General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHeads up. Senate danger in blue, blue Maryland. Larry Hogan is running for Senate and he can win
He just announced he is running in the Republican primary for the open Maryland Senate seat.
He polled high as the governor for two terms. This is going to be a hard win for Democrats, if they can even pull it off. In my view he is the front runner for the GOP primary *and* for the general.
Orangepeel
(13,961 posts)With high turnout, the democrat should win. But we can't take anything for granted!
2naSalit
(90,893 posts)Orangepeel
(13,961 posts)Congressman David Trone who has a lot of money and is advertising heavily and Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks who probably has more endorsements (although Trone also has a lot).
2naSalit
(90,893 posts)I have heard these names but I hadn't placed them yet.
Stinky The Clown
(68,295 posts)Trone has been spending a TON of money on TV ads already. Alsobrooks has only sent a few text messages
spooky3
(35,601 posts)Teachers unions are backing him.
Orangepeel
(13,961 posts)With Hogan in the race, Trone's big bank account might be really important
WarGamer
(14,289 posts)Not knowing who these two were, I went to their websites... both pretty good but the dude is already rich.
So I kicked Alsobrooks $50. She's EXTREMELY impressive.
A++
I like them both
spooky3
(35,601 posts)Has a ton of personal money (from his business, Total Wine) and has been advertising heavily. There is a popular councilwoman also running.
Elessar Zappa
(15,154 posts)Whos his Dem opponent at this time? Id like to send some money.
Stinky The Clown
(68,295 posts)^^^^^
kelly1mm
(5,006 posts)battleground or red states. I would give him a 20% chance of winning and would be to the left of Romney/Collins if elected. Still a Republican, but no Ted Cruz .......
elleng
(134,780 posts)NOT something I want my Senator to have to do.
Bleacher Creature
(11,360 posts)Marylanders are smart enough to recognize the difference between a moderate Republican as governor and a moderate Republican as a vote in favor of Mitch McConnell (or someone worse) as Senate majority leader.
Don't get me wrong, this race just got a LOT harder but it's still ours to lose so long as we don't screw it up.
elleng
(134,780 posts)kimbutgar
(22,506 posts)Start with the ads now DNC and remind the voters repukes dont care about them and want to take the country back to the 1900s. A repuke is a repuke even a moderate one! And they are not to be trusted!
Stinky The Clown
(68,295 posts)spooky3
(35,601 posts)elleng
(134,780 posts)and then have to wrestle with all the nuts.
Arazi
(6,879 posts)I think Rs are vulnerable there and Dems need to hammer the message about loss of rights and equality with the GOP
Cha
(302,810 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,693 posts)STOP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS EVER!!!
Stinky The Clown
(68,295 posts)Angela Alsobrooks is Prince Georges County Exec. (she replaced sitting Congressman Glen Ivey)
https://www.angelaalsobrooks.com
David Trone is a sitting congressman and rich. Spending a ton already on TV ads. Has good endorsements
https://davidtrone.com
We currently favor Alsobrooks but with Hogan in the race it is about WINNING not principle. Either Dem is really okay.
Cha
(302,810 posts)For Winning the Senate Seat Win the Primary.
mikewv
(131 posts)as Trump and trump republicans have labeled him. Yes, he is a popular X-Maryland Governor but he is not going to be popular with Trumpers. In a Presidential election year, I would guess that either Democrat candidate would win. Although, a smaller margin of victory. Which does not matter. The good thing is he will not run as a 3rd pary candidate for President. As mentioned before.
Silent3
(15,909 posts)Even if he were less conservative than Manchin he's useless to us if he doesn't caucus with Dems.
mikewv
(131 posts)Maryland will stay blue. No need to worry
Polybius
(16,882 posts)While no confidence is horrible, over-confidence is even worse. Be very afraid
Kingofalldems
(39,060 posts)Should be no problem.
WarGamer
(14,289 posts)He won in 14 and 18... midterms (in 18 he won by 12%)
If the Trump hatred gets people to the polls he should be toast.
Polybius
(16,882 posts)At minimum we will be forced to spend money there.
EarlG
(22,405 posts)Possible reasons why:
1) Hogan burned his bridges with the MAGA base by turning on Trump. His Republican support in Maryland could be weak, which would mean he would have to win a larger share of the indie and Dem vote.
2) Hogan cant get Trumps help with the base by seeking an endorsement, because that would hurt him with indies that he needs to win over to stand a chance.
3) it wouldnt be easy to tie Hogan to Trump, but it WOULD be easy to tie him to Republican control of the Senate, which Marylanders would not want. As a few people have pointed out, a governor is different than a Senator this respect. Its why blue states like Massachusetts sometimes elect governors like Mitt Romney, but reliably vote for Democratic presidents and Senators like Elizabeth Warren.
Point 3 is where the rubber meets the road in a state like Maryland because no matter Hogans positions, you can still tie him to the worst the other side has to offer and hammer him with ads saying that a vote for Hogan would be a vote for a Mitch McConnell-controlled Senate and all that would bring (national abortion ban, etc.)
Hogan wouldnt be a pushover, but I think he could be weaker than expected in a Senate race.
WarGamer
(14,289 posts)radius777
(3,767 posts)it's still dangerous whenever there's a well-known/well-liked person running - that's how Manchin, Tester won in deep red states.
In Maine in 2020 Susan Collins should've lost in a state Biden carried by 9 points - yet still easily defeated Sara Gideon by 8 points.