From: Karl Rove Memo: Important Maryland State of the Race Update Background: The Deep-Blue State of Maryland
Fox News recently released their "Power Rankings" of the most competitive U.S. Senate races of the year.
One of those was the Senate race in Maryland. A new poll shows Gov. Hogan TIED 46% to 46%.
Maryland is historically deep blue. No Republican has been elected to the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 40 years. Biden won the state by 30 points in 2020, and Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans.
But it's a state Republicans can win, and here's why. The Republican nominee for Senate is Gov. Larry Hogan, who's been elected twice statewide by big healthy margins.
The Candidate: Gov. Larry Hogan
Larry Hogan is not your typical politician. He doesn't bow down to either party. Take a look at his time as a two-term governor and you'll see how he works across the aisle to get things done for the people he serves. For Larry, this race isn't about a fancy title or a new job—it's about doing what's best for the people of his state.
Gov. Hogan appeals to Republicans, Independents, Democrats, you name it, because he cares about the people he serves, and puts them, his state and America above anything else.
That's how he pulled off a historic victory in 2014. It's why in 2018 he became the first Republican Governor to be reelected in Maryland in half a century.
And it's why he can win this Senate race in November.
So while Maryland is a deep-blue state, if there's any candidate who could shock the country and flip the script in Maryland, it's Larry Hogan.
State of the Race Today
A new poll shows Gov. Hogan in a dead heat against his opponent, Angela Alsobrooks, 46% to 46%.
While this is great news, we need to remember the huge advantage Democrats have in the state.
Their advantages in fundraising, spending, and party registration are monumental.
But Larry Hogan has been up against this before and pulled off two big victories. That was possible because he was backed by a movement of proud Americans ready for change. They flipped the script of politics-as-usual elect a leader who'd be a voice for them.
Fundraising is tough in a deep-blue state and this is the most expensive race he's run. His opponent has national Democrats helping her by pouring tens of millions into the state.
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!
