Former Maryland Gov. Hogan Teases Run Amid Moore’s Polling Downturn

As recent polling has shown decreasing support for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Larry Hogan, the state’s former Republican governor, has hinted at a potential candidacy in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

“Slightly used 2024 RV, only 15,000 all Maryland miles. Never slept in. Could make a good deal. Or … I guess we could always rewrap it and get back out on the road again,” said the former governor in a Facebook post, displaying an RV used during his unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign against now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D).

While half of voters approve of the current governor’s work, Moore’s polling numbers have been declining since January, with an increasing percentage of voters identifying as “dissatisfied.” Six percent less survey respondents viewed Moore’s performance as “excellent,” while 8% more survey respondents viewed his performance as “poor” in the most recent polling.

A January poll noted a 61% approval and 28% disapproval rate, while the March poll held a 55% approval and 36% disapproval rate.

Moore strongly supported Alsobrooks during her Senate campaign, and both leaders spoke at the Democratic National Convention to support the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Amid the efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional maps to add to Republican majorities in Congress, passed on Aug. 18, former Governor Hogan decried gerrymandering and touted work toward nonpartisan maps under his gubernatorial administration. 

“When I first took office, Maryland was the national poster child for gerrymandering. As governor, I called gerrymandering a cancer on our democracy. I still believe that it is. It corrodes trust in government and pushes both parties further towards the fringes,” he said in a social media post on Aug. 8.

The declining statistics for the current governor contrast growing national support for Moore.

Earlier this year, actor George Clooney said he was so impressed with Moore he could see him as a future presidential contender.

“There’s one person in particular I think is spectacular,” Clooney said in April in an interview promoting his Broadway portrayal of legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow. “I think [Moore] is a guy that has handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He does two tours of duty in Afghanistan — active duty. He speaks beautifully. He’s smart. He ran a hedge fund — the Robin Hood Foundation. He’s a proper leader.”