Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he wants to 'be in position' for 2024 presidential run

Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan appears to be getting closer to a 2024 presidential run.

"I promise after I'm done being governor, I will take a look at that, but I am not here to convince you that I am on that path quite yet. I want to be in position,” he said.

“If it's not me and I don't see a path, I want to help who I think is the strongest possible candidate," Hogan said on Thursday at the "Politics & Eggs" event in Manchester, N.H.. "I think there are 10 people who want to be the next Donald Trump, and I think there may be a different lane." 

Hogan said that while he's not a declared candidate, he's traveling around the country speaking to voters.

"Obviously, I'm traveling around the country, I've been to about 25 different states, and I'm listening to people and trying to get a feel," Hogan said.

If he doesn't run, Hogan said he will be in the political arena in some capacity.

"I am going to be a voice somehow. I'm going to do everything I can to get the country back on track. I do not know what path that will take frankly," he said. "I have a job until Jan. 18." 

Speaking to reporters after the speech, Hogan pushed back against the Republican In Name Only (RINO) label that some of his critics have attached to him.

"I consider myself a commonsense conservative, and I'm a lifelong conservative Republican. I started out in the Reagan campaign. They can call me whatever they want, but I am a dedicated Republican," he said. "I'm a lifelong Republican. I think some of the people who might say that might not really be Republicans. Maybe they're the RINOs."