Larry Hogan
Larry Hogan (born May 25, 1956) is an American politician and businessman, best known as the moderate Republican who served as Governor of Maryland from 2015 to 2023. Explore his biography, political style, achievements, controversies, and influence.
Introduction
Lawrence Joseph Hogan Jr. (“Larry Hogan”) is an American politician, businessman, and public figure, notable for his tenure as the 62nd Governor of Maryland (2015–2023).
Hogan is distinctive in modern U.S. politics as a Republican who often adopted moderate, bipartisan positions, especially significant given Maryland’s strongly Democratic lean. Over his two terms as governor, he gained a reputation for pragmatism, veto use, and attempts to govern the state from the center.
After leaving the governor’s office (due to term limits), he positioned himself for national relevance and, in 2024, launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maryland.
Early Life & Education
-
Hogan was born May 25, 1956 in Washington, D.C.
-
His father was Lawrence Hogan Sr., a U.S. Representative, who was known for being one of the first Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee to support Richard Nixon’s impeachment.
-
Hogan attended Catholic high schools in Maryland and Florida, then went to Florida State University, where he studied government and political science and graduated in 1978.
-
After college, he worked in politics: on Capitol Hill and in support of his father’s campaigns.
Before entering high-level elective politics, Hogan built a career in business:
-
He founded The Hogan Companies, a real estate brokerage, consulting, investment, and development firm.
-
From 2003 to 2007, he served as Maryland’s Secretary of Appointments under Governor Bob Ehrlich.
Political Rise & Governorship
Path to Governor
-
Hogan founded a grassroots organization called Change Maryland in 2011, framing himself as an outsider reformer fed up with entrenched politics.
-
In 2014, he ran for governor and won, despite being a Republican in a state with a far greater number of Democratic voters.
-
His running mate was Boyd Rutherford, who served as Lieutenant Governor during both of Hogan’s terms.
Governance Style & Achievements
-
Hogan is often characterized as a moderate Republican or “pragmatist.”
-
During his governorship, the Maryland General Assembly was controlled by Democrats with veto-proof majorities, which limited Hogan’s ability to push legislation. He responded by frequently vetoing bills he deemed excessive or improperly structured.
-
He tended not to personally testify before the legislature on bills he proposed, a departure from prior governors’ practices.
-
On policy, some notable areas:
-
Environment & Infrastructure: Hogan emphasized cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, managing sedimentation at Conowingo Dam, and tackling pollution from upstream states.
-
Transportation & Congestion: He proposed expanding Maryland’s I-495 and I-270 with additional toll and high-occupancy lanes (sometimes called “Lexus lanes”), though the proposals were controversial.
-
Education & Charter Schools: He supported expanded authority for charter schools, funding changes, and scholarship programs for low-income students.
-
COVID-19 Response: Hogan declared a state of emergency early, closed schools, procured test kits, set up mass vaccination sites, and used the National Guard in managing logistics.
-
-
He served as Chair of the National Governors Association from July 2019 to August 2020.
Challenges & Criticisms
-
Some criticized Hogan for approving or supporting contracts or subsidies that benefited business clients or family-related properties, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
-
Because Democrats held the state legislature, many of his priorities were blocked or significantly scaled back.
-
His expansion proposals for roads and toll lanes were controversial, with local opposition citing displacement, cost, and equity issues.
-
In his later years as governor, ethical scrutiny intensified over land development approvals tied to Hogan family property.
Post-Governorship & Senate Run
-
Hogan was term-limited in 2023 and did not run for re-election.
-
He served as co-chair of No Labels, a centrist political organization, from 2020 until 2023.
-
In 2024, he launched a bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, entering a race to succeed retiring Senator Ben Cardin.
-
His Senate campaign emphasizes transcending partisan divides, positioning himself as someone who can appeal both to Republican voters and independents or moderate Democrats.
-
Notably, Hogan has consistently declined to support Donald Trump in presidential elections. In 2016, he wrote in his father’s name; in 2020, he wrote in Ronald Reagan.
-
In September 2024, Hogan confirmed he would not vote for Trump, even after Trump’s endorsement of his Senate bid.
Personality & Political Identity
Larry Hogan’s political brand is built on moderation, bipartisanship, and institutional respect. He often positions himself as a counter to partisanship and polarization.
He leans more conservative on fiscal issues, but has at times adopted centrist or moderate positions on social and institutional questions. He’s known for being a “governor first,” prioritizing governance over ideological purity.
His independent stance, criticisms of extremes within his party, and willingness to work across the aisle have won him popularity in a Democratic-leaning state, but have also drawn ire from more partisan figures.
Key Quotes & Statements
-
While not particularly known for pithy aphorisms, Hogan has repeatedly emphasized:
“I don’t view politics as red versus blue — I view it as red, white, and blue.”
-
He has often framed his goals as restoring functionality over factionalism, calling for “leaders who put country over party.”
-
During his governorship, he defended vetoes with statements about fiscal discipline, limiting waste, and curbing unchecked legislative expansion.
-
On Trump: he has been openly critical, saying he would have voted to convict if he were in the Senate during the impeachment trial.
Lessons & Reflections
-
Moderation in polarized eras
Hogan’s career suggests that being a moderate — carefully balancing partisanship and pragmatism — can yield electoral success even in tough territory, though it also poses risks of criticism from both sides. -
Governor as veto power
In a legislature controlled by the opposite party, a governor’s veto power becomes one of the few levers of influence. Hogan used it swiftly and often. -
Branding beyond party
Hogan’s effort to run as a reformer (Change Maryland) and as “never base politics on party alone” shows the power of identity and narratives in political campaigns. -
Transitions from state to federal
His move to run for Senate highlights challenges for former governors stepping into legislative roles — different skills, coalition demands, and greater national attention. -
Ethics & scrutiny intensify
As public figures ascend, business interests, property dealings, and family ties draw more scrutiny. Hogan’s later controversies show the importance of transparency and conflict-management.