Will Hogan Stand with Scott Wagner After Threats of Violence?

Annapolis, MD—Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania Scott Wagner’s anti-semitism and arch-conservative views should have been enough to prevent Larry Hogan from endorsing him, but Wagner’s recent threat to “stomp all over” his opponent, Democratic Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf’s, “face with golf spikes” should be more than enough reason for Hogan to rescind his endorsement. Wagner’s threat was condemned by Republican House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who tweeted, “these comments are totally unacceptable. As I’ve said many times before, there is absolutely no place in our politics for this kind of rhetoric.”

“It is shameful that Larry Hogan continues to stand with Scott Wagner, even after his intemperate threat of violence against Democratic Governor Tom Wolf,” said Maryland Democratic Party chair Kathleen Matthews. “Governor Hogan should rescind his endorsement of Scott Wagner in light of his violent threats.”

Wagner was caught on video last summer calling the longtime American citizen George Soros a “Hungarian Jew” who “made a fortune,” but carries a “hatred for America.” Hogan never pulled his endorsement of Wagner, in spite of the comments—all well-worn anti-semitic tropes used to disparage and degrade Jewish Americans.

Hogan’s endorsement of the arch-conservative raises many questions about Hogan’s judgment and position on issues important to Maryland voters.  Wagner is a Pennsylvania State Senator who opposes the Affordable Care Act, believes climate change doesn’t exist, sponsored a bill to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, and is a strong supporter of Donald Trump.