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Hogan celebrates one year in office, plans for seven more Hogan celebrates first year in office, makes clear he wants seven more
(about 5 hours later)
Stephen Skippen went to the campaign rallies for Change Maryland two years ago and partied at the inaugural ball for Gov. Larry Hogan (R) last January. Stephen Skippen went to the campaign rallies that Change Maryland held for Republican Larry Hogan two years ago and partied at Hogan’s inaugural ball last January.
“I guess I’m still celebrating,” said Skippen, 37, of Crofton Thursday night as he stood in a long, winding line to get a free drink at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. “I guess I’m still celebrating,” said the 37-year-old Crofton resident said Thursday night as he stood in a long, winding line to get a free drink at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
Skippen was one of about 1,200 people who crammed into a large room at the stadium to mark the one-year anniversary of Hogan’s inauguration as Maryland’s 62nd governor.Skippen was one of about 1,200 people who crammed into a large room at the stadium to mark the one-year anniversary of Hogan’s inauguration as Maryland’s 62nd governor.
And by the sound of Hogan’s speech, Skippen may be in party mode for quite a while.And by the sound of Hogan’s speech, Skippen may be in party mode for quite a while.
“We’re moving Maryland forward,” said Hogan, sounding like a politician on the campaign trail. “We are making progress. We are just getting started. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”“We’re moving Maryland forward,” said Hogan, sounding like a politician on the campaign trail. “We are making progress. We are just getting started. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
After reviewing his first year in office, talking about toll reductions and cuts in taxes and fees, Hogan said, “if we can get all these things done in just one year while dealing with the riots and battling cancer, just imagine what we can accomplish together over the next seven years.”After reviewing his first year in office, talking about toll reductions and cuts in taxes and fees, Hogan said, “if we can get all these things done in just one year while dealing with the riots and battling cancer, just imagine what we can accomplish together over the next seven years.”
Hogan, who is widely popular in the heavily-Democratic Maryland, placed an emphasis on the word “seven.”Hogan, who is widely popular in the heavily-Democratic Maryland, placed an emphasis on the word “seven.”
It was the first time the former real estate executive has made a definitive statement about seeking a second term, a feat not achieved by a Republican governor in Maryland in nearly 60 years.
[Hogan sworn in as Maryland’s governor][Hogan sworn in as Maryland’s governor]
It was the first time Hogan has made a definitive statement about seeking a second term, a feat never achieved by a Republican governor in Maryland since the Civil War. The crowd, which included House Majority Leader Nicholaus Kipke (R-Anne Arundel), Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Queen Anne’s) and lobbyist Bruce Berano, erupted.
The crowd erupted. Hogan’s speech capped off a three-hour free event, hosted by Change Maryland, the grassroots organization Hogan started during the tenure of his predecessor, Democrat Martin O’Malley, to protest tax and fee increases and promote a different vision for the state.
The speech capped off a three-hour free event, hosted by Change Maryland, Hogan’s grass-roots campaign, to celebrate Hogan’s first year in office. Recent polls show that Marylanders overwhelmingly approve of the job Hogan has done over the past year. He received a 61 percent approval rating in a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll in October.
Partygoers spent the evening listening to a live band singing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and James Brown’s “I Feel Good” and other classics while chomping down on hamburger sliders, buffalo wings, chips, and vegetables with dip. Patrick Murray, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said Hogan may be popular now, but he has three more years as governor.
Big projection screens switched back and forth between video clips of election night and his inauguration day. Large posters hung overhead with photos of Hogan, his wife and family and Lt. Boyd Rutherford taken on the day of the swearing-in. “Pride goeth before the fall,” Murray said. “Three years is an eternity in politics. . . Preparing a second term before showing the people he can govern is premature.”
“I’m watching history,” said Steve Donovan, 58, a businessman from Queen Anne’s County, who started sending $25 and $50 checks into Change Maryland about three years ago, as he listened to the video presentation. Murray said Democrats are building a “strong statewide grassroots campaign” for 2016, which should set the stage for a strong challenge to Hogan in 2018.
“I’ve been a Maryland resident my whole life and it just wasn’t working,” Donovan said, explaining his frustration with Annapolis and his support of the grass-roots group that catapulted Hogan to the governor’s seat. “We needed change.” Partygoers spent Thursday evening listening to a live band sing classics such as Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” while chowing down on hamburger sliders, buffalo wings, chips and vegetables with dip.
Big projection screens alternated between video clips of election night and Hogan’s inauguration day. Large posters overhead showed photos of Hogan, his wife and family and Lt. Boyd Rutherford taken on the day of the swearing-in.
“I’m watching history,” said Steve Donovan, 58, a businessman from Queen Anne’s County, who started sending $25 and $50 checks to Change Maryland about three years ago.
“I’ve been a Maryland resident my whole life, and it just wasn’t working,” Donovan said, explaining his frustration with Annapolis before Hogan was elected. “We needed change.”