Republicans shun battleground Senate candidate urging GOP to ‘accept’ Trump verdict

Former Maryland Governor and Republican candidate for senate Larry Hogan faced criticism from fellow Republicans for his comments about former President Donald Trump’s criminal conviction on Thursday. 

“The former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree on Thursday after two days of jury deliberations. 

“Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders—regardless of party—must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” Hogan posted on X. 

“We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law,” he said. 

LEGAL EXPERTS SAY TRUMP CONVICTION IS A ‘TARGET RICH ENVIRONMENT’ FOR APPEAL

Then-Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks at the Maryland statehouse, Jan. 10, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Chris LaCivita, senior advisor to the former president and his campaign, responded to the post saying, ” You just ended your campaign.” 

Hogan, a moderate former two-term Republican governor, is vying to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin in blue-state Maryland.

JURY REACHES VERDICT IN NY V. TRUMP TRIAL

Donald Trump arrives to Trump Tower, Thursday, May 30, 2024 after being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. (Felipe Ramales for Fox News Digital)

Fox News’ reported Thursday that NRSC chairman Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., will continue his support of Hogan despite his comments about Trump – the presumptive GOP nominee for president.

TRUMP SAYS GUILTY VERDICT IS A ‘SCAR’ ON NEW YORK JUSTICE SYSTEM, VOWS TO ‘KEEP FIGHTING’

Former President Donald Trump appears in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in New York. Jury deliberations in Donald Trumps criminal hush money trial enter a second day as jurors navigate the weighty task of evaluating the former presidents guilt and innocence alongside the facts of the case.  (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)

“I still think Larry Hogan will flip Maryland. Larry Hogan is gonna run his campaign. Run his race. President Trump will run his race. I thought that the trial was a complete sham,” Daines told Fox News.

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The donation site for WinRed, the GOP donation platform, malfunctioned on Thursday apparently because of an overwhelming amount of visitors. LaCivita posted on X, “If you are one of the millions of American Patriots wanting to donate to Donald Trump’s campaign and you get an error message from [WinRed] don’t give up! Log back on and try again.” 

Fox News’ Aisha Hasnie contributed to this report.