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Hogan celebrates first year in office, makes clear he wants 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 that Change Maryland held for Republican Larry Hogan two years ago and partied at Hogan’s inaugural ball 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 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. “I guess I’m still celebrating,” 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 heavily Democratic Maryland, placed an emphasis on the word “seven.”Hogan, who is widely popular in 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.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]
The crowd, which included House Minority Leader Nicholaus R. Kipke (R-Anne Arundel), Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Kent) and lobbyist Bruce Berano, erupted.The crowd, which included House Minority Leader Nicholaus R. Kipke (R-Anne Arundel), Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Kent) and lobbyist Bruce Berano, erupted.
Hogan’s speech capped off a three-hour free event, hosted by Change Maryland, the grass-roots 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.Hogan’s speech capped off a three-hour free event, hosted by Change Maryland, the grass-roots 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.
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.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.
Patrick Murray, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said Hogan may be popular now, but he has three more years as governor.Patrick Murray, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said Hogan may be popular now, but he has three more years as governor.
“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.”“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.”
Murray said Democrats are building a “strong statewide grass-roots campaign” for 2016, which should set the stage for a strong challenge to Hogan in 2018.Murray said Democrats are building a “strong statewide grass-roots campaign” for 2016, which should set the stage for a strong challenge to Hogan in 2018.
Projection screens at Thursday’s party alternated between video clips of election night and Hogan’s inauguration day. Large posters showed photos of Hogan, his wife and family and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford taken on the day of the swearing-in.Projection screens at Thursday’s party alternated between video clips of election night and Hogan’s inauguration day. Large posters showed photos of Hogan, his wife and family and Lt. Gov. 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’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.”“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.”