Internet divided after former governor Larry Hogan launches last minute Maryland Senate bid

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan made a surprise announcement on Friday that he will be running for the US Senate, giving Republicans a formidable contender in a state that has been dominated by Democrats for 37 years.

The 67-year-old, a moderate who had considered a presidential bid now brings a unique perspective to the Senate bid.

Larry Hogan says he's running for Senate to 'fix our nation's broken politics'

Hogan gained national recognition for his willingness to criticize former President Donald Trump during his tenure as governor.

In January, he stepped down from his recent leadership of 'No Labels', a third-party movement.

In a video release announcing his Senate campaign, Hogan said, "My fellow Marylanders: you know me. For eight years, we proved that the toxic politics that divide our nation need not divide our state.”

He added that he has decided to run for the position "not to serve one party, but to try to be part of the solution: to fix our nation’s broken politics and fight for Maryland."

"That is what I did as your governor and it’s exactly how I’ll serve you in the United States Senate," Hogan stated. 

Larry Hogan previously expressed confidence he could win if he runs for Senate

The former two-term governor's decision to run for Senate comes two years after he rebuffed pressure from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans to enter the Senate race against Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

However, Hogan who confirmed in 2022 that he would not for Senate expressed at the time that he is confident he could win.

"But just because you can win a race, doesn’t mean that’s the job you should do if your heart’s not in it. And I just didn’t see myself being a US senator,” Hogan said at the time.

Due to the retirement of Senator Ben Cardin, The former Maryland governor who left office in 2023, after eight years of serving will be running for an open seat.

Hogan announced his Senate candidacy just hours before the filing deadline, according to CNN.

In March 2023, he stated that he would not challenge the former president for the GOP’s White House nomination.

Internet has mixed feelings about Larry Hogan's Senate bid

Following Hogan's Senate bid announcement, netizens expressed mixed feelings over the former governor's surprising decision.

"Thank you, Governor Hogan! You'll be a great Senator!" a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter) and another user wrote, "Having you serve as a Senator is much better than trying to run for President. MD needs you to represent us!"

"Loved you as governor but can’t have the senate in the hands of Republicans," one user opined and another tweeted, "Then don’t run as a Republican and run as an independent. If you do run as a Republican then you are serving one party."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.