Steele Creates Exploratory Committee for Possible Gubernatorial Bid

[brooklynite]

Source: Maryland Matters

Michael S. Steele, the former lieutenant governor and one-time chairman of the Republican National Committee, has created an exploratory committee ahead of a possible run for governor in 2022.

Jim Dornan, a veteran national Republican strategist who was campaign manager for Ellen R. Sauerbrey during her 1998 run for governor in Maryland, is leading Steele’s exploratory effort. He said Steele expects to decide whether to run sometime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

Steele’s entry into the gubernatorial race would shake up the GOP field, with Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) term-limited in 2022. Kelly M. Schulz, a former state lawmaker who is Hogan’s Commerce secretary, is the establishment favorite so far, and Del. Daniel L. Cox (R-Frederick) recently entered the race as an avatar of the Trump wing of the party. Anti-tax gadfly and frequent candidate Robin Ficker is also running.

Steele may have an uneasy relationship with certain Republicans, due to his longstanding and vocal criticism of President Trump and his regular presence as a commentator on MSNBC, but he is also a charismatic, well-known figure in GOP circles with a long record as a Republican activist in Maryland, dating back to his time in the 1980’s as the leader of the Young Republicans at Johns Hopkins University. He was also chairman of the Maryland Republican Party and the Prince George’s County GOP.

Read more: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/07/22/steele-creates-exploratory-committee-for-possible-gubernatorial-bid/

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Former DNC Chair vs former RNC Chair?

[elleng]

1. Interesting!

[elleng]

2. 'Steele may have an uneasy relationship with certain Republicans,

due to his longstanding and vocal criticism of President Trump and his regular presence as a commentator on MSNBC,' waddya think???!!!

[brooklynite]

3. Based on Governor Hogan's approval ratings, I'd say he's the type they'd like.

[MiniMe]

4. Many things I don't like about Hogan, but he has done a good job with the pandemic

And he did push back against tRump.

[Hoyt]

5. Would hate to see him leave MSNBC, but bet he'd be a good Gov.

[groundloop]

10. But he's a Repub......

Enough said.

[LT Barclay]

6. Hasn't he sorted out what the Republican base is yet?

Maybe the "exploratory committee" can bring that back to him and help him get a clue.

[Hekate]

7. "Steele's entry into the gubernatorial race would shake up the GOP field" ,,,

I’d miss his presence on MSNBC, as I find him intelligent & interesting — but it sure will be intriguing to see what the exploratory exercise turns up. Are there enough Never Trumpers & Former Trumpers to bring this off? We shall see.

[msongs]

8. just another trump humper republican who mildy tsk tsk'd on the sidelines nt

[rpannier]

9. Michael Steele the man who said a million dollars isn't a lot of money

when they were talking about raising taxes on people who make 500k or more a year (back in 2010)
And he faulted those who lost their home for losing them; because you know, "They were treating them like piggy banks."