Staff Reports
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, had a big win in the Maryland Republican primary on Tuesday. Without wasting any time, Hogan turned his attention to Democrats in the blue state. He launched a new initiative called “Democrats for Hogan” in an effort to gain support from Democrats for his Senate campaign. Former state Senator Bobby Zirkin, who is a Democrat, joined Hogan in making the announcement, expressing his support for the Republican candidate.
After dominating the competition in Tuesday's Maryland Republican primary, former @GovLarryHogan has wasted no time appealing to Democrats in the blue state. https://t.co/xTbXIUWY3X
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 16, 2024
Zirkin, who has been a lifelong Democrat, urged his fellow Democrats to consider Hogan’s record of accomplishments, including issues like fracking, criminal justice reform, and education. He emphasized the need for leaders who can work together across party lines, and he encouraged Democrats to rally behind Hogan for the United States Senate.
Hogan also appealed directly to Democratic and Independent voters, highlighting his track record of reaching across the aisle and putting the common good ahead of politics. He called for an end to the divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington and positioned himself as a strong, independent leader who can clean up the mess in the nation’s capital.
Maryland Democrats, however, have thrown their support behind Angela Alsobrooks as the next senator for the state, despite Hogan’s efforts to appeal to them. Governor Wes Moore and outgoing Senator Ben Cardin have already endorsed Alsobrooks. Hogan seems to be targeting supporters of Congressman David Trone, a Democrat who lost in the primary, to bolster his own base of Democratic voters.
With the launch of the “Democrats for Hogan” coalition, Hogan’s campaign aims to attract Democratic supporters, including those who previously supported Trone. The spokesperson for Hogan’s campaign confirmed that the initiative would be open to all Democrats, including supporters of Trone.
Hogan’s strategic move to court Democratic voters reflects his desire to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the upcoming Senate election in the typically blue state of Maryland.
