Rep. David Trone’s (D-Md. ) primary race in Maryland for U.S. Senate has barely begun, but Rep. New campaign finance reports reveal that David Trone (D-Md.) has outspent his opponents by a significant margin.

Trone, the co-owner and multi-billion dollar alcoholic beverage retailer Total Wine & More has so far spent $4.8 Million on the 2024 Race, which began May 1 when Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., launched it. He announced that he would be retiring at the end his term.

In a year of presidential elections, when control of the Senate will be on the line, the rare open seat should attract cash and attention. The focus in Maryland’s deep blue is on the fiercely competitive Democratic field where each candidate pitches themselves as a progressive leader.

Trone, who has served three terms in Congress, has highlighted both his executive experience as well as his track record of working across party lines. Many political observers believe that Trone is competing with Prince George’s County’s Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks. Alsobrooks, the leader of a wealthy suburb in D.C. with a majority of Black residents, emphasizes her background of being a working mother, executive, and career prosecutor to argue that the Senate is in need of more people like her.

Trone has spent millions on his House campaigns. He has borrowed $9.7million since April, and has raised $108,000 more. This leaves him with $5.3million in his account. Trone’s campaign sent out mails statewide, and broadcast biographical TV ads.

The congressman, who has served three terms, pledged to rely solely on his own funds and those of small donors. He also promised not to accept money from political action committees or lobbyists. He reported that a total of $84,500 was raised by donors who were bundled together by an AIPAC website, which is a pro Israel lobbying group.

Trone stated in a press release that “we are showing Marylanders, from Oakland to Ocean City, and everywhere in-between, that I will be a senator who listens, understands their issues, and be ready to make a change in their lives on the first day.”

The amount spent is almost three times more than what his closest rival raised in the seven-week period of her campaign. This overshadows an otherwise aggressive fundraising haul.

According to reports on campaign finance, Alsobrooks (D), who is a Democrat, received $1.7 million and spent $392,000. This left $1.3 million in his bank.

Dave Chase, the campaign manager for Alsobrooks, described the haul as proof of a geographically wide and early support. He said that the haul was evidence of early and geographically widespread support.

In a memo sent out this month, Chase stated that her seven week campaign was an unprecedented pace for similar campaigns in Maryland.

Political observers have said that while the race is still open, the focus has been on the battle between Trone, who self-funds his campaign, and Alsobrooks. Their candidacy offers Maryland its first Black Senator and the third Black woman in the country’s chamber.

Will Jawando, a Montgomery County Council member (D-At Large), who’s candidacy has the potential to produce the first Black Senator in Maryland, raised $519,000 over two months. According to his campaign finance reports, he spent about a third — or $200,000 — of the money and still had $314,000 in his account by June 30.

Will Jawando, a Montgomery council member, announces his run for Senate

Jawando, in a recent statement, said that the race was just beginning. He described himself as a true blue progressive and acknowledged that there may be other candidates who are more wealthy and have establishment support.

The deadline for submitting the financial reports for the second half of the year was midnight on Saturday. As of Saturday afternoon, neither Republican Robin Ficker nor Democrat Steven Henry Seuferer had posted their reports.

Cardin is retiring after a career spanning a half century in public service, including three terms as senate president and state and federal governments.