As the 2024 election season kicks into full gear, a number of shake-ups are happening across the country.
According to the Washington Examiner, the latest twist came out of Maryland after a Democrat running to fill the retiring Sen. Ben Cardin's (D-MD) seat suddenly announced he was bowing out of the competition.
The Examiner noted, "Will Jawando, a Montgomery County Council member and the first candidate to jump into the senatorial race back in May, said he didn't see a path to victory and was bowing out of the competition."
Jawando bowing out of the highly competitive race means that it's now down to a two-person showdown.
He released a video statement explaining his reasoning for dropping out of the race.
"After a lot of thought and prayer and late nights with my wife, Michelle, and our family, I've decided that it's time to take a step back from this race," Jawando said in his announcement.
He added, "Not because we believe any less in the cause that started it. The fights we talked about in this campaign are, and always will be, the fights of my life. But after thinking long and hard about this race in particular, I frankly no longer see a path for myself to victory."
An important announcement about my U.S. Senate campaign. pic.twitter.com/UPZMD2JZdE
— Will Jawando (@willjawando) October 20, 2023
The Maryland Democrat later released a longer written statement.
— Will Jawando (@willjawando) October 20, 2023
The Examiner described the remaining two candidates vying for the Senate seat:
Jawando's exit likely means the top two candidates to replace Cardin are Rep. David Trone (D-MD) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Trone, a wealthy white businessman and founder of Total Wine & More, faces hard competition against Alsobrooks, who is black and hoping to make history as the first person of color elected to the Senate from Maryland.
Jawando's reason for dropping out sounds legit, given that he raised only a fraction of the money that his opponents did. Trone tapped into his own wealth and has already spent some $10 million on his campaign.
Alsobrooks, according to FCC filings, has raised over $1.5 million for her campaign, and hopes to make history as the state's first Black Maryland senator.
Both candidates have already scooped several high-profile endorsements in their bid to claim the seat. Only time will tell who crosses the finish line.
