Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he does not accept former President Donald Trump’s endorsement for Senate, clarifying his stance after a report said he was saying one thing in public and another in private.
Mr. Hogan, a Republican running behind Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in polling, said a CNN report about a private conversation did not provide the full context of how he felt about Mr. Trump’s endorsement. In the conversation with a donor, Mr. Hogan pointed out that Mr. Trump had endorsed him.
“I don’t accept Trump’s endorsement,” Mr. Hogan told WTOP in the campaign’s final days.
“I’m not supporting Trump and not voting for Trump. You know, my position is very clear,” he said. “The guy said something about Trump hating me, and I just said, ‘Actually, Trump endorsed me.’ That’s all there is to it. It didn’t change my position on that endorsement and there’s no story there whatsoever.”
Mr. Hogan is a frequent critic of Mr. Trump who is running on a platform of bipartisanship, emphasizing Republican agenda items like tax cuts while supporting access to abortion.
But Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Hogan in June, saying the open Maryland seat would be important to securing a GOP majority in the Senate.
The situation is difficult for Mr. Hogan. He is distancing himself from Mr. Trump while trying to reach Republican voters who might still support the former president.
Speaking to WTOP on Thursday, Mr. Hogan insisted he is doing “great” with Republicans.
“I think we’re over-performing by a lot, and actually doing better with Republicans than Donald Trump,” he said. “But we’re winning independents overwhelmingly by more than 20 points, and most of our focus right now is just convincing a handful of Democrats who voted for me twice and who still have a favorable opinion that I’m going to be the same strong independent leader I’ve always been.”
Mr. Hogan is trailing Ms. Alsobrooks, the county executive of Prince George’s County, by double digits in polling averages.
Mr. Hogan was a popular two-term governor in the deep-blue state, but Democrats are emphasizing basic math in the Senate, saying their voters cannot afford to cross party lines and allow a GOP majority to set the Senate agenda, confirm nominees, and hold committee gavels.
While Mr. Hogan grapples with Mr. Trump’s support, Ms. Alsobrooks embraces the Democrats’ heavy hitters.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, cut an ad supporting Ms. Alsobrooks and former President Barack Obama praised her in a recent phone-banking session.
“She has consistently looked out for and championed ordinary folk,” Mr. Obama said. “Are we going you do everything to make sure that she can continue to represent you?”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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