Maryland ex-Governor Hogan running for US Senate

FILE PHOTO: Maryland then-Governor Larry Hogan speaks at a “Politics and Eggs” forum at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., October 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced a campaign for the U.S. Senate on Friday, with the Republican seeking to replace retiring Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.

Hogan, who served eight years as governor ending last year, is considered a moderate in a party that has moved rightward. He opted against a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination while speaking out against Donald Trump’s candidacy.

Hogan said in a video on social media he would “stand up to both parties, fight for Maryland, and fix our nation’s broken politics.”

“I don’t come from the performative art school of politics,” Hogan said. “I’ll work with anyone who wants to do the people’s business.”

Democrats currently hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, but Republicans believe they have a good chance of wresting control in the Nov. 5 elections, with Democrats looking to defend multiple seats in Republican-leaning states.

Hogan is popular in Maryland, a traditionally Democratic-leaning state, and his entry into the race could boost Republicans in the race to succeed Cardin.

Democrats seeking the party’s Senate race nomination include U.S. Representative David Trone and Maryland local politician Angela Alsobrooks.

(Reporting by Paul Grant; editing by Rami Ayyub and Jonathan Oatis)