Maryland Republican Senate hopeful Larry Hogan’s unwanted endorsement from former President Donald Trump has reemerged days before the election as a political headache for the never-Trumper.
Hogan privately told donors in a leaked video call that “Donald Trump actually endorsed me” when prompted about the two’s rival relationship, saying that he emphasizes it to “hardcore Trump folks” who might be offput by his more centrist views and opposition to the GOP presidential nominee.
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The Hogan campaign denounced the leaked tape, which the former two-term governor says is being used to misconstrue his words.
“This 11th-hour, desperate stunt is exactly what’s wrong with politics,” a Hogan spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “As Governor Hogan said in the same answer, he will always be his own independent voice, even if it angers some members of his party.”
Hogan has long condemned Trump’s endorsement publicly and characterized it as a “half-hearted” seal of approval that could drag him down among vital split-ticket voters in deep-blue Maryland.
Democrats are projecting Hogan’s words as an “I-told-you-so” moment that his image of a GOP maverick who despises Trump and was twice-elected governor of a liberal state is nothing more than a façade.
Hogan trails his Democratic opponent, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, in the polls. But his stature as a centrist Republican willing to criticize or cut deals with either party has made the contest far more competitive than it otherwise would be.
“I think the video speaks for itself,” Alsobrooks told the Washington Examiner of Hogan’s private comments. “And he can speak for himself.”
Other Democrats and aligned advocacy groups weren’t as reserved.
Karen Darkes, executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, said Hogan’s donor call was proof “we know he’s proud of” Trump’s endorsement, support that Hogan continues to reject publicly.
“Hogan is bankrolled by Project 2025 authors [and] GOP megadonors like Harlan Crow and billionaires who support Trump,” Darkes said. “Extremist Republicans like [Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)] and [former presidential candidate and ex-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)] to [Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA)] are lining up to hold fundraisers to benefit Hogan’s campaign.”
Kevin Curtis, executive director of Natural Resources Defense Council’s political arm, said Hogan would “act out what he apparently said … which is he loves Donald Trump’s endorsement and appreciates it.”
Hogan downplayed his Trump endorsement remarks in an interview with Washington metropolitan-area radio station WTOP.
“Politics as usual, with people cutting things out of context and trying to make a big deal out of it. Nothing changed whatsoever,” he said. “I just said it on CNN. … I don’t accept Trump’s endorsement, that I’m not supporting Trump and not voting for Trump. My position is very clear.”
Hogan also vehemently denounced the apparent election meddling of a dark money super PAC in the closing stretch of the race that’s believed to be aligned with national Democrats.
The Save Western Culture PAC, which is targeting the Maryland and Texas Senate races, as well as “toss-up” House districts, is propping up Libertarian Mike Scott in an attempt to siphon conservative votes from Hogan. Robocalls and mailers funded by the group portray Hogan as a liberal and knock him for saying President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Scott has denied any involvement. Such controversial campaign tactics have been utilized by political groups and parties in past election cycles, particularly by Democrats.
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Hogan denounced the strategy as “shocking and deeply disappointing.”
“Lying to voters while asking for their trust is a slap in the face to our most sacred democratic processes,” he said in a statement. “This smear campaign based on lies is more of the same tacky political gamesmanship everyone hates — Marylanders deserve better.”
