Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and former Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) look to strengthen their higher education platforms as November’s election for Maryland’s vacant U.S. Senate seat approaches.

Alsobrooks and Hogan vie to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). If elected, Alsobrooks plans to support education initiatives proposed by the Biden administration, while Hogan hopes to continue work from his gubernatorial tenure, including plans to make college more affordable for low-income and middle-class families.

Alsobrooks, who has a daughter in college, believes education is a “right for everyone,” a campaign spokesperson said in a statement to The Diamondback.

She would support expanding the Pell Grant program, the statement said.

Pell Grants provide significant financial support for low-income undergraduate students. According to the Education Data Initiative, 51 percent of the grant’s funds go to students who live in households making less than $20,000 per year. Students can receive up to $7,395 in grants for the 2024-25 academic year.

The statement also highlighted Alsobrooks’s support for Biden’s student debt forgiveness program, which would forgive up to $20,000 in debt for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for non-Pell Grant recipients.

[Alsobrooks and Hogan tied in tight US Senate race, poll finds]

In a statement to The Diamondback, a Hogan campaign spokesperson said the Republican Senate nominee offered scholarships to low-income and middle-income students and prevented tuition increases as governor.

The spokesperson also referenced Hogan’s 2016 Smartbuy 3.0 program, which allows first-time homebuyers to purchase a home while paying off their student debt. Under the program, homebuyers with at least $1,000 in student debt can have 15 percent of the home financed with a maximum of $20,000.

“[Hogan] consistently advocated providing incentives, credits, and other innovative programs to help families save for college,” the statement read.

Paul Brown, an associate clinical professor and director of the civic innovation center at the University of Maryland’s public policy school, said the most significant differences between the candidates are in their budgets.

In 2016, Hogan oversaw an $82 million state budget cut, including an $18.3 million reduction for the University System of Maryland, according to The Washington Post.

Alsobrooks helped fund the Prince George’s County Blueprint Schools program, which will invest $25 to $30 million per year in school construction projects for three decades. Hogan vetoed the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future project during his gubernatorial tenure, citing cost concerns. The Maryland legislature later overrode the veto.

Samantha Molter, a sophomore elementary education major at this university, said she observed a difference in Hogan’s stances since he decided to run for Senate.

Molter, who grew up in Maryland while Hogan was governor, described him as a “very Democratic-Republican” governor. She never felt the Republican Party’s ideals were forced onto Marylanders, she said.

“I have seen those [Republican ideals] come out a little bit more,” she said.

[Hundreds of UMD students gather for presidential debate watch parties across campus]

Hogan is an outspoken critic of Project 2025, a 180-day transition plan for a future Republican presidential administration according to an op-ed by Hogan in The Washington Post.

The plan calls to abolish the U.S. education department. Brown said he believes Hogan will have to “pick and choose” when to stay loyal to his party if elected to the Senate.

For many students at this university, including Molter, making higher education more affordable is an important issue in the Senate race.

Education should be accessible for all students, regardless of their demographics or financial status, Molter said.

Bridget Moran, a doctoral psychology student, said she believes undergraduate students should have access to more scholarships. Moran, who receives discounted education because she worked for this university, thinks undergraduate degrees are too expensive, she said.

Moran also said that she appreciates politicians such as Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, who had experience as a teacher before they became involved in politics.

“I would look for someone who hasn’t just been in the kind of government pipeline, but has actually been trying to do things from a grassroots level,” Moran said.

Isabelle Murphy, a sophomore elementary education major, emphasized the importance of expanding programs that allow prospective teachers to attend college at a reduced rate.

“When kids aren’t going to schools that support them and influence them to want to go into the workforce, it can definitely be damaging,” she said.

Investing in public institutions and ensuring education is front and center in a senator’s agenda are also key, Murphy said.

Alsobrooks and Hogan are scheduled to debate on Oct. 10 in Owings Mills.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated that Angela Alsobrooks has a son in college. Alsobrooks has a daughter who attends college. This story has been updated.