Maryland Republicans pick far-right, Trump-endorsed legislator Dan Cox in gubernatorial primary


Dan Cox, a far-right Maryland state legislator, won Tuesday's Republican primary to replace term-limited Gov. Larry Hogan (R), The Associated Press projects. Hogan had endorsed his former labor secretary, Kelly Schulz, a fellow Republican moderate, while former President Donald Trump had backed Cox, who "has made outlandish claims about the 2020 election and called Vice President Mike Pence 'a traitor' during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol," The New York Times reports.
Schulz, before the race was called for Cox, told supporters she "will continue to fight for" her Republican Party, "the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and John McCain."
Cox's primary victory is a win for Trump in his bid to demonstrate his enduring influence in the Republican Party, but it "could be a blow to Republican chances to hold on to the seat in November," AP notes. His candidacy got a controversial boost from the Democratic Governors Association, which spent more than $1 million on TV ads for the Trump-backed Republican.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cox, the Times adds, "will be a heavy underdog in the general election against the candidate who prevails in Maryland's Democratic primary," a tight race between former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Oprah-endorsed author Wes Moore, and state Comptroller Peter Franchot.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants