Anti-Trump Larry Hogan announces last-minute U.S. Senate bid

Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who for years disavowed any interest in serving in the U.S. Senate, has had a change of heart and announced a last-minute bid for Maryland's vacant Senate seat on Friday afternoon — hours before the filing deadline for candidates to enter the May 14 primary.

In an announcement video that lasted 2 minutes and 48 seconds, with Hogan directly addressing the camera, he cast his decision to run as a crusade to bring common sense and courtesy to the broken politics of Capitol Hill.

"Like a vast majority of Marylanders, I’m completely fed up with politics as usual," Hogan said. "Politicians in Washington seem more interested in arguing than in getting anything done for the people they represent. Enough is enough. We can do so much better — but not if we keep electing the same kind of partisan politicians. Look, I don’t come from the performative art school of politics. I come from the get to work and get things done school. And I’ll work with anyone who wants to work on the people’s business."

I am running for the United States Senate – not to serve one party – but to stand up to both parties, fight for Maryland, and fix our nation's broken politics. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I'll serve Maryland in the Senate. Let’s get back to work. pic.twitter.com/d0TuZchAtN
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 9, 2024

Hogan quietly filed at the Maryland State Board of Elections Office in Annapolis on Friday morning, Maryland State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis confirmed.

Hogan's decision instantly transforms the race to replace departing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D) — a seat the Democrats felt confident they would hold in November.

The leading contenders in the Democratic primary are Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th).

Trone and Alsobrooks put out statements shortly after Hogan's announcement, each revealing an aspect of the attacks Democrats are likely to hurl at Hogan throughout the campaign.

Trone's sought to tie the popular former governor to former President Donald Trump, the near-certain GOP presidential nominee, and to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who could be back in charge of the Senate if Republicans pick up just one or two seats this November, depending on the outcome of the White House election.

"Larry Hogan’s candidacy is nothing but a desperate attempt to return Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump to power and give them the deciding vote to ban abortion nationwide, suppress votes across the country, and give massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans," Trone said. "Marylanders are tired of empty promises from career politicians like Larry Hogan."

Alsobrooks also leaned into the abortion issue in her statement.

"We know what's at stake in this election — our fundamental freedoms over our bodies," she said. "When I join the Democratic Majority, I'll be a leader in fighting to defend those freedoms because I'm the only person in this race — on either side — who's never compromised on that issue."

Without directly saying so, Alsobrooks also suggested that unlike Trone and Hogan, two wealthy businessmen, she is the only candidate "who understands the challenges Marylanders face."

A change of heart

Hogan's announcement stunned Maryland political leaders on both sides of the aisle.

Over the last two years, the former governor has repeatedly rejected the idea of running for a seat on Capitol Hill.

Hogan's video offered no insight into his change of mind.

"The former governor never showed a great deal of interest in the legislature previously," said state Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). "I'm surprised he's interested in throwing his hat in the ring for U.S. Senate."

Michael Ricci, a spokesman for the newly minted Hogan Senate campaign, said Hogan has no media availability planned yet for Friday or the weekend.

This breaking news story will be updated.