Hogan Seeks Bigger GOP Tent In 2024; Frustrated By Trump, Biden

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan appeared on "Meet the Press" Sunday to talk about the state of the coronavirus pandemic and the future of the Republican party. The second-term Republican governor said he is frustrated with the presidential choices voters have in November.

Moderator Chuck Todd asked Hogan if President Donald Trump wins re-election, is there room for a moderate like Hogan in the Republican party.

Lots of people nationwide are frustrated with divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington, D.C., Hogan said.

“Both parties are going to be re-examining about what the future looks like. 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. "I think they’re going to be looking to how do we go about becoming a bigger tent party.”

Maryland is the bluest state in America, Hogan told Todd, yet he was overwhelming re-elected in 2018. That win came by reaching out, finding a middle ground where people can stand together, avoiding divisiveness, and appealing to women, Democrats and minority votes, he said.

The president's commutation of Roger Stone's prison sentence — a man convicted of seven felonies — will hurt him politically because it shows a double standard in the justice system, the governor said.

Four years ago Hogan wrote in the name of his late father for president. “Can you imagine pulling the lever for Joe Biden?" Todd asked Sunday.

"I feel I'm in the same kind of position I was four years ago. I’ll have to make that decision between now and November," Hogan said. "I’m in the same position a lot of people in America are I think, really frustrated that this is the best that we can come up with on both sides of the aisle, it’s a difficult choice. I think most people would like to see something different. And maybe we’ll figure that out in 2024.”

Hogan announced Tuesday that the July 28 release of his memoir, titled "Still Standing," comes as his handling of the coronavirus outbreak has fueled calls for him to run for president in 2024.

He is the second Republican to ever be elected to consecutive terms as Maryland governor. He was first elected in 2014, winning by a 4 percent margin. Hogan easily won reelection in 2018 with a 12 point victory.

The governor's supporters point to his ability to reach across the aisle in a historically blue state. Maryland has voted for the Democratic nominee in 12 of the last 15 presidential elections.

In recent years, Hogan asserted himself as one of the only Republicans willing to criticize President Donald Trump. Hogan's dissent from Trump became especially apparent as coronavirus swept the country. While Trump insisted that America was handling the pandemic well, Hogan instead argued that states needed more resources to contain the virus.

Hogan's handling of coronavirus has garnered him national attention. His role as the chairman of the National Governors Association furthered his countrywide media coverage.

"This thing is out of control, it by no means is behind us and we’ve all got to work together at the federal, state and local level," Hogan said Sunday of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hogan has become one of the national examples of how to handle the pandemic, with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo being another leader. Cuomo, a Democrat, called Hogan's book "An account of how America's governors worked together to fight the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic."

The book tour is the latest potential sign that Hogan may consider running for president in 2024. Similar calls urged Hogan to run in 2020, but he chose not to challenge Trump in the Republican primary.