Staff Reports
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a successful Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, is now focused on winning a Senate seat for the GOP after his eight years as governor. Even though Maryland has twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, Hogan is determined to sway Democrats to his side.
Former Maryland @GovLarryHogan has had a successful political career as a Republican in heavily blue Maryland. He’s now tasked with flipping a senate seat in the state to the GOP after serving eight years as governor. https://t.co/XhJocu7kyf
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 28, 2024
Hogan has ramped up efforts to appeal to state Democrats, launching the “Democrats for Hogan” initiative and shifting his stance on abortion, now describing himself as “pro-choice” and promising to protect abortion rights if elected to the Senate. Although his position may differ from traditional Republican views, Hogan’s approach might help him appeal to more moderate voters.
In contrast to his Democratic opponent’s attacks, Hogan has chosen to congratulate his political rivals and has urged for respectful debates rather than engaging in divisive tactics. This centrist approach reflects his belief that politics should not be about total war, which he expressed in a social media post.
Moreover, Hogan’s adversarial relationship with former President Donald Trump may resonate with Maryland voters, who predominantly favored President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Despite the risk of alienating Trump supporters within the Republican party, Hogan remains strongly critical of politicians who prioritize attacking each other over serving the people.
During his tenure as governor, Hogan implemented policies that deviated from traditional Republican ideology, such as enforcing mask mandates and distancing himself from the National Rifle Association. His efforts garnered significant approval from Maryland Democrats and loyal GOP voters.
Ultimately, Hogan’s campaign for the Senate will test his ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters in Maryland, as he aims to secure the Senate seat for the Republican party in a largely blue state.
