Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has accused the Democrats of “unprecedented collusion” with President Donald Trump.
Hogan made the far-fetched allegation after the candidate he wanted to replace him lost in the primary to a Trump-backed challenger.
The claims come despite Democrats pushing narratives that GOP candidates, mostly those backed by Trump, are a “danger to democracy” so people must vote blue.
“It was kind of unprecedented collusion between the Democratic Governors Association and Donald Trump,” Hogan told ABC “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl of the primary win of GOP candidate Dan Cox.
“It’s a big loss for the Republican Party, and we have no chance of saving that governor seat.
“We actually had a chance if they hadn’t gotten together and done that.”
Hogan alleged that Cox’s win was assisted by campaign ads by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).
He claims the effort is part of a move purportedly aimed at helping Republican candidates unlikely to win the general election beat out their GOP opponents in the primaries.
In doing so, the move would lead to a Democrat winning the race to lead the state in November.
“So, it was a win for the Democrats,” Hogan said.
“It’s a big loss for the Republican Party and we have no chance of saving that governor seat.
“We actually had a chance if they hadn’t gotten together and done that,” Hogan said.
WATCH:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tells Jon Karl on ABC that "collusion" between Trump and the Democratic Governors Association helped Trump-backed Dan Cox win the GOP nod for governor. He says DGA put in $3 mil, and Cox spent way less. Karl says it's cynical, but it worked! pic.twitter.com/ra3wAYTkna
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) July 24, 2022
He also added that he believes the DGA had spent $3 million to help advertise Cox, while the candidate himself had spent just $100,000.
Cox won the Maryland GOP primary with Trump’s endorsement.
Trump has also clashed with Hogan, who is term-limited but has reportedly considered a 2024 presidential bid.
In a Sunday appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Hogan reiterated the notion of collusion, which he said “propped this guy up and got him elected.”
He told co-host Jake Tapper that he expects “fringe candidates” like Cox to lose, adding that he doesn’t think there’s “any chance” the Republican nominee will win Maryland.
“There’s no question that we lost a battle, and we’re losing a few battles,” he said.
“But the fight is long. It’s not — it’s long from being over.
“I mean, we have another couple of years before the next election …
“There’s going to be a long battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. And this is just the beginning.”
After the midterms, Hogan said on CNN, the GOP will need to reassess itself.
“We’re going to have to start thinking about, between November’s election and the election two years later, what kind of a party are we going to be? And can we get back to a more Reagan-esque big tent party that appeals to more people?
“Or are we going to double down on failure?”
See the full transcript here.
