Maryland, My Maryland

Da Balmer Sun, Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox calls for impeachment of Maryland Gov. Hogan

A Republican Maryland lawmaker who is running for governor took a step Thursday in an attempt to impeach Gov. Larry Hogan, a fellow Republican.

Del. Dan Cox, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump in his own run for governor in 2022, introduced a resolution in the House of Delegates that calls for an impeachment of the governor.

Cox, who represents portions of Carroll and Frederick counties, did not respond to repeated requests for comment on Thursday and was not present for the introduction of the resolution, as the House was operating in a limited-attendance session under coronavirus protocols.

Cox’s resolution calls for the impeachment for alleged “malfeasance in office, misuse of the police power, violations of the separation of powers, theft of the people’s liberty and property, deprivation of the religious liberties of the people, and abuse of power under false pretenses.” Over five pages, it lays out a series of complaints against the governor, from his pandemic health restrictions to a well-publicized purchase of coronavirus test kits from a South Korean company that initially couldn’t be used.

Hogan spokesman Mike Ricci offered a written response to Cox’s resolution: “This guy is known to be a QAnon conspiracy theorist. He has this weird obsession with the governor. Surprised that it took this long, frankly.”

The impeachment effort faces uncertain odds in the General Assembly, even with a large Democratic majority that has frequently criticized Hogan.

I disagree. Hogan, while not the most conservative Republican, to say the least, is more conservative than any of the Democrats who might replace him. His obvious heir is The current Lieutenant Governor is Boyd Rutherford (R) , I had to look him up, which tells you how strong he is.

Remember the Buckley Rule (yes, I'm old enough to have read Buckley: "I’d be for the most right, viable candidate who could win."

Besides, Hogan is term limited, and will be gone at the end of the year. Why go through all the trouble?