Top Republicans in Washington have once again tried — and failed — to recruit former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to run for Senate.

“The governor reiterated that he has never been interested in the Senate,” a source told us. https://t.co/1cCn0fZV4Y

— POLITICO (@politico) March 24, 2023

Though Hogan would be a prized recruit, Maryland is by no means a must-win state for Republicans as they seek to flip the Senate chamber. There are several more promising targets, with Democratic incumbents running in Republican-leaning states.

One reason that political insiders are watching Maryland’s Senate race is that many expect Sen. Ben Cardin, who is 79, to retire. Cardin said in January that he is undecided on a re-election bid. As of the end of last year, he only had $1 million on hand, according to campaign finance filings.

[Hogan would make sense as a recruit if Cardin retired, but governors don’t tend to fit into Congress all that well. They’re used to exercising power individually rather than legislate as one of 100 in the chamber. Hogan already turned down the opportunity against Chris Van Hollen last year, but fighting against a sitting incumbent would have been impossible. If Cardin retires, it would be easier — but still a steep hill to climb for any Republican in deep-blue Maryland. — Ed]