VESSEL AT THE TERMINAL BEFORE IT LEFT.

WHETHER THOSE RUMORS TURNOUT TO BE TRUE OR NOT, TIME WILL TELL.

WAS THAT SUFFICIENT TO GIVE THE OWNERS KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD ISSUES THAT THEY SHOULD THAT HAVE LEFT THE TERMINAL?

AGAIN, TIME WILL TELL.

IF, IN FACT, IT CAN BE ESTABLISHED OR THE OWNERS CAN FAILED TO DISPROVE THEY HAD PRIFTY OR KNOWLEDGE THERE COULD BE AN EN TIGHT.

ELEMENT TO -- ENTITLEMENT IN THE INSURANCE PROTECTION AND INDEMNITY CLUBS.

WHICH IS USUALLY FUNDED BY THE CROSS INDEMNITIES FROM A NUMBER OF SHIP OWNER INTERESTS AND THAT IS WHY THERE'S SUCH SIGNIFICANT ASSETS OUT THERE.

>> Jeff: IN THE MARITIME WORLD, DO OPERATORS, OWNERS OF VESSELS TRY TO BUILD LEGAL WALLS THE MOATS AROUND THEM WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF CORPORATE STRUCTURES WHAT YOU SEE IN OTHER KINDS OF BUSINESS SO THIS COULD BE ITS OWN LEGAL CORPORATION OR PARTNERSHIP OR ENTITY AND BASICALLY ISOLATING THE POTENTIAL DAMAGES?

ITCH NOT READ ANYTHING TO THAT EFFECT?

>> THERE ARE ATTEMPTS TO INSULATE AND ISOLATE THE OWNERSHIP INTERESTS FROM POTENTIAL EXTENSIVE LIABILITY AND THAT IS ALSO WHY THE SHIPS ARE INSURED THROUGH PNI CLUBS THERE ARE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN CATASTROPHIC SITUATIONS.

>> Jeff: HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT UNTIL THEY FINAL RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER?

>> SO IT WILL BE YEARS BEFORE THE FEDERAL LITIGATION IS RESOLVED.

CURRENTLY IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, JEFF, THERE'S NOT EVEN A SOLID ESTIMATE ON WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO REBUILD THE BRIDGE INCLUDING THE ARCHITECTURAL DEIGNS AND THE PLANS LET ALONE THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION SO THER% IS A LIQUIDATED AMOUNT BEING SOUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY FOR THE REPAIRS.

>> Jeff: LASTLY WHEN YOU TEACH MARITIME LAW TO LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE YOU NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IN THE FIELD OVER THE LAST FOUR WEEKS?

>> SO INTERESTINGLY, I CO-TEACH AT BOTH OF THE LOCAL LAW SCHOOLS WITH ANOTHER ADMIRAL TWO LAWYER AND THE SUBJECT MATTER OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY WAS ONE OF THE LAST COURSES THAT WE TAUGHT ONE OF THE LAST SUBJECT MATTERS WE TAUGHT AND THERE WAS TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN BOTH THE THEORETICAL SIDE AND THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: OUR CHANGE TO Mr. SIMMONS, THE SIX WORKERS KILLED IN THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE WERE ALL IMMIGRANTS.

A NEW REPORT FINDS THAT MARYLAND'S ECONOMY RELIES HEAVILY ON IMMIGRANT WORKERS AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] I AM FROM TOGO.

>> Reporter: LIKE MILLIONS OF I AM GRANTS HE IS PURSUING THE AMERICAN DREAM.

WE MET THEM AT THE WELCOME AND WORKERS CENTER HE WAS A JOURNALIST IN WEST AFRICA AND NOW SEEKING WORK AS A DAY LABORER.

>> RECLEAN THE HOUSES,.

>> Reporter: THE MOST RECENT MARYLAND STATE OF THE ECONOMY BRIEF FROM THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE REVEALS THAT I AM GRANTS ARE FUELING THE LABOR FORCE IN NUMBERS LARGER THAN THE U.S. AVERAGE.

IN MARYLAND 21% OF WORKERS ARE FOREIGN BORN COMPARED TO A NATION AVERAGE OF 17%.

AS OF 2021 THE TOP FIVE HOME COUNTRIES ARE EL SALVADOR, INDIA, CHINA, NIGERIA AND GUATEMALA.

>> ENTREPRENEURS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE BECAUSE THEY ADD JOBS.

AND MARYLAND, 28.4% OF ENTREPRENEURS ARE IMMIGRANTS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE OPENING RESTAURANTS, ARE OPENING BUSINESSES THAT SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: Dr. HUBBARD IS A DATA SCIENTIST AT THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL A RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION FOR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS.

>> WHAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN MARYLAND ARE THE FIELDS THAT IMMIGRANTS GO INTO AND WHERE WORKERS ARE NEEDED AND THOSE ARE INDUSTRIES LIKE HEALTHCARE, IT AND CONSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter: IN MARYLAND, IMMIGRANTS MAKEUP OVER 50% OF THE WORKFORCE AS HOME HEALTH AIDES, TAXI DRIVERS, HOUSEKEEPERS AND CARPENTERS.

>> YOU CAN SEE THAT IMMIGRANTS USUALLY GO TO DO THE MORE RISKY JOBS.

SO CONSTRUCTION OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> PABLO IS THE DIRECTOR FOR IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN CASA IN ROCKVILLE.

>> MANY CASES THAT IS THE KIND OF JOB BECAUSE OF THE SKILL THEY HAVE.

IN MANY CASES ALSO, PEOPLE HAVE CERTIFICATIONS FROM THEIR HOME COUNTRIES THAT THEY CANNOT USE HERE.

SO WE HAVE DOCTORS, WORKING ON PHARMACIES LIKE PUTTING MEDICINES ON THE SHELVES.

OR WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH DEGREES DOING LANDSCAPING AND WORK LIKE THAT, BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO RENEW YOUR CREDIT IN THE U.S.

WHEN YOU COME TO THE U.S. WITH A DEGREE FROM YOUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRANTS CAN APPLY FOR JOBS, LEARN ENGLISH AND GET LEGAL CONSULTATIONS HOW TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP.

THERE'S A VOCATIONAL TRAINING LAB FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION CAN LEARN THE SKILLS NEEDED TO LAND A JOB.

DESPITE THE MANY CHALLENGES FACING IMMIGRANTS.

>> WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOP THE OF THE STATE BECAUSE SOME OF US PAY THE TAXES.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE BENEFITS UNTIL THEY BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS.

EVEN SO HE SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL TO CALL MARYLAND HOME.

>> IF YOU FALL DOWN YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP AND GO AHEAD SO YOU MUST BE READY TO DO ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THIS.

>> Reporter: I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: EARLY VOTING FOR THE MARYLAND PREMIER ELECTION STARTS NEXT THURSDAY AND ELECTION DAY IS MAY 14TH.

WITH TIME RUNNING SHORT WE BRING YOU CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN THE STATE'S MOST EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGN THE RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR U.S. SENATE.

WE WILL HEAR FROM ANGELA ALSOBROOKS IN A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, OUR CONVERSATION WITH CANDIDATE DAVE LUCAS.

DAVID TRONE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING IN BALTIMORE TODAY?

>> YES, SIR, BIG DAY IN BALTIMORE AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND SPOKE TO THE FOLKS HERE AND HEADING OUT TO A PLANNED PARENTHOOD GALA AT A SENIORS EVENT AND STOP AFTER STOP.

>> Jeff: FOR ANYBODY WATCHING US WHO IS UNDECIDED, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS RACE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE RACE IS A COUPLE KEY THINGS.

ONE IS WHO CAN BEAT LARRY HOGAN.

I WILL BEAT LARRY HAD HOGAN.

IF WE DON'T STOP LAR IRY HOGAN WE LOSE THE SENATE TO THE REPUBLICANS THE PARTY OF CHAOS.

AND THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RACE IS THAT I'VE GOT A TRACK RECORD, THREE-TERM TRACK RECORD OF GETTING THINGS DONE IN CONGRESS WHICH MEANS JUST PASS THE BILLS THROUGH THE SENATE.

EVERY BILL I PASSED WE PASSED 26 BILLS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION ALONE LAST SESSION, AND ALL OF THOSE I NEEDED 10 REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATORS TO GET THEM DONE.

SO HISTORY OF GETTING THINGS DONE.

AND ALSO NOT TAKING MONEY FROM SPECIAL INTEREST.

>> Jeff: IN THE SIX YEARS IN CONGRESS WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE THING THAT YOU'RE PROUD TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED?

>> ADDICTION.

STATE OPIOID RESPONSE GRANT WE PASSED A BILL LAST SESSION FOR $8.75 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS.

I MEAN WE'RE LOSING 110,000 A YEAR.

MY NEPHEW DIED OF A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST DEAL THERE IS IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW.

AND 26 BILLS JUST LAST SESSION ALONE ON THOSE TWO SUBJECTS.

THAT IS A LOT OF LEGISLATION.

>> Jeff: THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PRIMARY CAMPAIGN SO YOU AND YOUR OPPONENT ARE MOSTLY COMING TO THINGS FROM THE SAME PERSPECTIVE.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC ISSUES WHERE YOU AND MS. ALSOBROOKS DISAGREE?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN 100% AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY ALWAYS, ALTHOUGH HAVE BEEN.

AND THE ONLY CANDIDATE NOT TAKING PAC SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY.

MS. ALSOBROOKS TAKES MONEY FROM EXXON.

I DON'T THINK EXXON IS GOING TO HELP THE CLIMATE.

SHE TAKES MONEY FROM PFIZER, I DON'T THINK PFIZER HELPS GET DRUG PRICES LOWER.

CIGNA WILL NOT ACCEPT MY BILLS WHEN WE SEND THEM IN.

IT'S THAT SEPARATE INTEREST MONEY THAT SEPARATES US APART.

FOLKS IN MARYLAND ARE INTERESTED IN FOLKS THAT ARE INDEPENDENT TRULY INDEPENDENT, AND HAVE A 100% RATING ON ABORTION.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD 100%, WE'VE OPENED UP A CLINIC WHICH I HELPED FUND IN WESTERN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: THE OTHER SIDE OF NOT TAKING ANY PACT MONEY IS YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WRITE CHECKS FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHICH LEADS TO THE ACCUSATION THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO BUY THE RACE?

>> WHAT YOU HEAR FROM FOLKS AND VOTERS WOW, THAT'S FANTASTIC.

FIRST OF ALL NO ONE GAVE ME A CENT.

I STARTED OFF MAKING $1.30 AN HOUR WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD PUNCHING A TIME CLOCK.

WE DID NOT HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING WE HAD NO TOILETS IN THE HOUSE.

I BUILT THE BUSINESS AFTER MY DAD WENT BANKRUPT ON OUR FARM AND LOST EVERYTHING.

AND I STARTED OVER AT 28.

AND I BUILT SOMETHING TOTAL WINE AND MORE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WITH 12,000 MEMBERS AND BUILT A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.

I'VE BEEN LUCKY AND I KNOW I'VE BEEN LUCKY.

I AM ALSO A CANCER SURVIVOR.

I'VE LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM I AM ON A MISSION TO MAKE LIFE A BIT BETTER FOR A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND PEOPLE LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT YOUR OWN MONEY INTO INVESTING IN OUR COUNTRY.

INVESTING IN AMERICA, THAT'S PRETTY SPECIAL VERSUS PUTTING YOUR HANDOUT TO EXXON AND THOSE TYPE OF COMPANIES.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU SAY YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN PACT MONEY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, DOES THAT MEAN YOU WOULD CONTINUE THAT POLICY IF YOU WERE ELECTED TO THE SENATE?

OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS IF YOU ARE SITTING AS ONE OF 100 SENATORS THERE WILL BE ALL KINDS OF GROUPS THAT WILL LINEUP TO GIVE YOU MONEY.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO SAY NO?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN LINED UP FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND WE'VE SAID NO.

NO FOR SIX YEARS IN A ROW.

WHEN WE WIN, WE WILL BE THE ONLY U.S.

SENATOR THAT DOESN'T TAKE PACT SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY.

ONE OUT OF 100.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT'S OUR VOTE BELONGS TO MARYLAND.

BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

NOT THOSE BIG COMPANIES WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND NEVER PUT PEOPLE OVER POLITICS.

AND I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PUT PEOPLE OVER POLITICS AND THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

INSTEAD THEY PUT THEMSELVES FIRST.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH SHOULD VOTERS CARE ABOUT ENDORSEMENTS?

YOUR OPPONENT HAS SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MARYLAND POLITICS?

>> YEAH, I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE FIRST VOTER TO SAY WHAT DID SO AND SO WHO DID ENDORSE YOU?

NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED ME.

VOTERS DON'T REALLY CARE.

MARYLANDERS ALL KNOW MARYLANDERS THEY TEND TO ENDORSE EACH OTHER.

THE FOLKS THAT KNOW US WELL ARE HAKEEM JEFFERIES AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE.

ALL OF WHOM SUPPORT US.

PEOPLE LIKE THE TEACHERS' UNION, MSCA, 75,000 STRONG HAVE ENDORSED US.

WE HAVE 100% LABOR SUPPORT ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND SO, OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR NEIGHBORS UP AND DOWN THE STREET AND IT'S PEOPLE THAT REALLY HERE THE MOST.

>> Jeff: CONGRESSMAN, WHAT IS THE STRATEGY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> JUST MORE INTENSITY OF BEING PRESENT.

I MEAN, I WON IN MY DISTRICT IT IS A REPUBLICAN PLUS ONE DISTRICT.

I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN MARYLAND THAT EVER WON IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

THAT'S HOW WE BEAT LARRY HOGAN.

I CAN BEAT LARRY HOGAN.

IT'S NOT JUST THE RESOURCES, IT'S THE FACT I WON BY 10 POINTS MEANS I HELD EVERY DEMOCRAT AND GOT 11% OF THE INDEPENDENTS AND REPUBLICANS ONBOARD WITH US.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

>> Jeff: CONGRESSMAN DAVID TRONE JOINING US FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN BALTIMORE.

SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD.

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US NOW IS PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Jeff: GOOD TO SEA YOU.

LET'S PRETEND THERE IS SOME MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTER WHO JUST STARTED PAYING ATTENTION TO THE RACE AND FOUND OUT THAT BEN CARDIN IS RETIRING.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAMPAIGN AND CANDIDACY?

>> THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT THE FUTURE.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS EXCITING ABOUT IT IS HE WE GET TO DETERMINE NOT ONLY THE KIND OF STATE WE WANT TO LIVE IN BUT WITH THE SENATE RACE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE THE KIND OF COUNTRY THAT WE WILL BUILD FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR CHILDREN.

A COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE PLACES FOR FAMILIES TO LIVE.

WHERE TRUE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US SO WE CAN HAVE JOBS WITH INCREASING INCOME AND A PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE.

WHERE WE HAVE HEALTHCARE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

THESE ARE THE ISSUES WHERE WE HAVE CHOICE WHERE WOMAN HAS THE PRIVACY AND FREEDOM TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH HER BODY.

THESE ARE THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING IN THIS RACE.

AND WE DECIDE WHAT KIND OF PERSON WE THINK IS BEST TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT OUR STATE AND TO ALSO BE AMONG THAT BODY FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: ARE THERE ANY AREAS WHERE YOU WOULD WANT TO DRAW A CONTRAST WITH YOUR OPPONENT ON GENERAL BIOGRAPHY OR ANY SPECIFIC ISSUES WHERE YOU DISAGREE?

>> WELL, I THINK MY EXPERIENCE IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM MY OPPONENT'S EXPERIENCE.

I'M A PERSON WHO FIRST OF ALL HAS HAD 27 YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE STARTING AS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROSECUTOR.

WHICH HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE.

BUT IT IS ALSO THE CASE THAT I NOT ONLY KNOW POLICY, YOU WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT MY OPPONENT TALK ABOUT VOTING I KNOW THE POWER OF POLICY AND I KNOW ALSO HOW TO IMPLEMENT THAT POLICY.

IN OTHER WORDS I'VE DRAWN TO OUR STATE, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SCHOOLS AND BUILD HOSPITALS AND TO BE ABLE TO BUILD ROADS.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT STEP ONE IS VOTING.

AND HOW DO YOU CONVERT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO SOLID SORTS OF THINGS FOR FAMILIES.

HOW DO YOU GROW JOBS?

THESE ARE THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO AND THESE ARE SKILLS BRING DOWN CRIME.

THESE ARE THE SKILLS THAT I HAVE THAT I THINK WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: WHEN I ASKED Mr. TRONE THAT SAME QUESTION HE BROUGHT UP THE DEATH PENALTY.

IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON THE DEATH PENALTY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW MARYLANDERS HAVE SPOKEN WHERE THE DEATH PENALTY IS CONCERNED.

AND LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IS THE STIFFEST PENALTY YOU CAN FACE.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS, I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN THE RACE WHO HAS EVER HAD THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND I'VE SAID IT ONCE, I MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES.

I BELIEVE IN PARTICULAR THAT ANYONE WHO HARMS AND MOST ESPECIALLY KILLS A CHILD DESERVES THE STIFFEST PENALTY POSSIBLE AND IN THIS CASE THAT IS LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

SO I AM A PERSON WHO HAS HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AND I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE IN THE PLACES WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE A NEW TELEVISION AD RUNNING I JUST SAW IT THIS MORNING BIG GROUP OF MARYLAND ELECTED DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS ENDORSING YOUR CAMPAIGN.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT THAT AD IS MEANT TO CONVEY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE LIKE GOVERNOR MOORE AND CONGRESSMAN RASKIN AND OTHERS AND THEY ALL HAVE WORKED WITH ME.

SENATOR VAN HOLLEN AND I WORKED ON VETERANS ISSUES.

I'VE WALKED WITH CONGRESSMAN HOYER TO BRING THE NATIONAL F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THEY KNOW ME AND Mr. TRONE.

ALMOST ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND HIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HAVE WORKED WITH HIM AND THEY HAVE ENDORSED ME.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO BE ABLE TO EARN THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK CLOSEST WITH YOU AND WHO KNOW BOTH OF YOU.

BUT I ALSO HAVE PEOPLE IN THAT AD THAT YOU SAW WHO HAVE KNOWN ME MOST OF MY LIFE.

I HAVE PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEXT DOOR TO ME WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD WHO COME OUT TO SUPPORT ME.

I HAVE TEACHERS WHO TAUGHT ME IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT SUPPORT ME.

I HAVE FRIENDS I MET IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I AM A PERSON THAT VALUES RELATIONSHIPS.

I VALUE MARYLANDERS AND I WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR THEM AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN OFFICE WHO UNDERSTAND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

SO I HAVE NOT ONLY A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF DELIVERING RESULTS, BUT I KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE.

>> Jeff: YOUR OPPONENT SAYS THAT HE WOULD BE THE STRONGEST DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IN THE FALL AGAINST THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FORMER GOVERNOR HOGAN AND A COUPLE OF PUBLIC POLLS SEEM TO BEAR THAT OUT BY A COUPLE OF PERCENTAGE POINTS.

WHO IS THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU WOULD ULTIMATELY BE THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE AGAINST HOGAN IN THE FALL?

>> WELL, I THINK DAVID TRONE BELIEVES THAT I AM A FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE WHERE HE SPENT $47 MILLION I HIGHEST WE'VE SEEN IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO DEFEAT ME.

THERE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WILL BE DETERMINED ONE IS AN ISSUE IMPORTANT IS AN ISSUE AROUND CHOICE WHERE DAVID TRONE HAS SPENT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY WORKING TO ELECT AND TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDACIES OF THE SOME MOST RADICAL REPUBLICANS IN OUR COUNTRY THAT PASSED SOME OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE ANTIABORTION LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND DONE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS THROUGH HIS COMPANY TO THE REPUBLICANS WHO WORKED TO DEFEAT DEMOCRATS.

THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WILL DISTINGUISH ME LARRY HOGAN WE KNOW IS NOT PRO-CHOICE.

AND WHAT I BELIEVE WE NEED IN A CANDIDATE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC MUST NOMINATE A CANDIDATE WHO CAN BRING OUT THE BASE OF OUR PARTY.

I HAVE BUILT A COALITION A BROAD COALITION OF SUPPORT OF GRASSROOT SUPPORT ACROSS THE STATE THAT WILL SPEAK TO THE BASE OF OUR PARTY THAT WILL BE EXCITED YOUNGER VOTERS, WOMEN VOTERS WE NEED A CANDIDATE WHO NOT ONLY WORKS AGAINST TELLS PEOPLE TO VOTE AGAINST SOMEONE WE NEED A CANDIDATE WHO INSPIRES PEOPLE AND GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO VOTE FOR.

I AM THE STRONGER CANDIDATE TO GO AGAINST LARRY HOGAN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

PRESENTING NOT ONLY RESULTS THAT I HAVE DELIVERED OVER THE YEARS FOR MY COMMUNITIES, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A CANDIDATE ALSO WHO KNOWS HOW TO INSPIRE THE BASE OF THE PARTY AND HAVE THEM COME OUT TO VOTE.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN THE PRIMARY, THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAS A NEW WEBSITE THE ADDRESS IS VOTE.MD.GOV/VOTE 2024.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

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