Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) endorsed former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, saying he is “just the right person” for the job.
Manchin, a former moderate Democrat who filed as an independent this year, showed enthusiasm for Hogan’s campaign and its embrace of moderate politics this election cycle.
“Forget about being a Democrat or Republican,” Manchin said, according to DC News Now. “Larry Hogan is just the right person with the right attitude for the job.”
Speaking from Hagerstown, Md., Manchin said Hogan won’t be controlled by “any party or any type of ideology.”
Hogan has moved to the middle throughout his campaign, particularly on abortion, where he has called himself “pro-choice.” He also drew the wrath of former President Trump after saying Americans should “respect” the guilty verdict in his New York hush money case.
In a statement to The Hill, Hogan’s campaign said the former governor “deeply appreciates Sen. Manchin’s friendship and is running for the Senate because we need more independent leaders like him who are truly committed to putting country over party.”
The former governor is up against Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) in the race for the Senate seat.
Recent polling found Hogan trailing Alsobrooks by 5 points. Hogan enjoys name recognition and high favorability ratings among voters, though more still say they are supporting Alsobrooks’s bid.
According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average, Alsobrooks has a 4.3 percentage point lead over Hogan.
The Hill has reached out to Hogan’s campaign for comment.
Updated Sept. 13 at 8:25 a.m. EDT