Former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has long been a critic of former President Donald Trump, leading some to speculate that he may challenge Trump for their party's 2024 presidential nomination.
However, the former governor recently made clear that he is withdrawing his name from consideration.
According to Fox News, Hogan made that declaration this past weekend during an appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation.
"I did give it serious consideration, and I talked to people everywhere, and I talked to my family, and it was a tough decision, but I’ve decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president," Hogan said.
"It’s really mostly about the country and about the party," Hogan continued. "The personal decision – it was like, I didn’t need that job."
"I didn’t need to run for another office," the former governor insisted. "I was considering it because I thought it was a public service, and maybe I could make a difference."
Hogan then went to argue that his presence in the race would only reduce the likelihood of Trump facing a genuine threat.
"I didn’t want to have a pileup of a bunch of people fighting," he explained. "Right now, you have Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field soaking up all of the oxygen, getting all of the attention."
"And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits. And the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up," Hogan pointed out.
Hogan reiterated that message on Twitter, saying the GOP "must move on from Donald Trump" and that "the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup."
We must move on from Donald Trump. There are several competent Republican leaders who have the potential to step up and lead. But the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup that could potentially help Trump recapture the nomination. pic.twitter.com/cPwne4OKDu
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 5, 2023
The Hill reported that Trump "easily won" a straw poll conducted this weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
While giving a speech to CPAC attendees, Trump promised to deliver "retribution" on behalf of those who have been "wronged and betrayed."
President Trump: "In 2016, I declared, 'I am your voice.' Today I add: I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution!" pic.twitter.com/E3Cy6S4qFg
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 4, 2023
