Hogan Says Frustration with Trump Motivated Senate Run

Former Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican from Maryland, revealed on Monday that former President Donald Trump’s remarks about the Senate’s failed border bill motivated him to join the Maryland Senate race.

“It’s the reason why I decided to run for the Senate,” Hogan stated.

“I had never even considered entering this race. I had mentioned numerous times that I had no interest in becoming a senator. I wasn’t in need of a job.” Hogan told MSNBC in downtown Washington, D.C.

“I wasn’t aiming for another position, but three weeks ago on a Wednesday night, when I saw a concrete solution to secure the border and provide funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan — something that most Republican senators acknowledged as important, but were instructed to vote against their beliefs — it sparked enough frustration and anger in me to say, I think I’m going to go down there and try to address this,” Hogan continued.

In early February, Republicans blocked the proposed border bill, which included security aid for Ukraine and Taiwan.

Many believe that Trump’s post on Truth Social played a significant role in influencing this decision, where he stated, “Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done. This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party.”

When asked about the lack of Republican support for Ukraine, Hogan expressed his confusion over the “new strain of isolationism in the Republican Party.”

In February, Hogan announced his candidacy for the Senate in Maryland, aiming to fill the seat of the retiring Ben Cardin. Previously, Hogan was considered as a potential presidential candidate under the “No Labels” ticket. Hogan made history in deeply blue Maryland by being elected governor twice.

Maryland has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1980.