Donald Trump reserved his bragging rights after he won Maryland’s proxy battle against outgoing governor Larry Hogan. The former President’s pick — Dan Cox — won the Republican primary for Maryland’s governor on Tuesday. He bested Kelly Schulz, who was endorsed by Hogan.

Trump and Hogan have locked horns before, mostly over claims of rigged elections and COVID-19 protocols. Dan Cox, 47, has often echoed what Trump has said before. 

Also Read: In Maryland primary, a 2024 proxy battle brews between Donald Trump, Larry Hogan

After Dan Cox’s victory was announced, Trump released a statement. He said, “RINO Larry Hogan’s Endorsement doesn’t seem to be working out so well for his heavily favored candidate. Next, I’d love to see Larry run for President!”, according to reports from Associated Press.

Cox secured 132,341 votes in Tuesday’s election. His opponent, Kelly Schulz, had 40.3%, or 94,772 votes.

Cox joins Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania and Darren Bailey in Illinois as ultraconservative state legislators endorsed by Trump who has gone on to win their Republican nominations for governor. All three fought against their governors’ COVID-19 policies, staunchly oppose abortion rights and raised questions about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Governor Larry Hogan has not publicly spoken about Kelly Schulz’s loss on Tuesday. 

Dan Cox’s win, however, was something Democrats were hoping for. The Democratic Governors Association plowed more than $1 million behind an ad intended to boost Cox, seeing him as an easier opponent in November.

Also Read: US primaries: Maryland voters set House Democrats vs GOP clash for midterms

In one of the earliest called races of the night, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen beat a primary challenge just months after suffering a minor stroke. He is favored in November to win a second term against Republican Chris Chaffee, who launched a failed congressional bid in 2014.

Cox’s victory on Tuesday serves as a win for Trump, who has a mixed endorsement record in this year’s midterm elections. But in such a heavily Democratic state, his candidate faces an uphill battle heading into the fall.