Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Announces Run for U.S. Senate

In a surprising move, former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has officially announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, throwing his hat into the ring just hours before the filing deadline. Hogan, a moderate Republican, made his intentions known in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Friday. He expressed his commitment to standing up to both parties, fighting for Maryland, and addressing the broken state of politics in the nation.

Hogan's decision to run for Senate stems from his belief that the leadership in Washington has become divided and ineffective, with party politics overshadowing the needs of the people. Drawing on the legacy of his father, Maryland Congressman Larry Hogan Sr., who was the first Republican to support the impeachment of President Nixon, Hogan emphasized the importance of putting country over party.

During his two terms as Maryland's governor, Hogan demonstrated his ability to overcome challenges and find common ground, resulting in a record surplus, balanced budgets, and eight consecutive years of tax cuts. He pointed out that Maryland is a state known for its middle temperament and emphasized the need for leaders who prioritize common decency and common sense.

Hogan's decision comes as a major shift in Maryland's political landscape, with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat, announcing his retirement in May 2023. Maryland hasn't had a Republican senator in nearly four decades, making Hogan's candidacy significant for the state. Several Republicans have already filed to enter the GOP primary, but Hogan is widely considered the frontrunner due to his previous experience as governor.

Political analysts agree that Hogan's entrance into the Senate race will have a significant impact on both parties leading up to the general election. While Hogan had previously rebuffed the idea of running for Senate, his sudden change of heart has surprised many. However, experts caution that running for Senate requires a different approach than running for governor, as national issues and social matters become more prominent.

Hogan's tenure as Maryland governor was marked by historic achievements, including being only the second Republican governor to win reelection in the predominantly Democratic state. He focused on pocketbook issues and tackled challenges such as the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray. Despite being diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2015, Hogan continued to work while receiving treatment and has been in remission since 2015.

The race for Maryland's Senate seat in 2024 will undoubtedly be an intriguing one, with Hogan's entry shifting the dynamics for both Republicans and Democrats. As he embarks on this new political journey, Hogan aims to be a voice for common sense and moderation, working to fix the broken state of politics in the nation.