Republican Larry Hogan on Thursday revealed he would support codifying abortion rights into federal law, a move seemingly aimed at blunting Democratic accusations that the Maryland Senate candidate could give the GOP the power to pass a federal abortion ban.

Hogan called himself “pro-choice” in an interview with the New York Times, marking a stark departure from his previous position of deflecting on proposals to protect the procedure while opposing laws that restrict it.

“I support restoring Roe as the law of the land,” the former two-term governor said, a reference to federal abortion rights under Roe v. Wade that were overturned last year. “I’ll continue to protect the rights of women to make their own reproductive choices just like I did as governor for eight years. I think Marylanders know and trust that when I give them my word, I’m going to keep it, and I’ve protected these rights before. And I’ll do it again in the Senate by supporting a bipartisan compromise to restore Roe as the law of the land.”

As governor, Hogan vetoed expanded abortion access in Maryland but said he will vote for a ballot initiative this fall to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

Hogan foreshadowed the policy stance during a Tuesday night speech to supporters after gliding to victory in the Republican Senate primary.

“To the women of Maryland, you have my word that I will continue to protect your right to make your own reproductive health decisions just like I did for eight years when I had the honor and privilege to serve as your governor,” he said.

The contentious issue has the potential to galvanize Democratic voters for Hogan’s opponent, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and present a roadblock for Hogan as he attempts to make inroads with centrists.

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Alsobrooks and other Democrats who once praised his bipartisanship and anti-Trump views have painted the Republican as a “MAGA” stooge who would give Senate control to the GOP and pave the way for further abortion restrictions.

“Larry Hogan has already shown us and told us he is not going to protect abortion rights,” Alsobrooks tweeted Thursday prior to Hogan’s announcement. “And the Republicans he’d be joining in the Senate have made their agenda crystal clear.”