After dominating the competition in Tuesday’s Maryland Republican primary, former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has wasted no time appealing to Democrats in the blue state.
The Republican Senate candidate has launched “Democrats for Hogan,” an initiative that will seek to siphon voters away from Maryland Senate Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks. Former state Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-MD) helped Hogan make the announcement.
“I’ve been a lifelong Democrat, and as a Democrat, I’m excited to vote and support and work for Larry Hogan for the United States Senate. He is exactly the leader we need,” Zirkin said.
“I encourage all of my fellow Democrats to really review the record of Gov. Hogan, to look at things like fracking and criminal justice reform and cyberbullying, and the way that he was able to hold the line on taxes and still invest in things that are important like education in the Chesapeake Bay. Maybe most importantly, for those of you who believe, like me, from both parties, but I’m talking to the Democrats right now, that the hyperpartisanship in Washington is not what we should expect from our leaders,” Zirkin added.Â
“That we should expect them to work together. … And if you believe that like I do, then I would encourage you to come out and support Larry Hogan for the United States Senate,” he added.
Hogan also spent some time appealing to Democrats in his announcement, pointing to his “proven track record of reaching across the aisle.”
“To my Democratic and Independent friends, you know me and you know my proven track record of reaching across the aisle to find common ground for the common good,” Hogan posted on X. “You know that I have the courage to put people over politics and to put country over party. I will continue to be the same strong independent leader for Maryland that I always have been.”
“If you are completely fed up with the divisiveness and dysfunction and want a strong, independent leader who will fight to clean up the mess in Washington — then join us,” Hogan added.
Hogan appealed to Democrats before his 2018 gubernatorial reelection.
However, Maryland Democrats poured plenty of energy into putting down Hogan before he tried to appeal to them. Two Democratic heavyweights in the state, Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) and outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), have already declared Alsobrooks Maryland’s next senator.
Hogan is likely appealing to supporters of Rep. David Trone (D-MD) after his primary loss to Alsobrooks Tuesday night. Trone is considered the more centrist of the two. The Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index, which measures how willing politicians are to work across the aisle, ranked him 27th out of 436 eligible House members, just under an “outstanding” rating.Â
Trone received at least 188,000 votes in Tuesday night’s primary, falling to Alsobrooks 54% to 41.9%, even after outspending her 10 to 1. For Hogan to win the typically blue Maryland, he will likely have to invigorate some form of Democratic base for himself, and it makes sense for him to start there.
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The Washington Examiner contacted Hogan’s campaign to ask if it is trying to court Trone’s supporters.
“The Governor’s Democrats for Hogan coalition will be open to all Democrats, including Trone Democrats,” a Hogan spokesperson said.
