Hogan allies make big move in Maryland Senate race

Larry Hogan just got some major reinforcements in his uphill Senate bid in the deep-blue state of Maryland.

Maryland’s Future, a super PAC created to aid Hogan, placed $18.2 million worth of ad buys so far this week, with ads set to begin airing on Tuesday, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact. Republicans are now outspending Democrats in the state by a more than two-to-one margin.

Hogan, a popular former governor, singlehandedly placed Maryland in play in 2024 when he entered the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin.

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won a prolonged and intense Democratic primary. She and her allies have reserved $13.9 million, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact.

With the new spending from Maryland’s Future, Hogan and Republicans have reserved more than $32 million.

The latest investment should not come as a surprise. The group reported having $15.5 million in the bank as of June 30, $10 million of which came from GOP mega-donor Ken Griffin.

Democrats believe Alsobrooks can win even if Republicans outspend Democrats in Maryland, which Joe Biden carried by more than 30 points. She is battle-tested from her primary battle with Rep. David Trone (D-Md.).

Women Vote!, the super PAC aligned with EMILY’s List, is spending nearly $4.8 million. Other national Democratic groups, like the official party campaign arm and the top super PAC with ties to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have both spent some money in Maryland. But they are more focused on incumbents and candidates in battleground states, especially the two senators running in red states of Ohio and Montana.

Republicans recruited Hogan, in part, because he is perhaps the only Republican who could win in Maryland. And they at least hoped he would force Democrats to spend precious resources in Maryland.

Hogan has proved a strong fundraiser and has reserved some $10.7 million of air time. He has tried to cast himself as an independent, stressing his commitment to abortion rights and keeping his distance from former President Donald Trump.