Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday warned Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan against a primary challenge against President Trump in 2020, and said there’s no way he can defeat the sitting president.
“He’s done an amazing job in Maryland. He’s only the second Republican in the history of Maryland to be re-elected governor. He’s an extraordinary talent,” Christie said of Hogan. “But if he asked me my opinion today, I’d say to him don’t do it because I don’t see a pathway to winning.”
“There are no circumstances at the moment where I think Hogan can win. As a result, I would tell Hogan, ‘Don’t run.’ That’s what I would tell him,” Christie said.
[Opinion: The challenge for any 2020 primary challenge to Trump]
Christie pointed to the president’s popularity with Republicans, 80 percent of which back Trump. That gives Hogan little room to launch a campaign. When asked if he could see him doing it if the president’s popularity fell to around 60 percent in the party, Christie said Hogan wouldn’t be alone in considering a bid.
“Well, then lots of people would be thinking it,” Christie said.
“You’re asking me now with two people I really consider both to be dear friends. Not political friends. So you know what? I’m not deciding the question right now,” Christie said when asked who he would support in a hypothetical primary.
“In the end of the day, I don’t believe Larry’s going to run. I know Larry well. I don’t believe Larry’s going to run just because of the circumstances that are here right now,” Christie said.
Hogan has been kicking the tires on a potential run against the president after winning re-election to the governor’s mansion in 2018, where he won by a 12 percent margin in one of the most Democratic states in the country.
