Republican Larry Hogan on Thursday revealed he would support codifying abortion rights into federal law, a move seemingly aimed at blunting Democratic accusations that the Maryland Senate candidate could give the GOP the power to pass a federal abortion ban if elected.
Hogan called himself “pro-choice” in an interview with the New York Times, marking a stark departure from his previous position of deflecting on proposals to protect the procedure while opposing laws that restrict it.
“I support restoring Roe as the law of the land,” the former two-term governor said, a reference to federal abortion rights under Roe v. Wade that were overturned last year. “I’ll continue to protect the rights of women to make their own reproductive choices just like I did as governor for eight years. I think Marylanders know and trust that when I give them my word, I’m going to keep it, and I’ve protected these rights before. And I’ll do it again in the Senate by supporting a bipartisan compromise to restore Roe as the law of the land.”
As governor, Hogan vetoed expanded abortion access in Maryland but said he will vote for a ballot initiative this fall to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Hogan foreshadowed the policy stance during a Tuesday night speech to supporters after gliding to victory in the Republican Senate primary.
“To the women of Maryland, you have my word that I will continue to protect your right to make your own reproductive health decisions just like I did for eight years when I had the honor and privilege to serve as your governor,” he said.
The contentious issue has the potential to galvanize Democratic voters for Hogan’s opponent, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and present a roadblock for Hogan as he attempts to make inroads with centrists.
Alsobrooks and other Democrats who once praised his bipartisanship and anti-Trump views have painted the Republican as a “MAGA” stooge who would give Senate control to the GOP and pave the way for further abortion restrictions.
“Larry Hogan is no moderate,” Alsobrooks said in a campaign video posted Thursday prior to Hogan’s announcement. “Time and again, Larry Hogan has refused to support federal protections for abortions rights.”
In her victory speech following a primary upset Tuesday night against Rep. David Trone (D-MD), Alsobrooks insisted that Hogan “will not oppose anti-choice judges, including nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court — even in the wake of the reversal of Roe v. Wade.”
“I’ve never had a litmus test beyond a respect for the law and judicial temperament to make the right decisions, according to the law,” Hogan said in response during the New York Times interview. “I don’t think anybody should be gaming the system or having a litmus test on either side.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) downplayed the significance of Hogan’s position, arguing his vote is not enough to counter the anti-abortion views of his party should it win the majority in November.
“And he’s going to get his whole party there, right? Is that the deal?” Warren told the Washington Examiner of his remarks. “If he thinks that Republican control means we’re going to make Roe v. Wade law of the land, I don’t know what that guy’s smoking, but I bet it’s not legal.”
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The Maryland Democratic Party also slammed Hogan.
“He’s not fooling anyone with this weak attempt to cover up the threat he poses to a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions,” spokesperson Lindsay Reilly said.
