Former Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan announced on Sunday that he would not pursue the GOP nomination for the White House in 2024.
“I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party,” Hogan said in a statement. “That is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president.”
I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. That is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president.
My full statement on the 2024 Presidential race. pic.twitter.com/1uanfEkjkp
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 5, 2023
Hogan, who left office in January as a relatively popular governor in deep-blue Maryland, has been considered a potential anti-Trump candidate since the 2020 election. In recent months, he said he was giving serious consideration to a presidential campaign. In August, Hogan visited the Iowa State Fair, a key stop for presidential hopefuls.
But by Sunday, Hogan said he has “no desire” to put his family through “another grueling campaign just for the experience.”
Former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have entered the contest for the 2024 Republican nomination. So far, polling generally favors Trump and Florida GOP Governor Ron DeSantis, who has not declared candidacy for the White House.
Hogan encouraged Republicans to move away from Trump, though he indicated last month that he might support Trump if he became the GOP nominee.
“To once again be a successful governing party, we must move on from Donald Trump. There are several competent Republican leaders who have the potential to step up and lead,” Hogan said. “But the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup that could potentially help Mr. Trump recapture the nomination.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP
Among Democrats, President Joe Biden has said he intends to run again, though he has not formally declared his candidacy, and Marianne Williamson recently launched a campaign.
In his statement, Hogan said he still believes in the Republican Party on core tenets such as fiscal responsibility, standing up for the rule of law, “peace through strength” abroad, and small government. Hogan also said he believes in a GOP that honors “the peaceful transfer of power” in elections.
Hogan did not endorse anyone for president in his statement Sunday, but the former governor stressed that he has “only just begun fighting” for a Republican Party that “can deliver for working people.”