Topline
Trump-backed lawmaker candidate Dan Cox won the Republican Primary for the Maryland Gubernatorial election on Wednesday, a result that potentially opens the door for Democrats to wrest back control of the governorship in the blue-leaning state.
Dan Cox, a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, speaks with reporters during a … [+]
Key Facts
The Associated Press has called the race in favor of Cox who leads Kelly Schulz—a candidate endorsed by Maryland’s incumbent Republican governor Larry Hogan—by around 16 points with 70% of the votes counted.
Cox has previously reiterated former President Donald Trump’s false claims about a stolen 2020 election and even participated in the “Stop The Steal” Rally in Washington D.C. on January 6 last year hours before the riots at the U.S. Capitol.
Over the past two years, Cox has emerged as a strong opponent of Hogan and has attacked the governor’s lockdown policies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Schulz was a member of Hogan’s cabinet—Hogan served two terms as governor of the largely blue state.
Hogan, who has been critical of Trump’s election falsehoods and his handling of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been seen as a potential antidote to the Republican party’s continued lean towards the hard-right.
The Democratic primary, which is yet to be called, is led by author Wes Moore, who has been endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, followed by former Democratic Party chairperson Tom Perez.
Crucial Quote
Just before the race was called, Trump posted about Cox’s lead on Truth Social, saying: “Trump Endorsed Dan Cox is doing really well tonight…Not over yet, but RINO Larry Hogan’s Endorsement doesn’t seem to be working out so well for his heavily favored candidate. Next, I’d love to see Larry run for President!”
Key Background
The race in Maryland—a state which President Joe Biden carried by more than 33 points—has been seen as one of the Democratic Party’s best chances to flip over a governorship in November. In a repeat of the risky strategy they embraced in the Illinois Primaries, the Democratic Governors Association spent millions on an ad campaign painting Cox as a Trump endorsee and “too conservative,” with a goal to help him win over Republican voters. The tactic appears to have worked and now the Democrats will hope their eventual nominee will be able to take advantage of Cox’s closeness to Trump and right-wing policies which may put off the blue state’s moderate voters.
Further Reading
Trump-backed Cox wins Md. governor primary over Hogan’s pick (Associated Press)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/07/20/trump-endorsed-candidate-dan-cox-pips-moderate-in-republican-primary-for-maryland-governors-race/