The NRSC has partnered with Hogan to spend over $1.6 million on ads since early August

New reporting is calling out Republican Larry Hogan for falsely stating he is “independent” in advertisements bankrolled by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). MSNBC’s Steve Benen reports that Hogan and the NRSC have jointly spent more than $1.6 million since early August to elevate Hogan and help Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate. Hogan is also fundraising for his Senate bid alongside hardline Republicans and anti-abortion extremists like abortion-banning Governor Brian Kemp, former House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senator Marsha Blackburn.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.

MSNBC: Larry Hogan’s ‘Independent’ Pitch Comes with an Asterisk in Maryland

September 12, 2024

By Steve Benen

• The National Republican Senatorial Committee — the entity within the party responsible for electing Republican Senate incumbents and candidates — has partnered with Hogan, jointly investing over $1.6 million in support of Hogan since early August.
  
  
• The Maryland Republican has also benefited from fundraising events with prominent conservative officials from his party, including Senate Minority Whip John Thune, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and former House Speaker Paul Ryan.
  
  
• A recent Maryland Matters report added, “On Sept. 12, he’ll be in Nashville, at a fundraiser sponsored by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) and former Gov. Bill Haslam (R), along with former U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Bill Frist, the one-time Senate GOP leader. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is listed as the featured speaker.”
  
  
• Are these Republican officials trying to propel Hogan past Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks because they believe he’ll be an “independent” vote in the Senate? Or is it more likely they’re counting on Hogan to strengthen his party’s increasingly conservative Senate conference? Chances are, it’s the latter.