Md. Gov. Endorses Chris Christie For President
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is steering voters to Governor Chris Christie. The New Jersey Republican was in Annapolis Wednesday, where Hogan endorsed Christie's 2016 presidential bid.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on what to expect in this race.
The Hogan/Christie partnership was sealed during Larry Hogan's campaign for governor.
New Jersey's Chris Christie got a welcome back from Maryland voters who remember his campaign crusade for Larry Hogan in the Republican's race for governor.
"My primary mission here today is to officially and enthusiastically endorse Governor Chris Christie for president," Hogan said.
The New Jersey Republican entered the presidential race June 30, adding his name to an already crowded field.
"I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America," he said.
If you want to play Pick your President, a timeline posted on the website Ballotpedia shows which party's hopefuls have entered the 2016 presidential race. There are 15 Republicans and five Democrats. The first entered in March, four in April, six---including Marylanders Ben Carson and Martin O'Malley---in May, seven in June and two so far this month.
"When Larry came to the Governor's Association meeting in Nvoember right after his election, he was sitting on a panel with a number of us who were considering running for president and he immediately endeared himself to his fellow governors by saying, `I have an announcement to make today: I am not running for president,'" Christie said.
Hogan is in the unusual position to rally state support for a Republican in deep Democrat Maryland and to try to steer voters around native son candidate Martin O'Malley.
"And I'm going to do everything in my power to help make that happen," Hogan said.
While a presidential showdown between former Governor Martin O'Malley and Republican Chris Christie may not be likely, a memorable shout out to O'Malley during Hogan's campaign could make it interesting: "Hey, Marty, don't waste your time being nervous. Just get ready to clear out your office and get ready to turn it over to Larry Hogan."
Hogan would say the same about Christie to Democrats in the Oval Office.
Right now, Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush continue to lead the packs in their respective parties.
Hogan is backing Christie over Maryland Republican Ben Carson.