Larry Hogan, Republicans’ Dream Senate Majority Maker: Hogan Praised Trump’s SCOTUS Picks Who Overturned Roe; Maryland Leaders Held Roundtable on the Stakes of the 51st Seat

Welcome to Larry Hogan: Republicans’ Dream Senate Majority Maker, a weekly update on the latest news on self-described “lifelong” Republican Larry Hogan. Hogan, who was recruited by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and vows to caucus with Republicans, could be the 51st seat Republicans need to win control of the U.S. Senate and push forward an agenda that’s out of step with Marylanders, including a nationwide abortion ban.

Here’s the latest:

• UNEARTHED VIDEO: Hogan Praised Trump’s “Incredible Justices” Months After They Overturned Roe: New reporting from Semafor reveals that Republican Larry Hogan praised Donald Trump’s Supreme Court picks as “incredible justices” – mere months after they helped overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • REMINDER: Hogan spent the first four months of his campaign refusing to support legislation to restore Roe v. Wade. He also has a track record vetoing legislation to expand abortion access, refusing to fund abortion providers, and declining to sign legislation to protect against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.

• Hogan Held Accountable: On Tuesday, Maryland Leaders including Mayor Brandon Scott held a roundtable in Baltimore on the stakes of Larry Hogan delivering Republicans the 51st Senate seat, including a nationwide abortion ban and dangerous giveaways to the gun lobby.
  • BALTIMORE MAYOR BRANDON SCOTT: “We know who Larry Hogan is. We know he will be that 51st vote to not just cater to the gun lobby, but to bow down to the gun lobby and continue to allow women, men, children, people across this country to be slaughtered.”
  • MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KAREN DARKES: “Larry Hogan is a proud, self-described ‘lifelong Republican’ who would turn control of the Senate over to Republicans. That’s why Mitch McConnell personally recruited Republican Larry Hogan to run, and that’s why Donald Trump endorsed Republican Larry Hogan just hours after meeting with Republican senators to discuss retaking control of the Senate.”
  • WBFF: Maryland Senate race pivotal for U.S. Senate control, Democrats say (8/13/24) “Hogan’s veto of abortion access legislation was brought up several times throughout the event; while in office, he vetoed a bill that would have expanded who could provide abortions in Maryland… Democrats in the General Assembly overrode the veto and before leaving office, Hogan withheld the funding for the program. When Gov. Wes Moore assumed office, he released the funds.”

• Maryland Leaders Hit Hogan for Siding with Big Pharma: Leaders from across Maryland slammed Hogan for consistently putting large pharmaceutical companies before patients in need of affordable and life-saving medication.
  • DELEGATE JOSELINE PEŇA-MELNYK: “Larry Hogan’s rhetoric doesn’t match his record. As governor, Hogan sided with Big Pharma by opposing bill after bill aimed to lower prescription drug prices for Marylanders, including my legislation to create and fund a state board to hold Big Pharma accountable for overcharging Marylanders for life-saving medication.”
  • FORMER MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL BRIAN FROSH: “Marylanders deserve a Senator who will put their needs before the wishes of giant pharmaceutical companies. Our office worked to hold Big Pharma accountable – but former Governor Hogan repeatedly stood in the way. Hogan can’t hide from his real record caving to the pharmaceutical industry. If elected to the Senate, he’d give Republicans the majority they need to let Big Pharma get away with swindling Marylanders.”
• ICYMI: NBC Washington Calls Out Hogan’s Anti-Abortion Rights Past: NBC Washington (8/13/24): “Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has long been an outspoken proponent of reproductive rights. The Republican candidate, former Governor Larry Hogan announced back in May he is pro-choice… It is a departure from his stance as governor. In 2022, then-Governor Hogan vetoed a state law to widen access to abortion.”