Former Maryland Lt. Gov. and Republican MSNBC commentator Michael Steele won't run for governor

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele said Monday that he won’t run for Maryland governor, but will remain part of the national political conversation and wants to see the GOP better define what it stands for.

“I made the decision to stand down this round,” said Steele, a Republican commentator on MSNBC and ardent critic of former President Donald Trump, also a Republican.

“It’s not something the family wants me to do right now,” the Prince George’s County resident said in an interview. “My wife has never been a big fan of the political landscape. At the end of the day, you can’t be governor without the first lady.”

Steele’s decision leaves Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz and Del. Dan Cox as the most prominent Republicans in the June 28 primary election field. Schulz, a former Republican delegate from Frederick County and a longtime member of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s cabinet, is transitioning out of the post this month to mount her campaign. Cox is a conservative who has received Trump’s endorsement.

Read more: https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-michael-steele-governor-20220104-ntbacbje7zhpxa2p76syt56gnq-story.html