Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, is under fire for allegedly misusing tax breaks intended for low-income senior citizens, saving thousands of dollars on properties she owned in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. A CNN investigation revealed that Alsobrooks claimed a homestead tax exemption for over a decade on two properties, which is legally meant only for primary residences, violating local and state tax relief regulations.
Records indicate that Alsobrooks improperly claimed a senior citizens’ tax break on her Washington property, significantly reducing her tax bill. Although she never qualified for this break herself, her grandparents, who previously owned the home, likely did. Between 2005 and 2017, she saved nearly $14,000 in taxes on her Washington property by utilizing exemptions meant for primary residents and low-income seniors, despite not residing there. Public records show that since 1995, Alsobrooks has been registered to vote in Prince George’s County, where she serves as the county executive, overseeing budget and tax collection.
Connor Lounsbury, a senior adviser for Alsobrooks, stated that she was unaware of the tax issues and that her legal team is currently addressing the situation with both Washington and Prince George’s County to rectify the errors. Lounsbury emphasized that after her grandmother moved out, Alsobrooks was responsible for the mortgage until the property was sold in 2018 and claimed she was unaware of any tax credits associated with the home.
In 2005, Alsobrooks purchased a townhouse in Prince George’s County, applying for and receiving a homestead exemption in 2008. However, it appears that she eventually began renting out the property while still receiving the exemption intended for primary residents. County records for her townhouse tax bill only date back to fiscal year 2020, but it is estimated that the exemption saved her at least $2,600 since then.
Alsobrooks also acquired another property in an equestrian community in Prince George’s County in 2014, which she lists as her primary residence on her mortgage. However, she did not transfer the homestead exemption from her previous home, leading to higher taxes. Lounsbury explained that the lack of transfer resulted in no financial gain for Alsobrooks, who actually ended up paying more in taxes than she would have if the credit had been applied.
Now in a key Senate race, Alsobrooks faces Republican Larry Hogan, the former Maryland governor, as she seeks to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Ben Cardin. Traditionally, a Democratic nominee from deep-blue Maryland would be favored in the general election. However, Hogan’s candidacy has introduced competitive dynamics, making the race crucial for Democrats aiming to maintain their Senate majority.
Improper claims of tax exemptions have historically plagued politicians, highlighting a pattern in political campaigns. For instance, CNN previously reported that California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff faced scrutiny for simultaneously claiming primary residences in both California and Maryland. Similarly, Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker was reported to have received a tax break on his Texas home while running for office in Georgia.
While Alsobrooks’ campaign has drawn attention to Hogan’s own past tax break claims—specifically a 2016 break on his Maryland home while residing in the governor’s mansion—she remains focused on addressing her situation. Notably, governors and federal employees are exempt from certain residency requirements when it comes to tax breaks.
Homestead tax exemptions are designed to protect a portion of a home’s value from property taxes and apply strictly to primary residences. Alsobrooks obtained her D.C. property after her grandmother transferred the deed in late 2003, but she failed to update the exemption status after her grandmother vacated the home.
As the race intensifies, Alsobrooks continues to advocate for tax relief for the community. In 2020, she opposed a county measure that would have increased property taxes to offset revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she signed legislation to provide eligible elderly residents with a property tax credit lasting up to five years.
Alsobrooks has built a significant political career, becoming the first woman elected as state’s attorney in Prince George’s County in 2010, and later the first woman to serve as county executive in 2018. Despite facing a formidable opponent in the recent Democratic primary—Rep. David Trone, who outspent her significantly—Alsobrooks won decisively, positioning herself as a candidate who could make history as the first Black woman elected to the Senate from Maryland.
As she campaigns against Hogan, Alsobrooks is emphasizing the stakes of the election, arguing that a Republican victory could jeopardize Democratic control of the Senate and its ability to influence key policies and judicial confirmations. On the campaign trail, she has advocated for a “fairer tax system,” denouncing tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.
“Too many Americans are struggling to get by and are forced to live paycheck to paycheck,” Alsobrooks stated on social media earlier this year. “As your senator, I will fight for a fairer tax system that doesn’t deliver handouts to the top 1%.” As the November election approaches, the scrutiny surrounding her tax records may impact her campaign as she navigates these challenges while striving to resonate with voters.
