Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has won the Republican nomination in the closely watched race for the state’s open Senate seat, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. 

Hogan is vying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), whose plans to leave the upper chamber after three terms in the role kicked off a competitive Democratic primary in the Old Line State. 

Hogan made a surprise entry into the race earlier this year, fueling Republican hopes of a strong showing in the blue-leaning state. 

On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone (Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks were battling in a closely watched primary for their party nod, with Alsobrooks prevailing in the Democratic contest.

Senate Republicans quickly began their pivot toward the general election matchup after Alsobrooks’s win was announced.

“The contrast in this race could not be clearer. Angela Alsobrooks underfunded law enforcement while crime is skyrocketing in her county,” Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chair of the Senate GOP campaign arm, said in a statement. 

“For eight years, Governor Hogan delivered results for Maryland by reaching across the aisle. Marylanders know they can trust Governor Hogan to keep their communities safe and achieve results in Washington.” 

Hogan, who launched a $1 million ad buy in Maryland last month, would be the first Republican to serve as a senator from the state since the mid-1980s.

“It’s time we stop the partisan BS and get stuff done,” Hogan said in a recent ad lamenting that “Republicans and Democrats are arguing all the time and nothing gets done” in D.C. 

Hogan had briefly been seen as a possible third-party presidential race contender with No Labels, the bipartisan political group that aimed to form a unity bid for 2024 — of which Hogan was a former chair. 

The Republican said earlier this year that he would not vote for former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, in November, but would seek a third-party alternative instead.