Union representing Port of Baltimore longshoremen endorses Larry Hogan

A union representing longshoremen at the Port of Baltimore endorsed Republican Larry Hogan’s U.S. Senate bid on Monday, the first labor endorsement of the former governor since last week’s primary.

The endorsement of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333 came as the port seeks to recover from business lost after a container ship struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. The port has since been able to receive only limited vessel traffic.

Local 333 President Scott Cowan, who met last month with Hogan, said in a statement that the former two-term governor demonstrated his commitment to the port during his eight years as governor, which ended in January 2023. Maryland governors are limited to two, four-year terms.

Local 333 represents more than 2,000 port workers.

In Maryland’s May 14 primary, the local endorsed U.S. Rep. David Trone for the Democratic nomination to run for the Senate. Trone lost to Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who now faces Hogan in the November election. Hogan faced no significant primary opposition.

In 2022, Local 333 endorsed Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who was easily elected to a second term.