Caroll Republicans Weigh In On Hogan's Senate Bid Ahead Of Primary: 'Unify Our Party'
This article originally appeared in The Carroll County Times
Polls show Republican Larry Hogan is the current favorite to capture outgoing Democrat Sen. Ben Cardin’s seat in Congress, but some Carroll GOP members have mixed feelings about the former Governor’s campaign, while others remain more enthusiastic.
Michelle Wenstrup, a stay at home mom with two young children from Westminster, also the secretary of Carroll’s Moms for Liberty chapter, said she would indeed be supporting Hogan, even though she was frustrated with the then Governor’s allowing extended school closures and mask mandates during the pandemic.
“I would say my support for him is based on pragmatism,” she explained. “Trying to win the Senate is more important than getting hung up on the things we don’t like about him.”
Today, there are 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and 3 Independents in the Senate. But the Independents, including Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, caucus with Democrats, making them the majority party under New York Democrat Sen. Chuck Shumer’s leadership.
When asked if she would be supporting Hogan, Sallie Taylor, president of the South Carroll Republican Club, said she is focusing on other races this election cycle, though she acknowledges Hogan is the Republican with the best shot at winning in the general election.
“The practical GOPer in me would say that he is the only Republican candidate running that can raise enough money to win in November.”
Maryland’s Senate race is one of the most expensive in the country this cycle according to OpenSecrets, with more than $50 million dollars having been raised by the candidates so far.
Mercedes Moebuis, president of the Republican Club of Carroll County, who was recently appointed to the Republican Central Committee by chair Joe Leeman, said she would support whichever candidate wins the Republican primary for Senate in the general election.
That candidate is likely to be Hogan, who enjoys the support of 69% of 451 likely Republican primary voters in Maryland who were polled in early April, a wide margin over Robin Ficker who came in second with 9%, and John A. Myrick who had 3%.
“I will support the candidate who wins the primary and I think it would benefit Mr. Hogan to do the same,” Moebuis said. “It is time to come together as Republicans and unify our party.”
According to a March report from Axios, Hogan has said he is unwilling to vote for both Trump or Joe Biden in the November presidential election. During the 2020 presidential election, Hogan voted for Ronald Reagan via write in.
Expressing enthusiasm for Hogan’s candidacy was District 5 Commissioner Ed Rothstein, a veteran, who was contacted by the Hogan campaign to help rally other former military members to the former Governor’s cause.
When asked, Rothstein said he identifies with Hogan’s brand of Republicanism, emphasizing fiscal restraint and business and property rights, while focusing less on the social issues emerging conservatives regard as a core tenant.
“I am 100% in support of Governor Hogan becoming our next Senator and representing Maryland,” Rothstein said. “I want more Republican representation in DC.”
Primary election day is Tuesday, May 14th, from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Early voting begins May 2nd and extends through May 9th.