Md. Gov. Larry Hogan leaves behind an anemic state GOP. Why?

Republican Larry Hogan is one of the most popular governors in modern state history, but the star power never translated into political gains for the Maryland GOP he will leave behind. His sky-high popularity didn’t boost the rest of the state’s Republican Party, which suffered consistent down-ballot losses during his two terms — by moderates and by Trump-style firebrands. His handpicked successor lost a primary this year to a backbench freshman state delegate. After a bruising Election Day, party leaders say there’s no robust bench to build the Maryland GOP back up. Hogan, who is weighing a presidential run on the strength of his brand of pragmatic conservatism, had raised millions for Maryland Republicans and attracted national attention.