Former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan endorsed Nikki Haley for the GOP presidential nomination Sunday on the eve of the Iowa caucuses.
Mr. Hogan, a fierce opponent to frontrunner Donald Trump and a supporter of former Republican candidate and ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, said Ms. Haley gives the party the best chance of beating President Biden in the general election.
“She’s 17 points ahead of Joe Biden, and it’s a toss-up with Trump and Biden, and [Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis] is losing,” Mr. Hogan said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “So, yes, I think it’s time for the party to get behind Nikki Haley.”
He added: “I believe that Nikki Haley is the strongest chance for us to put forth our best possible candidate for November.”
The endorsement from such an outspoken opponent of Mr. Trump has the potential to turn off some GOP voters and give a last-minute boost to Mr. DeSantis, who has trailed Ms. Haley in recent polls.
Mr. Hogan recently reignited rumors of him potentially launching a third-party presidential bid on a unity ticket with a Democrat backed by No Labels after he stepped down from the centrist political group’s leadership.
The speculation was unintentional, he said, and denied that he has any White House ambitions.
“It kind of created a whole lot of speculation. I didn’t mean to do that,” Mr. Hogan said. “I’m focused on trying to nominate the strongest possible Republican we can, which is why I’m urging everyone to get behind Nikki Haley.”
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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