Trump-Endorsed Candidate Dan Cox Defeats Hogan Pick in Maryland GOP Gubernatorial Primary – RedState

The Associated Press is reporting that there’s a winner in the Maryland Republican gubernatorial primary, to fill the seat of GOP Governor Larry Hogan, who is term-limited.

AP:

Dan Cox, a far-right state legislator endorsed by former President Donald Trump, won the Republican primary for Maryland governor on Tuesday, defeating a moderate rival backed by outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan.

Cox will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the November general election. The top Democratic candidates include former U.S. Labor Secretary and Democratic Party chair Tom Perez, bestselling author Wes Moore and state Comptroller Peter Franchot.

The Hill:

Cox touted his experience as a state delegate, small businessman and constitutional attorney. The Trump endorsee also previously made a bid for a congressional seat in the state’s 8th Congressional District, later losing to then-state Sen. Jamie Raskin (D).

[Kelly] Schulz, meanwhile. touted her experience working under Hogan as both a former commerce secretary and labor secretary in addition to her experiences serving in the Maryland House of Delegates.

The former Hogan administration official’s campaign platform included backing law enforcement, supporting parents involvement in education curriculum and fighting efforts to raise taxes. Cox’s platform mirrored some of Schulz’s, but they also included his anti-abortion stance, supporting Second Amendment rights and fighting gerrymandering, among others.

As RedState wrote previously on Tuesday, the race was seen as a match-up between the two endorsers, although Cox had his own bouts with the governor as a state delegate.

Former President Donald Trump criticized Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on the eve of Tuesday’s Maryland GOP primary, calling him a RINO because he implemented statewide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

…

Cox has previously butted heads with Hogan during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically about the state’s pandemic stay-at-home order, as he filed a lawsuit and filed a resolution of impeachment. He accused the governor of violating the rights of residents.

The former president released a statement about the race — and Hogan — Monday night, which read, in part: “Maryland, tomorrow is a big day. Get out and vote for Dan Cox for Governor … Get rid of Shutdown RINO Larry Hogan who is trying to get another RINO into office, Kelly Schulz.”