CNN
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Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will win the Maryland Senate race, CNN predicts, defeating former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, whose candidacy has made the race to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin competitive in this otherwise deep blue state .

Alsobrooks, the Prince George's County executive, will be only the fourth Black woman elected to the Senate, after Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware won earlier Tuesday, and the first Black senator to represent Maryland.

Her victory is a relief for Democrats, who faced a daunting Senate landscape before this race. Since most of the contests are in states that former President Donald Trump either won or narrowly lost four years ago, Democrats did not expect to win in a state that President Joe Biden won by more than 30 points has to compete.

Democrats' central argument against Hogan, who left office after two terms with high approval ratings, was that he would be a voice for Republicans in the Senate – particularly on the issue of abortion.

Hogan tried to portray himself as an independent voice unaffiliated with that party. In his first general election campaign ad, he said he would support codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law. And he rejected Trump's support after the former president said he would like to see him win the state.

But the Democrats have effectively nationalized the race. According to a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll, Alsobrooks increased her profile over the summer and fall, gaining among voters who said they care about Senate Democrats.

Alsbrooks, a mentee of Vice President Kamala Harris, also benefited from her rise to the top of the list of candidates, which increased enthusiasm for the election of black women. While its history-making potential didn't become a key message along the way, it resonated widely in a state where black voters — and especially black women — are a crucial part of the electorate. Alsobrook's home in Prince George's County is home to one of the largest middle-class black populations in the country.

Alsobrooks' history-making potential was also influential for some voters in the primary, as she suffered a stunning primary defeat to Rep. David Trone, who broke the record for self-funding a Senate primary campaign. The co-owner of Total Wine & More spent more than $60 million of his own money but fell behind by more than 10 points. The Democratic Party quickly coalesced around Alsobrooks, who already had the support of most of the state's congressional delegation.

With her victory in the general election, a woman will now join the state's all-male congressional delegation.