Republicans could learn a lot from Hogan.  Who chose not to focus on issues like abortion and gun control, which he deemed 'already decided'.  He also started his campaign a full two years before the election with Change Maryland.  He focused on an issue that was absolutely devastating to his opponent - high taxation.


Here in Virginia Ed Gillespie ran for Senate against incumbent Mark Warner.  I think Sarvis played spoiler.  In 2008 Jim Gilmore stood no chance of winning the election.  Sarvis managed to draw more votes than the Libertarian and Green party combined in 2008, but nowhere near his numbers for the governor's race in 2013.  Still, the election was far closer than anybody predicted it to be.   What really hurt Gillespie though was that he was virtually an unknown.  To make matters worse Republicans didn't bring him the support that he needed.  Of course Warner was a bit too complacent as well.  He was comfortable sitting in his seat, and didn't do much to keep it.  

 

I think it'll ultimately be difficult for the typically blue state of Maryland to see the same results for Senate as it did for the Governor's race.  Duplicating Hogan's results would require a combination of things that I don't think they'll get.  If they're going to achieve it, they'd need to start now.

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