Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maryland, is under fire for improperly taking advantage of tax breaks she did not qualify for on properties she owned in Washington, DC, and Maryland.
Property records and tax bills reveal that Alsobrooks claimed homestead tax exemptions meant for primary residences on properties that were not her main homes. She also wrongly claimed a senior citizens’ tax break on her Washington property, despite not qualifying for it personally.
Alsobrooks saved thousands of dollars in taxes over the years by misusing these tax breaks. Her campaign has stated that she was unaware of the issue and is working to rectify it with the relevant authorities.
While Alsobrooks has faced criticism for these actions, her campaign points out that she has advocated for local tax relief measures in the past, opposing property tax increases during the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting property tax credits for eligible elderly residents.
Alsobrooks, who currently serves as the county executive in Prince George’s County, has had a successful political career, becoming the first woman elected as state’s attorney from the county in 2010 and the first woman county executive in 2018.
Despite facing a well-funded opponent in the Democratic primary, Alsobrooks emerged victorious and is now facing Republican Larry Hogan, the former Maryland governor, in the race for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Ben Cardin.
The controversy surrounding Alsobrooks’ use of tax exemptions has brought attention to the issue of politicians improperly benefiting from tax breaks, a problem that has plagued candidates from both parties in the past.
As the election approaches, Alsobrooks continues to campaign on a platform of advocating for a fairer tax system and criticizing tax breaks for the wealthiest taxpayers, aiming to become the first Black woman elected to the Senate from Maryland.
