New Poll Cements Maryland MAGA Primary for Gov as Far-Right Loyalty Contest to Donald Trump

Poll Finds Cox Leads Schulz 52-18% When GOP Primary Voters Know He’s Endorsed by Trump

In yet another sign that the Maryland Republican primary will be a far-right sprint dominated by Donald Trump loyalty contests, a new poll from Public Policy Polling shows Trump-endorsed Dan Cox beating Kelly Schulz in a head-to-head match up.

The poll also shows that when respondents are informed of Donald Trump’s endorsement of Cox and Larry Hogan’s endorsement of Schulz, Cox’s lead grows to a massive 34 points (52-18), while Hogan’s endorsement of Schulz can’t even get her to 20%.

Stephen Farnsworth with University of Mary Washington told Maryland Matters: “It’s clear that Donald Trump continues to drive the narrative within the Republican Party.”

However, Schulz has remained silent on almost every major issue and the Republican litmus tests driving the primary, like whether she thinks the election was stolen. As a result, it’s not surprising 74% of Republican primary voters do not have an opinion of her.

Meanwhile, Dan Cox’s extreme record — including notoriously organizing buses to the Capitol on January 6th and calling Mike Pence a “traitor” — have made him the pacesetter in this primary, as the poll also shows 61% of GOP primary voters agree with Trump’s false claim that President Biden was not legitimately elected.

“While Democrats focus on making life better for working families, this poll confirms that Maryland’s Republican primary is only about loyalty to Trump and his toxic agenda,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “If Silent Schulz wants a shot at beating Trump-endorsed Dan Cox, she’ll have to come out of hiding and actually let Marylanders know where she stands. But unfortunately for her, the far-right positions needed to get by in this Republican primary will put her deeply out-of-touch with the overwhelming majority of Marylanders.”