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

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) pledged to “put the country first” and work across the aisle, in his victory speech Tuesday after securing the GOP nomination for his state’s open Senate seat.

Hogan made his pitch to the ideological middle, in his speech to supporters Tuesday night, saying political leaders in Washington who show a “willingness to put country over party has become far too rare.”

“Just 95 days ago, we launched this campaign, and I wasn’t looking for a new title. I didn’t need a job,” Hogan said. “But I decided to take on this challenge because I have never been more concerned about the direction of our nation. And there are times in history when we desperately need leaders to step up and put the country first.”

Hogan is vying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), whose plans to leave the upper chamber after three terms in the role kicked off a competitive Democratic primary in the Old Line State.

Hogan made a surprise entry into the race earlier this year, fueling Republican hopes of a strong showing in the blue-leaning state.

Hogan, who emerged in the last couple years as a rare critic of former President Trump’s, pledged on Tuesday to work across the aisle to get things done, if elected to the Senate in November.

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

“I’m willing to stand up and fight for the things that really matter, but not for status quo politics as usual, and not to perpetuate polarization and paralysis. I think you know, I don’t come from the performative-art school of politics. I come from the get-to-work-and-get-things-done schools, and I’ll work with anyone who wants to do the people’s business,” he said.

On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone (Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks were battling in a closely watched primary for their party nod, with Alsobrooks prevailing in the Democratic contest.

He congratulated the candidates competing in both the Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday and said, “but tonight the campaign for Maryland and America’s future begins.”