Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, known for his vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump, has declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. Hogan made his announcement through a video shared on social media, just hours before the filing deadline for the race.
Drawing on his father’s precedent of supporting the impeachment of then-Republican President Richard Nixon, Hogan expressed disappointment in the current dearth of “leadership” and “willingness to put country over party.” Leveraging his gubernatorial tenure, he appealed to voters in Maryland, a predominantly blue state where he has previously achieved electoral success.
“My fellow Marylanders, you know me. For eight years we proved that the toxic politics that divide our nation need not divide our state,” Hogan said.
“One party alone can’t fix it,” he continued. “We desperately need leaders willing to stand up to both parties, leaders who appreciate that not one of us has all the answers or all the power.”
Hogan’s entry instantly positions him as the leading contender for the Republican nomination, potentially the sole GOP candidate capable of mounting a competitive challenge to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Ben Cardin in Maryland.
While Democratic Governor Wes Moore secured victory in 2022 with over 64% of the vote, his opponent hailed from the party’s right wing. In contrast, Hogan clinched two terms in the predominantly blue state, notably winning by a 12-point margin in 2018, just two years after Democrat Hillary Clinton’s sizable 27-point victory in Maryland’s presidential race.
However, Hogan faces an uphill battle as a Republican contender, especially with a formidable lineup of prominent Democrats vying for the Senate seat.
Congressman David Trone of Maryland has already invested over $19 million in advertising for his campaign, boasting endorsements from numerous House colleagues, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Trone’s competitors include Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who has faced challenges in the early stages of the primary. Despite this, she has garnered support from Governor Moore, State Senate President Bill Ferguson, State Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones, as well as Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia.
Trone, Alsobrooks, and the Democratic Senate campaign arm have issued statements emphasizing the potential ramifications of a Republican victory in the Senate race, portraying it as a move toward national limitations on abortion rights.
In 2022, Democratic lawmakers successfully overturned Hogan’s veto of legislation broadening the scope of individuals authorized to perform abortions.
Hogan, in a 2023 interview with the Washington Examiner, articulated his stance, stating, “I am for states’ rights and the ability to have reasonable restrictions on abortion,” while also expressing support for exceptions to abortion restrictions.
