Larry Hogan is sitting in the catbird seat in the Maryland Senate race, according to a new survey showing the former governor’s brand of Republicanism is a good fit in the deep-blue state and underscores the challenges Democrats face defending the upper chamber this fall.
A Washington Post-Unversity of Maryland survey of registered voters released Wednesday showed Mr. Hogan has double-digit leads over his possible Democratic rivals: Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Mr. Hogan leads Mr. Trone 49% to 37% and Ms. Alsobrooks 50% to 36%.
At the same time, voters said they would rather have Democrats control the Senate, highlighting the unique political space Mr. Hogan has carved out in Maryland.
Indeed, Mr. Hogan is well-liked, with 64% of voters saying they have a favorable view of him compared with 33% for Mr. Trone and 26% for Ms. Alsobrooks.
Mr. Hogan served as governor from 2015 to 2023.
SEE ALSO: Anxious Democrats struggle to put Larry Hogan in a MAGA box
Known as a happy warrior, Mr. Hogan kept most of his focus on pocketbook issues and, for the most part, steered clear of divisive culture wars that energize Democrats.
He is one of the few Republicans willing to air his criticism of Donald Trump and warn that the former president has had a corrosive effect on the GOP and the national political debate.
Mr. Hogan left office in good standing with most Maryland voters despite falling out of favor with the Trump wing of the Republican Party.
Mr. Hogan flirted with a presidential bid but decided against running after recognizing the struggle he could have pulling GOP primary voters away from Mr. Trump.
He also initially signaled little interest in running for the Senate.
But to the delight of national Republicans, he switched gears in February, giving the GOP a star recruit and expanding the battleground map in a year in which Democrats were already playing defense.
The poll had a 3.3% margin of error.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.