Maryland voters decisively defeated Donald Trump-endorsed Larry Hogan. Despite his persistent claims of disinterest in a Senate run, Hogan scrambled to rebrand himself as a moderate in the lead-up to the election. His defeat shows that Marylanders were not fooled by Hogan’s facade. His history of aligning with anti-abortion extremists, vetoing expanding abortion access, and praising Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices confirmed that he would’ve been a reliable vote for Trump’s MAGA agenda in the Senate.
“Larry Hogan clearly didn’t grasp that voters weren’t going to accept him as just another rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda, including a national abortion ban,” said American Bridge spokesperson Nico Delgado. “Maryland voters saw right through Hogan’s last-minute moderate makeover; they remember him as the governor who used the position to enrich himself, ignored their calls for abortion rights, and attacked teachers’ unions.”
See some of the stories that led to Hogan’s defeat:
- Time: Exclusive: Larry Hogan Approved Millions for His Firm’s Listed Clients as Governor
- Axios: “I didn’t want to have it”: Hogan responds to Trump endorsement
- American Journal News: Hogan’s unclear Social Security position could decide Maryland Senate race
See below for the lowlights that contributed to Hogan’s loss:
- Hogan called himself “pro-life” and refused to support codifying Roe or defending IVF.
- Hogan was endorsed by Donald Trump, who said “I’d like to see him [Hogan] win.”
- Hogan vetoed a bill to broaden abortion access in Maryland by allowing medical professionals other than physicians to perform them.
- Hogan vetoed a bill that would’ve given Maryland workers up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Hogan was endorsed by the NRA and opposed Maryland’s assault weapons ban.
- Hogan’s book was full of falsehoods, errors and racist dog whistles that demonized and villainized Baltimore and Freddie Gray.
- Hogan canceled the Baltimore Red Line, which was described as continuing structural racism, and caused the Purple Line to be several years late and millions of dollars over budget. Hogan said he would continue to oppose the Red Line in the Senate.
- Hogan called the teachers’ union officials “union thugs” and withheld $140 million in education funding that would’ve positively impacted Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.
- Hogan was recruited by Mitch McConnell and right wing megadonors such as Harlan Crow — famously Clarence Thomas’ friend/wallet — have donated to Hogan’s Senate bid.
- Hogan supports Trump’s tax cuts for the rich, which would create a higher tax bill for more than a half million Maryland residents.
- Hogan has repeatedly flirted with the idea of cutting Social Security and Medicare, and was the co-chair of No Labels, which supported raising the retirement age.
- Hogan hosted fundraisers with anti-abortion extremist Republicans like Rick Santorum, Brian Kemp, and John Boehner.
- Hogan accepted more than $120,000 from oil and gas interests that want to stop the transition to more renewable energy.
- Hogan abused his position as governor and made millions by awarding affordable housing grants to listed clients of his real estate firm, from which he did not divest.
Published: Nov 5, 2024