Surging gas taxes expected to be political weapon in Maryland politics

Candidates for governor wielded divergent views on Maryland’s looming gas tax hike like a cudgel this week, seeking to score points with voters ahead of a July primary while those in a position to bring relief stood by. The 18 percent increase, scheduled to automatically occur in July, divided the crowded Democratic field as Republican candidates capitalized on economic discontent. That’s a strategy that political experts noted smoothed a path to victory in two elections for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in a deeply Democratic state.