Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is looking to expand his influence within the Republican Party following the GOP’s devastating midterm losses, arguing that the party needs a different kind of leadership after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress.

Hogan, who has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since losing his 2024 Senate campaign, told the Washington Examiner on Thursday that he wants to join discussions about the party’s future and help identify a new leader who can take Republicans in a different direction.

"We have to find, I think, a different kind of a leader. And I don’t know who that is,” Hogan said. “But I want to be part of the discussion to try to help find that person that I think is going to take us in a different direction from the failed group that’s now in charge. There’s no way you could say, ‘Hey, we’ve been doing great.’”

Hogan made the remarks following an event with former Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe at the Ronald Reagan Institute in Washington. The former governor has long advocated for a more centrist approach to Republican politics and has frequently criticized President Donald Trump.

Hogan said he believes Republicans who previously remained quiet about disagreements with the president and party leadership are now more willing to speak out following the election results.

“I used to be like the lone voice in the wilderness,” Hogan said. “But in the past two days, there have been 100 Republicans going, ‘Yeah, I’m not part of that mess. Let me talk about how we’re going to be different.’”

The former governor also pointed to the changing political landscape in Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is not expected to continue leading Republicans in the House after Democrats take control, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is expected to remain in leadership as the party moves into the minority.

Hogan praised Thune but suggested the South Dakota senator and other Republican lawmakers should speak out more about policies they privately oppose.

“I admire John Thune. I think he’s been a good leader,” Hogan said. “But I’m hoping he’ll be one of the ones that stands up and starts to speak out more. I think he disagreed with a lot of the policies. It’s like so many other members of the Senate and the House and governors, who just wouldn’t say it. And now, I think they all can speak out.”

Hogan's renewed involvement in Republican politics comes after he previously said he would not seek elected office again. He lost his 2024 Senate race to Democrat Angela Alsobrooks by nearly 12 percentage points, despite arguing during the campaign that he could bring a more moderate approach to the Senate.

In May, Hogan announced the creation of the Hogan Institute at Washington College in Maryland, where he plans to focus on developing future leaders and promoting reforms such as open primaries and restrictions on partisan gerrymandering. He has also taken positions on corporate boards and said he intends to continue teaching rather than pursue another political campaign.

However, Hogan made clear Thursday that stepping away from electoral politics does not mean abandoning efforts to influence the Republican Party.

“I want to try to help fix it if I can,” Hogan said. “I’ve never been shy about saying what I think. That’s not going to change. But I’m hoping I can find someone to get behind that I think is going to take the party in a different direction.”

Hogan's comments place him among Republicans seeking a reassessment of the party's leadership and strategy after the midterm defeats. His vision emphasizes a more centrist direction, while other Republicans have argued that the party should retain the political coalition and policies associated with Trump's movement. The debate over the GOP's future is expected to intensify as potential candidates begin positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential election.