Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the state and region.
This week, Len and Clayton discuss the growing issue of raising energy costs in the state of Maryland the political consequences for Governor Wes Moore and those seking to replace him.They also share their “Hot Takes” for the week.
This podcast is approximately 15 minutes in length.
Gren Whitman says
By backing a RINO for Maryland governor, Mr. Mitchell has tumbled into a self-dug hole, if not a political grave.
As a Dem turned GOP, Hale will be chewed up by the conservative and MAGA GOP primary voters, who will back Hogan (if he runs) or Steve Hershey, an attractive conservative from the rural Eastern Shore. (That is, unless MAGA extremist Dan Cox jumps in. Oberstleutnant Cox easily won the GOP primary in 2022 and against this bunch and with Trump and MAGA still in high gear, he can do it again.) Sorry, Mr. Mitchell, you’ve made a poor bet.
Here are the current, likely, and possible GOP primary candidates for Maryland governor in 2026:
1. Ed Hale, a Dem morphed into a GOP and therefore a genuine RINO. (And why did he switch parties? “There’s no way I could win running against Wes Moore” in the Dem primary.)
2. John Myrick, previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate. (“Eliminate the Wes Moore deficit, reduce taxes, and ensure economic prosperity.” COMMENT: In other words, GOP boilerplate…)
3. Freshman Del. Christopher Bouchat (Frederick and Carroll. (“Maryland has been under a legislative dictatorship by the Democratic Party for 105 years.” COMMENT: A Dem dictatorship since 1920, when Albert Ritchie was gov?)
4. Carl A. Brunner, a Carroll County firearms instructor. (Can’t find a quote from Carl, but he’s likely a die-hard a 2A enthusiast.)
5. Kurt Wedekind, a Carroll County farmer. (“We can’t afford these rising taxes anymore.” COMMENT: More GOP boilerplate.)
6. Larry Hogan, former two-term governor. (“I don’t want to over-promise and under-deliver.” COMMENT: Ho-hum.)
7. Robert Ehrlich, former one-term governor. (“I’m a Republican in Maryland. This is the bluest of the blue.”)
8. Sen. Steve Hershey (District 36; Upper Eastern Shore) (The Dems are “so far to the left.”)
And what about Dan Cox, who was called “a QAnon whack job” by Hogan in 2022, and who beat Hogan’s candidate (Kathy Schulz) handily?