Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Friday characterized Sen. Tim Scott's (R.S.C.) predicted support for former President Trump as “concerning.”
A former co-chairman of NoLabels, a nonprofit group that seeks to expand support for third-party tickets, said Scott's decision was not a “big surprise” and that in Scott's eyes, Trump remains the likely Republican choice. He said he was the weakest candidate. 2024.
“It's certainly not good news. It's not that surprising. It's alarming,” Hogan said Friday in an interview with The Hill's “Daily Debrief” contributor Kevin Cirilli.
“Everyone seems to be lining up. He's very good at placating and intimidating, and he has a lot of power that he can wield,” he added. “I think Trump is very close to the White House. I never think I should be there,” he added.
Hogan has been an outspoken critic of the former president, but in November he reiterated his pledge not to support President Trump or President Biden.
The former governor announced his support for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Trump ultimately won the Hawkeye State by more than 30 points, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis coming in second ahead of Haley.
On Friday, Hogan reiterated her belief that Haley is the party's best chance to overtake the former president.
“I think the only person who can stop Donald Trump is Nikki Haley. I think he's the weakest possible candidate,” Hogan argued. “In the last three elections, all we've done is lose. We've lost the White House, the Senate, gubernatorial races, and state legislatures.”
“I think we have to move forward instead of continuing to look back,” he added.
Scott, who ended his presidential bid in November, is scheduled to join Trump at a campaign stop in Concord, New Hampshire, on Friday night. He is expected to endorse the former president at a rally days before the New Hampshire primary.
While Trump maintains a lead in the Granite State, Haley has an edge over the former president. She leads President Trump by just 10.6 percentage points, according to The Hill/Decision Desk Headquarters polling average.
The two candidates were competing for the Senate seat, as Scott was appointed to the Senate seat by Haley in 2012 when she was still South Carolina's governor.
Hogan resigned from No Labels in December as he considered running for president. The third-party group hopes to offer a bipartisan “unity” ticket consisting of two “moderate” candidates.
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