Larry Hogan says leaders must ‘put the country first,’ pledges bipartisan work in Senate

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said in his victory speech Tuesday after securing the Republican nomination for the state’s vacant Senate seat that he would “put country first” and work across the aisle. I swore.

Hogan touted his ideological centrism in a speech to supporters Tuesday night, saying, “Political leaders in Washington who put country before party have become too rare.”

“We started this campaign just 95 days ago, and we weren’t looking for a new title. We didn’t need a job,” Hogan said. “But I’ve never been so concerned about the direction of this country, so I decided to take on this challenge. And there are times in history when it comes to putting country first.” There are times when we desperately need a leader to stand up for us.”

Hogan is vying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland. He plans to leave the Senate after three terms, and a fierce Democratic primary race in Old Line states has begun.

Mr. Hogan made a surprise entry into the race earlier this year, raising Republican hopes for a strong showing in blue-leaning states.

Hogan, who has emerged in recent years as a rare critic of former President Trump, promised on Tuesday that if elected to the Senate in November, he would work together to get things done across the aisle.

“America is at a dangerous and critical crossroads. Most Americans are thoroughly convinced that we are hopelessly divided and that Washington is completely dysfunctional. And I Our entire political system is fundamentally broken, honoring the demands of the loudest and angriest few who seem bent on tearing America apart, and the voices of the exhausted majority. is often ignored. Enough is enough,” Hogan said.

“I’m going to stand up and fight for what really matters, but not for the politics of the status quo, as always, and perpetuating polarization and paralysis. As you know, I “I don’t come from the performing arts school of politics. I come from the school of getting to work and getting things done, and I’ll work with anyone who wants to do the job for the people,” he said.

On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone (Maryland) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are attracting attention in the primary contest for the party’s endorsement, with Alsobrooks leading the Democratic race. I won.

He congratulated the candidates competing in both the Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday, saying, “But tonight, the campaign for the future of Maryland and America begins.”