ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Supporters of former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are urging the once-popular Republican not to retire from politics, after hearing what they described as a remarkable concession speech Tuesday evening.
After congratulating and praising Democratic Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for her victory in the Senate race, Hogan went on to appeal to Marylanders and Americans not to give up on seeking common ground for the good of the nation.
“This was the only campaign in America that reached out to Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, because that's what it's going to take to solve the serious problems we face," Hogan said. "Americans today are thoroughly convinced that we're hopelessly divided, that Washington is completely dysfunctional and that our entire political system is fundamentally broken. The voices of the exhausted majority are ignored in deference to the demands of the loudest and angriest few who seem hell bent on tearing America apart."
Supporters, like former Maryland State Sen. Bobby Zirkin, said the speech is evidence that Hogan should continue to seek a national role.
“Regardless of the of the outcome of this election, that's a message that has to continue, and he's the right messenger for it," Zirkin said. "I mean, he's a genuine warrior for people to stop this hyper partisanship."
Before running for Senate in Maryland, Hogan remained relevant nationally by toying with an Independent presidential run and serving as co chair of the ultimately failed "No Labels" movement, which was seeking independent ballot access for the 2024 election.
Zirkin said Hogan is poised to continue similar efforts.
"We as a country must move beyond talking only with those we agree with, and we need to stop dismissing or even hating those we disagree with," Hogan said Tuesday night. "We have got to find a way to come together, to listen and to believe in each other once again, because there really is far more that unites us than divides us.”
Hogan has not said what’s next for him.
After leaving two terms in the Maryland governor’s office in 2023 with a 70% approval rating, supporters marveled that Hogan managed to remain a hugely successful Republican in a majority Democratic state. But observers also noted that Hogan’s governor’s races were off-year elections that were not influenced by a presidential race at the top of the ticket.