Larry Hogan might not be running for Senate this year but for a letter he received in early January.
The popular former Republican governor of Maryland had rebuffed years of entreaties and lobbying from a parade of powerful Republicans.
Once Mr. Hogan had cracked open what had seemed a shut door, Mr. Thacker quickly informed his boss of his personal outreach, setting in motion a frantic three-week sprint of private meetings and polling.
Mr. Hogan ultimately made a dramatic surprise entrance into the race hours before a Feb. 9 filing deadline.
The decision delivered a genuine jolt to a Senate landscape that was already heavily tilted toward Republicans in 2024.
Persons:
Larry Hogan, Hogan, Darin Thacker, Thacker
Organizations:
Senate, Republican
Locations:
Maryland, Annapolis