In a significant political development, Larry Hogan, the former two-term Republican governor of Maryland, has clinched the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate, securing his victory shortly after the polls closed. The Associated Press called the race for Hogan just over 30 minutes after voting ended at 8 p.m. ET. His win sets the stage for a closely-watched general election that could play a crucial role in determining whether Republicans can reclaim the Senate majority this November.
Addressing a crowd of supporters in a hotel ballroom in Maryland’s capital, Hogan expressed confidence and readiness to campaign for the broader interests of Maryland and the nation. “They said the Hogan brand of politics was dead. Once again, we proved them wrong tonight,” he declared, marking the beginning of his campaign for the general election.
The seat Hogan is contesting will become vacant as the longtime Democratic Senator Ben Cardin is retiring. This has opened up a fiercely competitive race, with Democrats eager to maintain their slender majority in the Senate.
On the Democratic side, the primary has been a heated battle between Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Trone, a wealthy businessman and the co-founder of Total Wine and More, has poured over $50 million of his personal wealth into his campaign. He has positioned himself as the candidate most capable of defeating Hogan, emphasizing the high stakes of the election in his campaign advertisements.
Alsobrooks, leading one of Maryland’s most populous counties, has garnered substantial support from the state’s Democratic leaders, including endorsements from the current Governor Wes Moore and other prominent officials. In her campaign, she has focused on her readiness to work for the people, countering claims from her opponent about her lack of experience.
The contest in Maryland is particularly significant this year as Democrats defend 23 of the 34 Senate seats that are up for election, including in several states that lean heavily Republican. This makes Maryland a critical battleground where Democrats can ill afford a loss.
Hogan, who has been successful in Maryland’s gubernatorial elections, faces a challenging campaign ahead in a state that has not elected a Republican senator in nearly 40 years. In a recent interview, Hogan acknowledged the difficulty of his Senate bid, admitting, “It’s much more difficult effort than anything I’ve done before. It’s almost never happened. I’m an underdog. No question about that. And that’s why we’re working hard.”
However, there is one thing he does have on his side. When he was governor he was immensely popular.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has already begun to challenge Hogan’s candidacy, releasing statements and advertisements highlighting his Republican affiliation and arguing that his election could lead to a Senate controlled by Republicans who might support conservative policies not favored in Maryland.
This race has the Democrats very, very nervous.
