Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George's County executive who made control of the U.S. Senate front-and-center in her campaign, has defeated Republican Larry Hogan in the Maryland Senate race, per AP.

Why it matters: The blue state had an unusually pricey and competitive race thanks to Hogan, a well-liked former GOP governor who distanced himself from former President Trump.

Alsobrooks will be Maryland's first Black senator.

The big picture: Alsobrooks campaigned on supporting abortion rights and defending Democrats' narrow Senate majority, positioning herself as a senator who would fight "MAGA extremists."

Since 2019, she has led one of the most affluent majority Black counties in the U.S., a mix of suburbs bordering D.C. and rural land.

Hogan came up short despite courting Democrats and independents by promising to "stop the partisan BS" in Congress.

Follow the money: Republicans and Democrats poured money into the race.

As of mid-October, more than $65 million had been spent on the general election by both sides, according to political ad tracker AdImpact.

Between the lines: Even though Alsobrooks was steadily polling ahead of Hogan, his favorability numbers held up across all demographics — including Black people, women and independents.

The intrigue: She won despite last-minute scrutiny for improperly claiming tax breaks on two properties, including one in D.C.