Outgoing Maryland GOP Gov. Hogan says won't pursue a Senate bid

Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday that he will not be pursuing a 2022 Senate run.

The two-term GOP governor in a Blue state was rumored to be considering bid being courted by Senate Republicans who are aiming to reclaim a majority in the upper chamber come November.

On Tuesday, Hogan said he had considered the option, but is instead opting to focus on finishing out his term in office as governor. Term limit prevent him from seek reelection a second time.

"I plan to run through the tape and finish next January," said Hogan, a cancer survivor. "I will not be a candidate for the United States Senate. I sincerely appreciate all the people who have been encouraging me to consider it. A number of people have said they thought I could make a difference in the Senate. I don’t aspire to be a United States senator, and that fact has not changed.

Hogan said he had spoken with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. Rick Scott, of Florida, to inform them of his decision. 

Hogan also said he called Sens. Mitt Romney, of Utah, and Susan Collins, of Maine to discuss his decision. He additionally informed Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who is seeking reelection next year.

In his state, Hogan's approval figures have remained consistently solid over the course of the coronavirus pandemic. He was also a detractor of former President Donald Trump and said he had voted for someone else in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. 

Hogan also considers himself a contender for a 2024 shot at the White House. An America United, the governor's political action committee, released a new video on Tuesday attempting to highlight Hogan's call for a new approach to U.S. politics, which he discussed during his State of the State speech last week.