Maryland Democrats Pour Funds Into Henson's Contested Senate Race
Maryland Democratic leaders are spending heavily to back Sen. Shaneka Henson's bid to become the first Black senator elected from Anne Arundel County, amid a contentious general election fight with Republican Jessica Haire. The Maryland Democratic Senate Caucus Committee reported nearly $488,000 in in-kind contributions to Henson's campaign over the past two months, while Gov. Wes Moore and other party leaders have publicly rallied behind her. Haire has focused her campaign on Henson's missed votes and a 2024 legislative ethics committee letter urging Henson to apologize over funding requests tied to a religious organization. The race has also exposed Democratic splits over Henson's more moderate record on abortion and LGBTQ+ issues, including her 2022 vote against legislation expanding Maryland Medicaid coverage for abortion procedures.