A leading Republican Senate candidate promised in an ad that he would not always vote with his Republican colleagues if elected, which could irritate his party’s leadership.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who was very popular during his two terms in the now solidly Democratic state, stated in a television ad that “in the Senate, the Republicans can’t count on my vote, but neither can the Democrats.” . ‘
‘If they want my vote, they’ll have to do what’s right for Maryland, not a political party. “That’s exactly what I did as governor, and that’s exactly the kind of senator I will be,” Hogan said.
The brazen declaration that he would be thinking for himself and his constituents above the wishes of the Senate GOP could lead to a showdown with the Republican leadership team if he wins.
But for now, leaders are backing his bid as they work to win back the majority, including his promise to be a “different” kind of politician.
Former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan promised in a recent television ad that he would not always vote with Republicans if elected to the Senate.
“Governor Hogan is a different type of politician, and his independent brand is what earned him historic labor approvals among Marylanders,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Tate Mitchell told DailyMail.com.
“He has made it clear that he will do what he believes is right to serve the people of Maryland.”
Hogan’s team also believes they are singing the right tune to woo Maryland voters.
“The message of this ad should surprise no one,” campaign spokesperson Blake Kernen told DailyMail.com.
“For eight years, Governor Hogan put Maryland first and prioritized issues that are important to Maryland over partisan politics or partisan talking points.”
“He will be the same independent leader in the United States Senate.”
In the ad, the Marylander appears to be taking a page from outgoing Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin’s playbook by breaking away from the Republican establishment.
The West Virginian repeatedly broke with his Democratic party during his tenure in the upper house, siding with Republicans on expanding American energy production and reducing environmental protections, which are popular positions in his state. .
Although despite the harsh words against Hogan, the conference still sees it as one of the best ways to regain control of the Senate chamber, where the GOP needs to add at least two seats to take power.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., (center), flanked by other Republican leaders (left to right), Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., John Thune, R.N.D., and Shelley Moore Capito, RW. V., have repeatedly stated that they are working to secure a Republican majority in the Senate in November.
Sen. Joe Manchin, DW.V., frequently broke with his liberal colleagues to support the interests of West Virginians, something Hogan promises to do for Maryland voters.
Currently, there are more Republicans in the chamber than Democrats (49 to 48), but there are three independent lawmakers who almost always side with the liberals.
And the GOP hopes to guide Hogan to bolster its desired “red wave” in November, as the former governor remains hugely popular in Maryland.
Hogan first won his seat as governor of Maryland in 2014, running as a moderate.
He was the state’s first Republican governor in decades and left office with a staggering 77 percent approval rating, according to local surveys.
After being impeached, Democrat Wes Moore won the governorship.
Now, Hogan faces a tough fight against Democratic Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks, an influential Prince George’s County executive who has become a pillar of the liberal county that borders Washington, DC.
That showdown could end Republicans’ hopes of regaining control of the Senate, as recent polls indicate Alsobrooks maintains a commanding lead in polls six months before the November elections.
A survey from May 9, The Hill/Emerson found that Alsobrooks leads Hogan by 10 points, 48 to 38.
Former President Donald Trump did not mince his words when attacking Hogan. The two have had a public feud since Trump was last in office.
To further complicate matters, Hogan proudly proclaimed in 2020 that he did not vote for former President Donald Trump and instead wrote in a vote for former President Ronald Reagan.
Hogan’s moderate approach earned him the scorn of the former president, who called the moderate a RINO (Republican in Name Only), angering some of Maryland’s conservative voters for the Senate candidate.
Additionally, Hogan has stated that he would again avoid voting for Trump in 2024, deepening his feud with the Republican Party leader.
But this will be the first time Hogan and Trump are on the same ticket, and it remains to be seen how that will complicate the popular former governor’s Senate bid.
