Lawrence Hogan


Lawrence Joseph Hogan was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Congressman, representing the 5th congressional district of Maryland from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1975. In 1974, he was the only Republican Representative to vote to recommend all three House articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon. He was the father of the 62nd Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan.
Hogan did not run for re-election in 1974 and was unsuccessful that year in his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor. He became county executive for Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1978 and served until 1982.

Early life and education

Born in Boston, on September 30, 1928, Hogan was raised in Washington, D.C. and attended Gonzaga College High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in 1947, J.D. from Georgetown in 1954, and was admitted to the Bar in the same year. While a college student, he worked for the Washington Times-Herald. He joined the FBI in 1948 and became a full-time agent while attending law school. He later was enrolled in graduate studies at San Francisco State College, 1956–1957, received a master's degree from American University in 1965, and continued studies at the University of Maryland, 1966–1967.

Career

Hogan's private career included practicing law and public relations. His Larry Hogan Associates business was making $1 million a year before he sold it to enter politics.
After losing the same race in 1966, Hogan won against incumbent Hervey Machen in 1968 to represent Maryland's 5th congressional district, and was easily re-elected in 1970 and 1972. Hogan was the only Republican on the House Judiciary Committee to vote for all three articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon when they were adopted in committee. Hogan pointedly said during the televised committee hearings:
Hogan entered Maryland's 1974 gubernatorial race when polls showed him a strong challenger to incumbent Governor Marvin Mandel. Hogan's abandonment of Nixon, however, contributed to his loss in the Republican primary to Louise Gore, who in turn lost to Mandel. Political observers also attributed Hogan's loss to Gore's "genteel, low-key nature". Gladys Spellman was elected to take Hogan's former seat in Congress.
After his 1974 defeat, Hogan and his wife Ilona opened the Hogan and Hogan law firm, with offices in Forestville, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. In 1976, Hogan was elected a Maryland National Republican Committeeman, and in January 1977 he began working as executive vice-president of the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association. When he left the position to re-enter politics, he was being paid between $70,000 and $100,000 a year.
In 1978, Hogan challenged incumbent Prince George's County Executive Win Kelly amid a 'tax revolt' and won the office with 60% of the vote. County voters passed a tax reform measure known as "TRIM" that same year.
Hogan challenged first-term Democratic Senator Paul Sarbanes in 1982 and lost heavily. Parris Glendening was elected as county executive in his place, and Hogan's political career was over.
In subsequent years, Hogan returned to practicing law. He also taught and wrote various books. His "Legal Aspects of the Fire Service" title is used at training academies across the country.

Family and death

Hogan married Ilona Maria Modly in 1974 after his first marriage to Nora Maguire ended with divorce in 1972 after 27 years. Ilona was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in Frederick County after they moved there. Two of Hogan's six children are also politically involved in the state of Maryland. Patrick N. Hogan was formerly a Republican Delegate representing Maryland's District 3A. Hogan's eldest son, Larry Hogan, is the current Governor of Maryland, an office he has held since January 2015 after winning the 2014 election.
Hogan suffered a stroke and died on April 20, 2017. He was survived by his wife Ilona and six children.