Former Maryland governor Hogan is a US Senate candidate
Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland, declared on Friday that he will be seeking the US Senate in this year, giving Republicans a formidable opponent in their attempt to flip a seat in a deeply blue state.
In order to fight for Maryland, stand up to both parties, and reform our country’s dysfunctional political system, I am running for the United States Senate, not to support one party. I acted in this manner while serving as governor of Maryland, and I will continue to do so in the Senate. In a message sent to X, Hogan wrote, Let’s get back to work.
Though Hogan is a well-liked former governor with a moderate record, his willingness to criticize fellow Republican Donald Trump both while he was in office and during his current presidential campaign is likely what has made him even more well-known. With incumbents already on the defensive in numerous states with a Republican leaning, Democrats holding a one-seat edge, and open contests, Hogan’s involvement could possibly upend not only the Maryland campaign but the entire fight for control of the Senate.
Josh Holmes, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s top political advisor, wrote on X, I would pay a significant amount for a ticket to watch Chuck Schumer’s face right now.
McConnell and other prominent Republicans begged Hogan to run against Sen. Chris Van Hellen twice a year ago. They made the case to him that, similar to West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, a Republican, he could be a great power in a closely divided Senate and act as a moderate.
Hogan continued to accept the meetings at that time, despite seeming to stray from accepting; at one point, he even declared in an interview with CBS News, “I have no interest whatsoever in running for the United States Senate.
The significant Democratic advantages in Maryland would have made the race difficult even in what was predicted to be a very good general election year for Republicans in 2022. After passing, Hogan completed his tenure as governor and turned his attention to a possible presidential bid in 2024.
To succeed retiring Senator Ben Cardin, two less well-known Democrats are vying in this year’s primary: Rep. David Trine and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. However, Maryland’s Democratic advantage remains, and those figures will probably be even more pronounced in a year with a presidential race. The last Republican senator from Maryland was elected in 1980. In 2010, despite a national Republican party sweep, the Democratic nominee for the Senate received 62% of the vote in Maryland.
