- Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is operating for Senate regardless of trashing the thought final 12 months.
- “Not a lot gets done in the Senate,” Hogan stated in May 2023, reaffirming his resolution to not run.
- He additionally stated that different former governors like him “aren’t really thrilled with the job.”
Just 9 months in the past, former Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland did not have particularly good issues to say in regards to the US Senate.
Republicans had been hoping to get him to run not simply this 12 months, however in the course of the 2022 cycle.
But Hogan constantly turned his GOP associates down, telling NewsNation in May 2023 that being a senator is “just not something I’ve ever aspired to do.”
“You’re one of 100 people arguing all day,” Hogan stated on the time. “Not a lot gets done in the Senate, and most former governors that I know that go into the Senate aren’t really thrilled with the job.”
But Hogan’s had an obvious change of coronary heart.
I’m operating for the United States Senate – to not serve one social gathering – however to face as much as each events, struggle for Maryland, and repair our nation’s damaged politics. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s precisely how I’ll serve Maryland within the Senate. Let’s get again to work. pic.twitter.com/d0TuZchAtN
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 9, 2024
On Friday, Hogan introduced he’ll enter the 2024 Maryland Senate race, pitting him in opposition to the eventual Democratic nominee in a state that he simply received in 2014 and 2018.
Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, the chairman of Senate Republicans’ marketing campaign arm, rapidly issued an announcement celebrating Hogan’s resolution.
“Governor Hogan is a great leader for Maryland, and that’s why he remains overwhelmingly popular in the state,” stated Daines. “We look forward to welcoming him to the United States Senate.”
Yet regardless of his prior statewide victories, Hogan is more likely to face an uphill battle — which he acknowledged himself final 12 months.
“It’s a tough race, and in a presidential year, it makes it even more difficult,” Hogan instructed NewsNation.
While his help for fiscally conservative however socially liberal insurance policies made him palatable to Democratic voters within the deep-blue state, including another GOP vote within the Senate is a special query, which Senate Democrats’ marketing campaign arm rapidly famous.
“A vote for Republican Larry Hogan is a vote to make Mitch McConnell Majority Leader and turn the Senate over to Republicans so they can pass a national abortion ban,” stated Maeve Coyle, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “Democrats have won every statewide federal election in Maryland for 44 years and 2024 will be no different.”
But Hogan’s resolution continues to be a blow to Democrats. At the very least, they’re going to should spend more cash to carry the previous governor off whereas the social gathering seeks to defend more durable seats in Ohio and Montana.
If Hogan did in some way make it to the Senate, he’d possible minimize an attention-grabbing determine: He’s a staunch opponent of former President Donald Trump, and based mostly on his expertise as governor, would possible be part of the ranks of the extra dealmaking-inclined Republicans within the chamber.
But these have gotten an more and more uncommon breed. Both Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia are usually not searching for reelection, and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is unlikely to win if she chooses to hunt re-election.
If Hogan have been to be elected, he’d possible be part of a Senate GOP that is more and more dominant by voices aligned with Trump, and would certainly possible be “one of 100 people arguing all day.”