Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Sunday that the Republican Party will need to “find a way to appeal to more people” in the future.
The governor told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that after Trump’s presidency, the GOP will have to examine how to become a “bigger tent party.”
“I don’t know what the future holds in November, but I know that the Republican Party is going to be looking at what happens after President Trump, whether that’s in four months or in four years,” Hogan said. “And I think they’re going to be looking to ‘How do we go about becoming a bigger tent party?’”
“We’re going to have to find a way to appeal to more people and have a bigger tent,” he added.
Hogan said he thinks the Republican and Democratic parties both need to reexamine “what the future looks like.”
“I think regardless of what happens in November, there are an awful lot of people in America that are completely frustrated with politics today and the divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington,” he said.
{mosads}The governor called on his party to follow in his footsteps in the 2018 election, when he won reelection in a traditionally blue state. He urged Republicans to “find that middle ground,” avoid “divisive rhetoric” and win over suburban women, Democrats, independents and minority voters.
Hogan’s comments come as the country braces for the 2020 election amid the coronavirus pandemic, pitting Trump against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The Maryland governor has frequently criticized Trump throughout his presidency and has said he is considering a 2024 presidential run.