I hail from the great state of Alaska. In 2010, I became the first U.S. Senator since 1954 to be elected as a write-in candidate.
That’s right. I wasn’t even on the ballot in November. I was the underdog. But I worked hard, proved what I was going to do, and won—as a write-in candidate.
It may have seemed impossible to some, and it was an uphill battle for sure, but I don’t let challenges get in the way of doing everything I can to serve Alaskans.
Right now there’s a leader who’s running for Senate in Maryland who’s in a boat similar to the one I was in back in 2010—Gov. Larry Hogan.
Gov. Hogan is running for Senate in the deep-blue state of Maryland as a Republican. A Republican winning a U.S. Senate seat there is practically unheard of. In fact, you need to go back 40 years to find the last time it happened.
But there are two things you should know about Gov. Hogan.
First, Gov. Hogan doesn’t bow down to either party. He doesn’t fight for what is best for his party. He fights for what is best for his people. As governor, he worked across the aisle to pass legislation that helped Marylanders; from cutting taxes and tolls, to supporting local businesses, to making sure schools had historic funding, and so much more.
Secondly, this isn’t the first time Gov. Hogan has pulled off a historic upset. In 2014, Gov. Hogan won his race for governor in a massive upset. Four years later, he was the first Republican reelected as governor in Maryland in half a century.
He wasn’t reelected because of his party or partisan political games. Gov. Hogan won in a deep-blue state because he proved he was there to fight for Maryland no matter the cost. He got things done for the people he served, plain and simple.
He’s running for Senate to bring that same strong independent leadership to Washington. It’s the type of leadership we desperately need more of 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!
