Ex-Maryland GOP gubernatorial candidate Cox files to run for U.S. House

Former Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox will run for Congress to fill the seat of Democratic Rep. David Trone in 2024.

Cox filed the paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday, The Hill reported. Trone, for his part, is running for Senate to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. At least one state Democrat, Del. Joe Vogel, has announced his intent to seek the party nomination to succeed Trone.

The Republican won a close GOP gubernatorial primary with the support of former President Donald Trump in 2022. Outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan had opposed his candidacy, contending that he would cost the party the governor's mansion.

Hogan's concerns came to fruition when Cox decisively lost the general election in the traditionally deep blue state.

Cox previously ran for Congress in 2016, losing that bid to Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin. The 8th district, which includes much of Maryland's D.C. suburbs, is considerably more Democratic than the 6th district in which Cox will mount his current bid.

The 6th District includes much of western Maryland, including many of the more conservative rural areas, though Trone still won the contest in 2022 by nearly 10 points.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.