Hogan sworn in as Maryland’s next governor

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) took office Wednesday calling for a new era of bipartisan cooperation, even as he declared that Maryland fell short economically under the policies imposed by Democratic leaders.

Hogan, an Anne Arundel real-estate executive, pledged to be a champion for “beleaguered taxpayers” and the “forgotten middle class” — and declared Maryland “open for business” again.“We must get the state government off our backs, and out of our pockets, so that we can grow the private sector, put people back to work and turn our economy around,” the state’s 62nd governor told an enthusiastic audience of more than 1,500 people who gathered outside the State House in Annapolis on a cold and snowy afternoon.

(Hogan’s inaugural speech)

The flakes began to fall just before the ceremony began, and intensified as Hogan — who had run for office before, but never won — stepped to the podium. “They said it was going to be a cold day in Hell before we elected a Republican governor,” he quipped, eliciting cheers and laughter.

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