Former President Donald Trump criticized Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on the eve of Tuesday’s Maryland GOP primary, calling him a RINO because he implemented statewide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hogan, who has hit the two-term limit, has endorsed Kelly Schulz for governor, and Trump has endorsed Dan Cox.
Trump released a statement about the Maryland primary:
“Maryland, tomorrow is a big day. Get out and vote for Dan Cox for Governor … Get rid of Shutdown RINO Larry Hogan who is trying to get another RINO into office, Kelly Schulz.”
Trump concluded:
“Dan Cox will be a great Governor … Tomorrow is the day. Get out and vote!”
Cox has previously butted heads with Hogan during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically about the state’s pandemic stay-at-home order, as he filed a lawsuit and filed a resolution of impeachment. He accused the governor of violating the rights of residents.
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Schulz, the complete opposite of Cox, served as a longtime ally of Hogan, serving as the governor’s Labor and Commerce secretary. She previously served as a state delegate.
Former Maryland state delegate Robin Ficker is also running in the GOP gubernatorial primary.
Hogan has hinted at running for President, as he is termed out, and thinks he can win in Maryland, among some other states that Trump lost in 2020, such as Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other swing states.
Appearing with Chuck Todd on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hogan said:
“I’ve been talking about this for years now, and I felt like I was on a lifeboat all by myself. But now we need a bigger boat because more and more people are speaking out every day … I said Trump’s influence on the party was going to diminish over time. It hasn’t happened rapidly, but it has diminished dramatically … It’s just taking longer than it should.”
Hogan believes he has a path in the primary among moderate Republicans, conservatives, and those who want an alternative option. It remains to be seen how the 2024 field will shape up, but there is a big contrast between Trump and Hogan. The debates will be worth the watch if they both decide to run in 2024.
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