Gov races are different than Senate races…but Maryland Dems clearly learned something from Hogan’s reelection in 2018.
They nominated a candidate who:
✅has broad ideological appeal
✅built positive, cooperative relationships with the overwhelming majority of elected MD Dems. They basically all campaigned for her.
✅could stay on and drive a message
✅could could neutralize Hogan’s personal popularity without alienating voters who cast a ballot for him.
✅effectively tied Hogan to national GOP policies instead of trying to make voters believe he was just like Trump.