David Trone defends Total Wine empire, while small businesses protest
Maryland Senate hopeful has invested $79 million in his own campaigns since 2016
Rep. David Trone, the Democratic frontrunner in the race for Maryland’s open Senate seat, is throwing his weight behind a bill that could earn him millions of dollars by crushing mom-and-pop liquor stores across the state.
Total Wine & More, the nationwide $2.2 billion chain Trone owns with his brother Robert, is lobbying for a bill that would let individuals in Maryland hold up to four liquor licenses. Currently, the state allows just one license per person. Trone’s small-business competitors say the measure, if passed, would enable Total Wine to dominate the market with its outsized buying power and potentially run them out of business.
Trone holds the liquor license for Total Wine’s Towson, Md., location, which earned him up to $5 million in 2022, financial disclosures show. Robert Trone holds the license to the state’s other Total Wine location.
Trone, who earned $42 million from Total Wine and other investments in 2022, has used his wealth to fuel his political career. He poured over $56 million into congressional campaigns between 2016 and 2022 and loaned an additional $23 million to his 2023 Senate campaign. Trone’s wealth could prove a sticking point in a tight race against former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R.), who took a swipe at Trone during a Monday visit to an independent liquor store.
Stopped by Mills Fine Wine and Spirits in downtown Annapolis. Right now, politicians in Annapolis are pushing a bill that would benefit one billionaire at the expense of small business owners across the state like Jerry and Jen Donahoe. Our small business owners deserve leaders… pic.twitter.com/B6vUrXle2t
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 26, 2024
“Stopped by Mills Fine Wine and Spirits in downtown Annapolis,” Hogan posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Right now, politicians in Annapolis are pushing a bill that would benefit one billionaire at the expense of small business owners across the state like Jerry and Jen Donahoe. Our small business owners deserve leaders who will stand with them. That’s what I did as governor, and that’s exactly what I will do in the Senate.”
Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association lobbyist Steven Wise warned during a Feb. 19 hearing of the Maryland House’s Economic Matters Committee that “this bill does have a pretty significant impact on the industry.”
“Total Wine, which is asking you for this bill,” Wise said, “they’re [a] very good, very good, very smart business.”
Wise urged legislators to oppose the bill, saying it would enable Total Wine to access volume discounts at a level that would be “damaging to the smaller independent retailer[s]” his organization represents.
Trone contributed $2,000 to the bill’s primary sponsor, state delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo (D.), in December. Total Wine lobbyist Ashlie Bagwell testified in support of the bill during the Feb. 19 House hearing, saying it would bring Maryland’s laws in line with those of neighboring states.
Though Trone says he relinquished day-to-day control over Total Wine after he won his first term in the House in 2018, he hasn’t shied away from putting his thumb on the scale for Total Wine while serving in Congress. In 2022, Trone poured $1 million in support of a Colorado ballot initiative that would have loosened liquor licensing laws in the state. The measure failed on a 2-1 margin, Maryland Matters reported.
The Trone campaign did not return a request for comment.
What criticisms have been raised about Trone’s substantial investments in his own campaigns, and how do these criticisms relate to the power of money in politics?
Ders who will fight for them, not billionaires looking to line their own pockets.”
Trone, however, defends the proposed bill and insists that it will promote competition and consumer choice in the liquor industry. He argues that allowing individuals to hold multiple licenses will lead to increased variety and lower prices for customers. Trone also emphasizes that Total Wine’s success is a result of hard work, customer satisfaction, and providing a wide selection of products at affordable prices.
Trone’s substantial investments in his own campaigns have raised eyebrows and drawn criticism, with some questioning the influence that his wealth can have in the political arena. Critics argue that it allows Trone to buy his way into political power and potentially manipulate policies in his favor. They highlight the significant amount of money he has poured into his campaigns, pointing out that it gives him an unfair advantage over his competitors.
On the other hand, Trone’s supporters argue that his financial success is a testament to his business acumen and his ability to create jobs and stimulate the economy. They contend that Trone’s experience as a successful entrepreneur makes him well-equipped to understand the needs of small businesses and promote policies that will benefit them.
The race for Maryland’s open Senate seat between Trone and Hogan is expected to be fiercely competitive. Trone’s wealth will undoubtedly be a topic of debate and contention as the campaign progresses. Critics will likely continue to question the motivations behind his financial investments in his own campaigns and whether they align with the best interests of the citizens of Maryland.
Ultimately, the decision will be in the hands of the voters to determine which candidate they believe will best represent their needs and concerns. The outcome of the election will not only shape Maryland’s political landscape but also serve as a reflection of the power of money in politics and the willingness of voters to support candidates who are self-funded.
As the race unfolds, it will be crucial for voters to carefully consider the implications of Trone’s investments and the potential impact on small businesses in the state. They must weigh the benefits of increased competition and consumer choice against the concerns of monopolistic practices and the potential disruption to local liquor stores.
The battle for Maryland’s open Senate seat is sure to be closely watched and may serve as a barometer for the role of personal wealth in politics. It will test the electorate’s faith in candidates who finance their own campaigns and raise important questions about the influence of money in shaping policy decisions.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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