In a surprising turn of events, Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland, has publicly rejected former President Donald Trump's endorsement. Hogan's decision to rebuff Trump's support has created waves within the Republican Party.

Hogan's spokesperson, Michael Ricci, stated during an interview with Fox News that the former governor has consistently made it clear that he is not endorsing Donald Trump, just as he had done in 2016 and 2020. Hogan previously wrote in March that the GOP could not afford to have Trump as the presidential nominee.

Despite Hogan's vocal opposition, Trump expressed his desire to see Hogan win in the upcoming Senate race, stating that he believes Hogan has a good chance of winning and that the party needs to secure the majority. When asked if he was endorsing Hogan, Trump replied, "Essentially, I would be endorsing, yeah."

This rejection comes in the wake of Hogan's previous actions that rattled Trump's team and allies. Hogan had urged Americans to "respect the verdict and the legal process" during Trump's hush-money trial last month, which resulted in a conviction. This move clearly did not sit well with Trump's daughter-in-law, Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, who stated that Hogan does not deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party or in America.

Chris LaCivita, a co-manager of Trump's 2024 campaign, even sent a menacing message to Hogan on social media, declaring that he had just ended his own campaign.

Hogan, who had served two terms as governor in the predominantly blue state of Maryland and had previously stated that he would not vote for Trump, is now running against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks for the seat of retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D).

It is important to note that Trump lost Maryland by a significant margin of over 30 points in the 2020 election, which may pose a challenge for Republican candidates in the state. However, Trump's endorsement could potentially sway voters who believe in his presidential potential, even if it goes against Hogan's own stance.

The rejection of Trump's endorsement by a prominent Republican candidate like Hogan highlights the ongoing divisions within the party, as well as the influence and consequences that come with aligning oneself with or opposing the former president. Hogan's decision may have long-lasting implications for his campaign and the dynamics within the Republican Party itself.