Between Steele’s oft-repeated ideas that his party is seized by racism, misogyny, and white nationalism and his preferred venue for leveling those charges — MSNBC, the media outlet at which the former lieutenant governor was a paid contributor from 2003-2007 — some Maryland Republicans are having a difficult time comprehending why he would ask GOP voters for assistance. These questions are emphasized by the fact the bid for the state’s highest office is up for grabs in a closed primary in which he could run as an independent or even a Democrat.
Like Steele, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has denounced former President Donald Trump and has admitted never voting for him in 2016 or 2020 — yet it has not reduced his reputation among Republicans in his state. Yet unlike Steele, Hogan did not vote for Biden and has not painted his party with a broad, negative brush that went beyond Trump to hold Republicans in Congress and GOP voters.
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“If his plan over the past couple of years was to run for governor as a Republican, he’s gone about it in an odd way,” declared Maryland Republican Party Chairman Dirk Haire, who is neutral in primary contests. “And, I don’t just mean his comments on President Trump. In several settings, he’s made derogatory comments on rank-and-file Republicans.”
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Steele, 62, is exploring a run for governor in 2022, likely to make the ultimate decision on whether to mount a campaign by early November.
For now, Steele is traveling the state, fielding public opinion surveys, and engaging in other activities to decide if his candidacy is viable. On Tuesday, a spokesman for Steele fired back at GOP critics who say the former Maryland lieutenant governor has forfeited his right to ask Republicans for their vote because he has been mostly critical of the party since Trump won the party’s presidential nomination in 2016.
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“I think they’re dead wrong,” stated Jim Dornan, the Republican strategist leading Steele’s exploratory effort. “Michael Steele has not changed his views as to what it means to be a Republican or conservative.”
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Steele made a name for himself as Republican National Committee chairman, a position his GOP counterparts elected him to a few years after his stint as lieutenant governor and as former President Barack Obama assumed office. As RNC chairman, Steele was mercilessly critical of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, then in her first stint with the gavel. At RNC headquarters, adjacent to Capitol Hill, every window showcased a “Fire Pelosi” placard.
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