Every child across our country deserves access to a world-class education, regardless of what zip code they happen to grow up in.
To make our schools the best in the world, we need to embrace innovative ideas for the 21st century instead of continuing to be weighed down by old partisan divisions.
We can expand access to world-class educational institutions by embracing school choice.
Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library earlier this month, former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice perfectly summed up what school choice is all about:
“We already have a choice system in education. If you are of means, you will move to a district where the schools are good and the houses are expensive…
If you’re really wealthy, you will send your kids to private schools.
So, who’s stuck in failing neighborhood schools? Poor kids–a lot of them minority kids.
So, if you want to say that school choice and vouchers and charter schools are destroying the public schools, fine. You write that editorial in The Washington Post–but then don’t send your kids to Sidwell Friends.”
Secretary Rice is right.
Right now, we have an education system that benefits the wealthiest families and leaves poorer Marylanders and Americans out to dry.
It’s common sense: we must give ALL families the opportunity to decide what they think is best for their children. We must remove financial barriers and expand school choice.
As Governor, I always fought to better our education system so that every Maryland child had access to a world-class education. Together, we:
→ Ensured Maryland public schools had record funding every year.
→ Boosted charter schools and created the BOOST Program so that underserved children could attend a non-public school of their choice.
→ Provided more than $4.7 billion for school construction over eight years and improved the physical condition of our public schools.
→ Worked to make higher education more affordable by funding higher education at record levels, providing historical support for HBCUs, preventing tuition increases, and granting scholarships to low-income and middle-income students from Maryland.
In the Senate, I will advocate for greater funding with real accountability, results, and choice–just as I did as Governor.
I will work across the aisle to advance innovative ideas that create new pathways for success for every child.
Together, we will return common sense to Washington this November and reform our education system so all children have access to a world-class education.
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!
