After suffering its first loss of the season on Thursday, No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball needed someone to take control of Sunday’s game.
Maryland
Election aftermath: Maryland's winners and losers – Maryland Matters
It’s all over but the shouting.
The sheer scale of former President Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election was breathtaking — and will still require a lot of soul-searching and contemplation in a lot of corners of this country.
Here in Maryland, Election Day didn’t produce too many surprises. But still, there were consequential developments, and performances, and political trends, that are worth talking about.
So without further ado, here’s our list of winners and losers. It’s by no means complete. And we apologize in advance for any sins of commission or omission.
Winner: Angela Alsobrooks
Another history-making political star is born in Maryland, and she’s headed to the U.S. Senate. Even her vanquished opponent, former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), said her election was something to celebrate — as is the fact that there will be two Black women serving together in the Senate for the first time in history.
After a shaky start, the Prince George’s County executive ran a disciplined, focused campaign and prosecuted the case against Hogan — who left office with mind-bending job approval ratings — almost flawlessly. She revealed just enough of herself, as a hardworking, conscientious public servant from humble beginnings, to connect with the voters.
But she won’t be going to Capitol Hill with the mission she envisioned. Instead of serving in a Democratic Senate, with a Democratic president who was a friend and mentor, Alsobrooks will be heading into hostile territory, dominated by Republicans. Her predecessor, outgoing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D), managed to be productive under GOP majorities. That now becomes Alsobrooks’ challenge.
Winner: Sheila O’Connell
The veteran Democratic strategist has now guided both of Maryland’s U.S. senators — Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen (D), who is about to become the state’s senior senator — to victory. Not bad…
Winner: Diversity in the state’s congressional delegation
Maryland has had zero women in its congressional delegation for the past eight years, but with Alsobrooks’ victory and Democratic state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth’s win in the 3rd Congressional District puts two women in the state’s 10-member Capitol Hill contingent. Assuming April McClain Delaney (D) hangs on in the 6th District, that will make three of 10.
The record for women in Maryland’s delegation? Four. From 1987-1993, the state delegation included Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) and Reps. Helen Delich Bentley (R-2nd), Beverly Byron (D-6th) and Connie Morella (R-8th).
With Alsobrooks’ election, the state will also have more Black members of Congress than ever before, as she joins Reps. Glenn Ivey (D-4th) and Kweisi Mfume (D-7th). And her victory comes on the heels of Wes Moore’s election as governor and Anthony Brown’s election as state attorney general in 2022, a reminder that Black politicians are prospering as candidates for statewide office in Maryland.
Winner: Andy Harris
Maryland’s lone Republican member of Congress is a strong ally of President-elect Donald Trump and should see many of his priorities enacted — or initiatives that he hates blocked — in the next few years. Harris is currently the chair of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, whose ranks will grow in the next Congress. He’s rising in seniority. And the physician will invariably be considered for a high-ranking position in the Trump administration — most likely in the health care realm — if that’s something that interests him.
Loser: Neil Parrott
The third time does not appear to have been the charm for the Republican nominee in the 6th Congressional District, pending the count of the final mail-in ballots. Parrott is a canny guy, with a following, so his political career may not be over. But it seems highly unlikely that the GOP will want to nominate the ex-state lawmaker for this competitive congressional seat a fourth time.
The governors
Push: Larry Hogan
Sure, he lost his high-profile Senate bid to Alsobrooks. But face it, he never wanted to be in the Senate anyway, as he said repeatedly over the years.
Hogan ran a high-profile race that regularly attracted national media attention, not to mention tens of millions of dollars. He kept Democrats at home and largely off-balance, with the threat that he could flip a long-held Democratic seat, and made Maryland matter this election cycle. And even though he lost in part because Democrats did such a good job of tying him to national Republicans, he managed to largely keep his independent reputation intact — at least with the national media.
Hogan’s goal is always to be part of the political conversation. He’ll always be welcome on the cable chat shows, and invariably, there will be speculation that he might run for governor again in 2026. So … mission accomplished!
Push: Wes Moore
Our energetic governor was a coveted surrogate for the Harris-Walz ticket and other Democrats around the country, engendering good will among fellow officeholders, party donors and activists, and notice from the national pundit class. He’ll undoubtedly be discussed as a potential Democratic candidate for president in 2028.
But man, Trump’s victory and the likelihood of full Republican hegemony on Capitol Hill is a disaster for Moore’s policy priorities and many of Maryland’s federal funding imperatives, at a time when four senior members of Congress from Maryland are moving on. [Loser: Matthew Verghese, Moore’s director of federal relations and senior adviser. Sorry, Matt.] How does the state prepare and compensate?
And we wonder: Are Moore and his team ready for the additional and inevitable national scrutiny and expectations, especially when there are so many governing and funding challenges ahead? How does he balance the work that’s required at home with his presumed national ambitions? Where does he fit in the national conversation about the future of the Democratic Party? Who’s advising him on these matters?
Loser: Martin O’Malley
His term as commissioner of the Social Security Administration ends around the time Trump will reenter the White House in January, and there’s zero chance he’ll be reappointed, which means he’ll be out of a job then. Adding to the indignity, Baltimore City voters ignored his advice to vote against Question F, a ballot measure that will pave the way for the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor.
The resistance
Push: Jamie Raskin
Whether or not Democrats retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which may be a stretch at this point, Raskin will use his position as the top Democrat on the Oversight and Accountability Committee to serve as a counterweight to Trump and Republican excesses on a variety of fronts. Obviously being chair comes with real power, while being the ranking member at least provides a bully pulpit. We can only begin to imagine how bummed Raskin, who has spent the last several years defending freedom and the Constitution, must be feeling right now. But people will listen — even if they don’t hear.
Push: Anthony Brown
See Raskin, Jamie, above. Especially if Republicans have full control of the federal government, Democratic attorneys general like Brown could become the last line of defense against extreme Trump and Republican policies — a role Brown’s predecessor, Brian Frosh (D), performed well during Trump’s first term.
In a statement Wednesday, Brown acknowledged the challenges ahead and vowed to act against any federal actions that threaten Marylanders’ rights.
“No matter who sits in the White House, my dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of Maryland’s communities remains unwavering,” he said.
The question is, how many federal judges remain who will be receptive to the Democratic AGs’ arguments?
The rest
Winners: Ambitious Montgomery County politicians
Now that MoCo voters have effectively booted County Executive Marc Elrich (D) by imposing a two-term limit that prevents him from seeking reelection in 2026, umpteen ambitious Montgomery Democrats, most of whom serve on the county council, can begin mobilizing in earnest to try to replace him.
How many will run in the end? How many will share the same political bases and cut into each others’ base of support? Are there any outsiders who could make a viable run in the Democratic primary? How many candidates will agree to use the county’s robust public financing system, minimizing the influence of special interest money?
And could 2026 finally be the year that Montgomery County elects a woman as county executive? They’ve already done it in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Prince George’s and Wicomico counties, and in Baltimore City — but not in the jurisdiction that prides itself on being the most forward-looking and progressive in the state.
Meanwhile, Elrich could have the last laugh: He’s contemplating running for a county council at-large seat again — a position he held for three terms before being elected executive in 2018. We would not bet against him.
Winner: Brandon Scott
Although he never had to sweat the general election, Scott (D) on Tuesday became the first Baltimore mayor to be reelected since Martin O’Malley in 2003. Because he looks like a kid, and sometimes displays a teen’s edgy energy, Scott is often underestimated. He shouldn’t be.
Winner: Zeke Cohen
Another political reformer wins citywide office. Cohen (D) will take over as Baltimore City Council president in December. That’s not a bad thing.
Winner: Abortion rights
Seventy-four percent of state voters can’t be wrong.
Push: Prince George’s County
County residents, who often complain that they’re overlooked in the DMV, can and will take enormous pride in the election of Angela Alsobrooks as the state’s next U.S. senator. But Alsobrooks’ looming departure for greener political pastures comes at a potential cost to the county. For 14 years, even during crises like the pandemic, the county government had fairly stable and forward-looking leadership, after a major and deflating scandal — first under Rushern Baker (D), then under Alsobrooks (D).
Now the county enters a period of political transition and uncertainty, with even the method for picking Alsobrooks’ temporary successor not altogether clear. And many of the competent professionals who surrounded Alsobrooks in county government are likely to disburse.
Loser: The Washington Post
The newspaper was roundly criticized, and rightfully so, after failing to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time since the 1970s. So much for “Democracy Dies in Darkness.”
But even people who saw great import in the Post’s White House endorsements conceded that a minuscule number of readers, at most, could be influenced by what the editorial board said about presidential candidates.
Where the Post could be, and has been, influential is with endorsements in local races. And this year, the paper all but abdicated that responsibility. In fact, the only Maryland general election in which the editorial board weighed in was the U.S. Senate race, opting for Alsobrooks over Hogan, though it praised both.
The New York Times this year announced that it would no longer endorse candidates in local races, though it did endorse Kamala Harris for president. Is the Post moving out of the endorsement business altogether? That would be a diminishment of its power and civic duty.
Maryland
Chair of Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland to step down
(WBFF) — Del. Jheanelle Wilkins will step down from her role as Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland after being appointed the chair of a separate committee, according to a statement.
Wilkins had served as chair of the caucus since December 2022. She will assume the role of Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee after being appointed by new Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk
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“Her tenure marks a defining era for the Caucus, characterized by an intentional focus on the Caucus’ policy agenda, unwavering unity behind its purpose, and connection to the communities we serve,” the statement announcing the move read. “From the outset of her leadership, Chair Wilkins brought a vision that was both expansive and grounded, strengthening the Caucus internally while elevating its stature within the General Assembly and across the state.”
According to that statement, the Caucus championed over 40 bills and key budget items that passed across the three most recent legislative sessions. Those initiatives included:
- Addressing Black maternal health with several successful bills, including the Black Maternal Health Act of 2024.
- Expanding health insurance coverage for breast cancer, lung cancer, and biomarker testing.
- Addressing prescription drug affordability by working in coalition to pass the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, expanding the state’s drug affordability authority.
- Mandating a $750,000 Maryland Department of Health public education campaign to address cancer disparities.
- Expanding access to early detection of heart disease through calcium score testing.
- Securing the Second Look Act to address over-sentencing and overrepresentation of Black people in Maryland prisons.
- Passing the Maryland Reparations Commission, a historic step toward confronting and remedying the lasting harms of slavery and state-sanctioned discrimination.
- Reforming public safety and justice policy, including expungement reform, parole access for elderly and medically vulnerable individuals, creating a correctional ombudsman, reentry support for returning citizens, and ending unjust cannabis searches.
- Protecting and strengthening community schools and funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
- Improving public education by addressing chronic absenteeism, the Maryland teacher shortage, restorative practices in schools, and student loan debt.
- Championing HBCU funding and protecting HBCUs from program duplication.
- Delivering unprecedented state procurement reform and improving the Black business contracting landscape, including in the areas of forecasting, Board of Public Works transparency, extending the MBE program, and increasing the Small Business Reserve Program goal to 15%.
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Maryland’s General Assembly will convene for its next legislative session beginning on January 14.
Maryland
No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball outlasts Indiana, 82-67
Oluchi Okananwa did just that. She has been a strong producer all season, but took things to a new level against Indiana.
Okananwa’s career-high 34 points was enough to lead the Terps past Indiana, 82-67.
Maryland honored the 20th anniversary of its 2006 National Championship team Sunday. Okananwa proved herself on both sides of the ball in front of the program’s legends, and matched the highest scoring mark of the 2006 run. Crystal Langhorne scored 34 points in the Round of 32 against Baylor — they now sit tied for 12th most in a game in program history.
“It’s pretty cool to be in this atmosphere and to be able to interact with those same ladies, because the chasing goal that every single one of us are chasing as well,” Okananwa said. “To be able to honor that kind of gives us an extra fuel and extra boost of reminding us who we’re playing for.”
Her offense spoke for itself. She exceeded the highest scoring mark by a Terp this season, and most since Kaylene Smikle’s 36 points against Washington last season. Okananwa shot 12-of-22 from the field, 3-of-7 from deep and 7-of-9 from the free throw line.
That said, her defensive performance may’ve been more impressive. Okananwa guarded Shay Ciezki, who came into Sunday as the Big Ten leading scorer and averaged 26.6 points per game. But the Terps neutralized her effect, as Okananwa clamped her to 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
“As hard as [Okananwa] played with the assignment that she had on Shay [Ciezki] defensively, never took her foot off the gas defensively,” head coach Brenda Frese said.”Then to go and have another career high. She keeps doing that here in Maryland. I thought she was just really efficient in her scoring, which is what you need to be.”
Okananwa prevented Ciezki from even catching the ball on offense; her defense was at its best all season.
Besides Okananwa, the rest of Maryland’s core had a difficult night. Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu was the only other Terp in double figures. Ozzy-Momodu also had 15 rebounds, leading all other Terps by 10 on the glass.
“[Okananwa] is the fastest kid that I know we’ve never played against, and she did a great job tonight,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. “I thought we did a good job against the rest of the crew.”
Yarden Garzon faced her former team on Sunday, but didn’t have a great performance. Garzon scored eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, bested by Maryland’s other star transfer.
Maryland led for all but 34 seconds, but struggled to find momentum in the first half.
The Terps’ early lead wasn’t enough to keep the Hoosiers from staying competitive, as they went without a field goal for a four-minute stretch.
Despite trailing for most of the first half, Indiana shot 11-of-17 from the field. The Hoosiers didn’t attempt a field goal in the final 3:21 and didn’t make one in the final 6:22. The Hoosiers committed 16 turnovers in the first half, and it was why Indiana attempted such a low volume of shots.
Maryland drew fouls and forced turnovers — and yet they couldn’t take control of the game. Ultimately, that came down to its domination in every aspect not translating to shooting. It shot 13-of-34, an inefficient display on a high volume of shots.
The Terps failing to take advantage meant that although they forced 16 turnovers and drew 12 fouls, they only led by seven.
There were 21 total fouls in the first half, and head coach Brenda Frese was more animated towards the referees than usual.
Indiana’s foul trouble gave the Terps an advantage. Zania Socka-Nguemen hadn’t played since Nov. 28 and returned for the Hoosiers on Sunday. Her return was expected to give Indiana an advantage, but she committed four fouls in the first half.
The Terps found what they needed to start the second half — a 12-0 run. The Terps finally created the separation it needed in the first half. The Hoosiers attempted to battle back, as freshman forward Maya Makalusky caught fire with 20 points, shooting 6-of-13 from deep.
The Terps needed someone to take charge in order to get back on track. It found that in Okananwa’s efforts, as she led Maryland to its third Big Ten victory.
“The moment I got down here, especially with my offensive game, I was given a lot more freedom than I’ve had in my college career. With that, I’ve been able to mold it and see what my spots are offensively,” Okananwa said.
1. Ozzy-Momodu was strong down low. Besides Okananwa, Ozzy-Momodu was a strong force in Maryland’s win, posting a double-double. She accumulated a season-high 15 rebounds, bullying the Hoosiers down low. She scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. It was her best shooting night where she had six or more attempts and her second-highest scoring mark of the season.
“She’s an X-factor for us,” Frese said. “Twelve points, 15 boards. I thought she absolutely made the statement early for us on the glass. We’ve got to be able to have that kind of inside, outside presence.”
2. Forcing turnovers. The Terps forced 21 turnovers on Sunday, its second most in Big Ten play behind Monday’s win over Wisconsin. Okananwa had three steals and was very impactful in making the Hoosiers uncomfortable on offense. The Terps attempted 14 more shots, much to do with the amount of turnovers they forced.
“It’s hard to win games when you turn the ball over 21 times,” Moren said.
3. Honoring 2006. Sunday was filled with ceremonies and celebrations of the 20th anniversary of Maryland’s 2006 National Championship team. With 10 members of that team in attendance at Xfinity Center, the Terps showed out with a 15-point victory.
“It was just a really special weekend honoring our 2006 national championship team. I told our group in the locker room. What made this team so special was just how close they were,” Frese said.
Maryland
‘In contact with family’: Indian embassy on murder of Nikitha Godishala allegedly by ex-boyfriend in Maryland – The Times of India
The Indian embassy Sunday said it was in contact with the family of Nikitha Godishala who was found dead in her ex-boyfriend’s apartment in Maryland after remaining missing since December 31. The embassy also said they are following up on the matter with the local authorities, as the Howard County police suspect the ex-boyfriend who immediately flew to India. “The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities,” the embassy said. Nikitha was reported missing since December 31 and her friends put out messages on social media channels asking for help to find her. There was no update about her whereabouts until the Howard County police issued a statement revealing the details of the investigation so far.
Found dead with stab wounds, motive not clear
Police said they found Nikitha dead inside her ex-boyfriend’s apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Investigators believe that Nikitha was killed shortly after 7pm on December 31. But her body was found three days later on Jaury 3, when detectives got a search warrant at Nikitha’s ex-boyfriend’s apartment. While Nikitha was lying dead inside the apartment, her friends were looking for her. She was stabbed to death, preliminary reports suggested.
Ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma filed a complaint, fled to India
Nikitha’s ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma, who is the accused in the murder case, filed a missing persons complaint to the police on January 2. He told officers that he saw her last on December 31 at his apartment. On January 2, Sharma left the country on a flight to India. Police have obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and no motive has been determined.
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