Former Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican from Maryland, revealed on Monday that he was motivated to enter the Maryland Senate race by former President Donald Trump’s remarks about the Senate’s failed border bill.
“It’s why I decided to run for the Senate, actually,” Hogan stated.
“I had never given any consideration to this race. I said 100 times, I didn’t aspire to become a senator. I didn’t need a job,” Hogan told MSNBC in downtown Washington, D.C.
“I wasn’t looking for another title, but three weeks ago on a Wednesday night, when I saw a real solution to secure the border and provide funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan — something that most of the Republican senators had said was, all those things were important, and they were told to vote against what they believed in — it made me frustrated and angry enough to say, I think I’m gonna go down there and try to do something about this,” Hogan continued.
In early February, Republicans blocked the proposed border bill, which included security aid for Ukraine and Taiwan.
Many have suggested it was largely influenced by a post by Trump on Truth Social when he stated, “Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done. This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party.”
When asked if he was surprised by the Republicans lack of support for Ukraine, Hogan stated that he doesn’t understand the “new strain of isolationism in the Republican Party.”
In February, Hogan announced that he would be running for Senate in Maryland in a bid to take the seat of the retiring Ben Cardin. Previously, Hogan was floated as a possible name to run for president under the “No Labels” ticket. Hogan achieved a rare feat in deep blue Maryland having been elected twice as governor.
Maryland has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1980.
