By Oliver Mack, Nicole Pilsbury and Irit Skulnik

Newly-elected U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) celebrated her victory Tuesday night at her election watch party in College Park with supporters and state politicians.

Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s county executive, defeated former Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) in the race to fill the state’s open Senate seat. She earned more than 52 percent as of 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

Community members, advocates and campaign staff gathered at The Hotel at the University of Maryland to watch the election results and congratulate Alsobrooks on her win. Alsobrooks will be the state’s first Black senator.

Gov. Wes Moore, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) all spoke during the event, among others.

After speeches from lawmakers and an introduction from her 19-year-old daughter, Alsobrooks took the stage to address her supporters.

“We stand tonight united as one Maryland,” Alsobrooks told the crowd. “I will make your care my concern, your hope my focus and your dreams my work in the days and years to come.”

[Angela Alsobrooks wins Maryland US Senate race]

Before Alsobrooks took the stage, Moore addressed the audience, praising her campaign and the representation she will bring to the Senate.

“When I look at Angela, I don’t just see a great leader. I see my daughter, I see my wife, I see my sisters, I see my mom, I see all those who came before us,” Moore said.

Erin Horter, an education and labor market researcher from Catonsville, Maryland, attended the watch party and told The Diamondback that Alsobrooks’ new role will further the policy agendas of minorities and women in Maryland through reaching out to her constituents.

Pamela Ruiz, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, said she supported Alsobrooks because it’s important to have a woman represent her in the Senate.

Van Hollen spoke before Moore about the “fight to protect our democracy.”

“Tonight Maryland sent an unmistakable, clear, overwhelming message to our country. We’re not going back,” Van Hollen said.

Van Hollen said he looks forward to working with Alsobrooks and believes she will be a “great” senator.

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One audience member, Malkia Lydia, a documentary filmmaker from Washington, D.C., said she supports Alsobrooks’ plans to protect reproductive freedom. Alsobrooks plans to co-sponsor the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would protect access to abortion, and stand up against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, according to her campaign website.

“It’s just unfathomable to me that we have young people who have fewer rights than our foremothers did in terms of reproductive health,” Lydia said.

During her speech, Alsobrooks emphasized the importance of reproductive rights, a more equitable economy and a stronger democracy.

Jack Blackfelt, a Silver Spring, Maryland, resident, said Alsobrooks is a “rising star” that is connected to her community.

Alsobrooks vowed to represent all Marylanders, including those who didn’t vote for her.

“In America, I still believe there is no us against them,” Alsobrooks said near the end of her speech. “There is only us.”