UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Maryland Senate GOP candidate Larry Hogan is putting some serious distance between himself and former President Donald Trump. Like a 10-foot pole type of distance.
Of course, Hogan has to do that in order to win in a deep blue state like Maryland. But even this tactic might not be enough to push the popular former governor to victory in November.
While the race has become more competitive than usual, Hogan is still battling major headwinds from the top of the ticket. Trump lost the state by more than 30 points in 2020, while Vice President Kamala Harris has no doubt reenergized the Democratic Party since becoming the presumptive nominee.
Asked how the Democratic shakeup changes the contours of his own race, Hogan said it was still too early to know. “I’m sure it’s going to make a difference in some way, but we’re not focused on what’s going to happen,” Hogan told us after a meeting with a local ironworkers union Thursday.
But Hogan acknowledged that he’s still the underdog — especially as Democrats try to nationalize the race. Here’s more:
Hogan is facing off against Prince George County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, one of two Black women running for the Senate this cycle. To prevail in November, Hogan will need to capture most Republicans and independents, plus a good chunk of Democrats willing to split the ticket.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise Hogan has presented himself as an independent-minded candidate who won’t be a rubber stamp for his party. Just consider this:
— Hogan condemned Trump’s racial and sexist attacks on Harris, as well as vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) dig at “childless cat ladies.”
“I’m very disappointed by it. What we really need to do is focus on the issues,” Hogan told us. “I have biracial grandkids, and we should never be focusing on race or gender or making fun of people or calling them names.”
— The former governor congratulated Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on being selected as Harris’ running mate. The pair worked together when Hogan was in the governor’s mansion.
— Hogan, who now calls himself “pro-choice,” has promised to support legislation to codify Roe v. Wade.
— Hogan has vowed not to vote for Trump or Harris in November, saying he’ll likely write in a symbolic candidate instead.
— After Trump appeared to endorse him, Hogan quickly rejected the offer of support. “We didn’t ask for the endorsement, we didn’t want the endorsement,” he told us.
— Following Trump’s Thursday press conference, where the former president whitewashed the events of Jan. 6, Hogan posted on X that it “was not peaceful” and “must never happen again.”
Interestingly, Hogan recently cut an ad spotlighting the late former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who infamously drew Trump’s ire for sinking legislation to repeal Obamacare.
In our interview, Hogan said he views himself in the mold of McCain or the now-Independent Sen. Joe Machin (W.Va.), who had massive sway over the Democratic agenda. “I really do see that kind of a role,” Hogan told us. “I can be a key vote and a key voice for trying to actually put things together and get things done.”
If Hogan does land in the Senate, it would be a major coup for Republicans that could determine the balance of power. But it’s also clear GOP leaders aren’t always going to be able to count on his vote.
— Melanie Zanona
