GOP Candidate Leads Dem Rivals in Latest Senate Poll

A longtime Democratic stronghold could offer Republicans a path to reclaiming the Senate majority in November's elections, according to a recent poll.

According to a Washington Post/University of Maryland survey released Wednesday, former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland holds significant leads over both potential Democratic rivals in the state's Senate race.

Popular ex-GOP governor trounces two Dem rivals in blue state Senate showdown: poll - https://t.co/Lav0XkIfMd pic.twitter.com/LlCjkBU0Jw

— conservativeinsights.net (@coninsights_net) March 21, 2024

The poll revealed that if the general election were held today, Hogan would lead Democratic Rep. David Trone 49% to 37%. He would also lead Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks by a margin of 50% to 36%.

The poll, conducted from March 5-12, indicates that Maryland voters prefer Democratic control of the Senate by a 20-point margin. In the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, Trone leads Alsobrooks 34%-27%, with nearly 40% of Democratic voters undecided.

Trone, a co-founder of the successful alcohol retailer Total Wine & More, has significantly outspent Alsobrooks in the Democratic primary.

Hogan, known for his criticism of former President Donald Trump, won gubernatorial elections in 2014 and 2018 in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans approximately 2-to-1.

Despite being courted by Republican leaders to run for Senate in 2022, Hogan declined, stating he did not aspire to be a senator.

He has now entered the race for the open Senate seat in a state where Republicans have not held a Senate seat in nearly four decades.

Hogan, who governed Maryland with bipartisan support, left office with high approval ratings, which the poll indicates remain strong at 64%-23% favorable/unfavorable.

The survey also suggests that Trone and Alsobrooks are still unknown to many Maryland voters.

Republicans view the Senate map favorably this year, with Democrats defending 23 of the 34 seats up for election. Three of those seats are in states won by Trump in 2020—Ohio, Montana, and West Virginia, where Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin is not seeking re-election.