I’ll get straight to the point: crime is out of control in our state.
I love Maryland and care deeply about everyone who calls it home. That’s why I cannot sit back while our communities deal with the devastating consequences of violent crime.
We need leaders who are serious about tackling crime, instead of playing politics.
Like many of you, I am frustrated with our politicians and sick of them focusing on everything but the issues that matter. Hardworking Marylanders are left to deal with issues like surging violent crime amid politicians’ constant partisan bickering, and we are all worse off for it.
It’s common sense–Marylanders deserve leaders who take crime seriously and care about their safety.
This should be obvious, but we have yet to see any real progress. The reality is that we’re headed in the wrong direction.
CBS reported that police are warning about a rise in crime near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This comes right after a 17-year-old was shot and killed there last month.
These aren’t just statistics. These are real lives, but politicians fail to take action.
We’ve got to stop demonizing and sabotaging the dedicated men and women that put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe.
While I was governor, I worked every day to ensure Marylanders were safe and our law enforcement officers and first responders had every resource they needed to do their jobs.
Just 89 days after I had been in office, the worst violence in 47 years erupted in Baltimore. I immediately took action by declaring a State of Emergency and sent 4,000 members of the National Guard and 1,000 additional police officers into the city.
We allowed for peaceful protests, but immediately stopped the violence and made clear violence and crime is ALWAYS unacceptable.
Baltimore City and all Maryland families deserve peace and safety in their communities. Politics can never come before public safety. That’s exactly how I served you as governor, and that is how I will serve you in the Senate.
When I launched my campaign for the U.S. Senate, I did so with a deep resolve to maintain the leadership style and principles that guided me during my eight years as governor.
Fifty years ago, my father, Maryland Congressman Larry Hogan Sr. made a tough decision. He became the first Republican to come out for the impeachment of President Nixon. He put aside party politics and his own personal considerations and stepped up to do the right thing for Maryland and the nation.
Today, Washington is completely broken because that kind of leadership and willingness to put country over party has become far too rare. But it’s not in my nature to sit back and watch the dysfunction continue without doing what I can to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
I’m under no illusion this will be an easy road. But I’m no stranger to uphill battles, and I know I can’t do it without your support.
I don't aspire to be a United States senator. I don’t need a title and I don’t need a job, but I’m more concerned than ever about the direction of the country and I have become more convinced that I can make a difference by taking the approach and style of leadership I had during my eight years as governor to Washington.
It’s no surprise this mindset has made me a target of the Washington partisans. Despite early polls showing a lead, I know I’m the underdog in this race. And that’s why your support TODAY is so crucial.
For eight years, we proved that the toxic politics that divide our nation didn’t need to divide our state, and we got results! Let’s get back to work again and send a message to Washington that will be heard loud and clear across the country!
