‘He doesn’t need them’: Larry Hogan’s Senate run will be independent of Maryland GOP

Former Gov. Larry Hogan enters race for U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Ben Cardin .

Maryland Republican Party has had no interaction with Hogan in recent years .

Hogan is among Maryland Republican stalwarts estranged from state party apparatus.

Democrats hold a narrow, 51 -49 Senate majority and will be challenged to hold on to the chamber in November .