On Thursday, Maryland GOP Senate candidate Larry Hogan made it clear that he has no interest in seeking or accepting former President Donald Trump's endorsement in the upcoming race. This statement comes after Trump expressed his desire to see Hogan win, to which Hogan responded by distancing himself from the endorsement.
Hogan emphasized that he did not seek Trump's endorsement and does not view it as beneficial for his campaign, especially in a state where Trump lost by a significant margin. The former two-term governor, known for his high approval ratings in the predominantly blue state, has been critical of Trump and is working to separate himself from the national GOP.
Democrats, who are aiming to defend the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, see Trump's endorsement as an opportunity to tie Hogan to Trump's agenda. Despite Trump's indication of support for Hogan, the candidate's campaign reiterated Hogan's stance of not backing Trump, as seen in the previous elections.
Trump's endorsement came as a surprise to Hogan, considering the recent criticisms directed at him by Trump's allies. Hogan described Trump's endorsement as 'weak' and downplayed its impact on the race, highlighting the sudden shift in Trump's tone towards him.
Overall, Hogan's rejection of Trump's endorsement underscores his efforts to maintain independence from the former president and appeal to a broader base of voters in Maryland.
