Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) cast his vote for former President Reagan in this year’s election, according to The Washington Post.
Hogan told the Post that he wrote in the late president after making the decision that he could not support President Trump or Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Hogan said that he decided to write in Reagan on his ballot to make a statement and felt that it was justified in his state, where Biden led in a recent poll by about 30 percent, the Post reported.
“I know it’s simply symbolic. It’s not going to change the outcome in my state. But I thought it was important to just cast a vote that showed the kind of person I’d like to see in office,” Hogan told the Post.
It’s not the first time Hogan has made a statement with his presidential vote. In 2016 he wrote in his father, Larry Hogan Sr., noting that he could not support Trump or then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, the Post reported.
The Maryland governor has referred to Reagan as his “hero in politics” and a picture of what he aspires to be as a conservative, the Post said.
“I’m a lifelong conservative Republican,” Hogan told the Post. “Reagan was the guy. I marched around as a college kid on the floor of the convention with a Reagan hat and a Reagan sign.”
Hogan has frequently criticized the Trump administration and has even hinted he might run for president in 2024. In Maryland, fellow Republicans view his moderate stance as a positive for the party.
“Our party will be in a different place after the election, whomever wins,” Maryland House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga (R) told the Post. “[Hogan] brings that ability to connect with a larger audience, which is something you have to do when you’re a Republican from a Democratic state.”
Hogan told the Post he will continue to be guided by Regan’s ability to appeal to both conservatives and Democrats.
“People really want someone who’s pragmatic, who’s not afraid to compromise,” Hogan told the Post.
