Moderate GOP Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland criticized the Republican party for its mistake of being "focused on the wrong things" after he declined calls to run for a Senate seat.
The official said on Sunday that the GOP's preoccupation with the results of the 2020 presidential elections was holding the country back from a positive and hopeful future. Hogan's refusal to run for a Senate seat comes as the party believes him to be the best shot at ousting one of the state's incumbent Democratic senators.
The Focus of the GOP
During an interview, Hogan said that Republicans were not just trying to be a roadblock to United States President Joe Biden. He argued that there were other pressing issues, including inflation and the rising amount of money being spent on various programs and necessities.
The Maryland governor added that he and his colleagues wanted to stand up and speak out but said there were concerns of trying to "relitigate the last election." Hogan, a term-limited governor, is expected to leave office in January 2023. He said that while he was flattered that the party saw him as being a voice of reason and sanity, he did not have a desire to be in the U.S. Senate, as per CNN.
A Republican who had similar perspectives with Hogan was Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. The official said he was not seeking a Senate seat because he did not want to be a wall against Biden for the next two years. He also argued that, for the most part, Republicans are now too focused on the past than on the future, arguing they were completely comfortable with doing nothing.
Last week, Hogan had a speech at the Maryland State House in Annapolis where he said that there were a number of people who believed he could make a difference in the Senate. They argued that the Maryland governor was a voice for common sense and moderation.
Larry Hogan for Senate?
Business Insider reported that Hogan said that he was humbled by all of the support that many of his colleagues have given him and that the calls have prompted his family to consider the potential run for a Senate seat. However, he reiterated that he did not want to be a senator, a fact that has not changed.
Hogan said that he was far more committed to serving the people of Maryland and wanted to keep his pledge of doing his best as the state's governor. The Maryland official also said that hours before his public announcement, he notified Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rick Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NSRC) of his decision not to run for Senate.
When asked about Hogan's decision, McConnel said that he was disappointed, arguing that the Maryland official would have made a great candidate for the Senate. Furthermore, the Minority Leader said that the upcoming 2022 midterm elections will be a "referendum" on the performance of the Democrat-led federal government. He said he was highly optimistic that Republicans will have a very good year this fall, Fox News reported.
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