ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus congratulated Maryland Republicans on Saturday as they gathered to celebrate their rediscovered relevance during the state party’s convention after election victories last month in a heavily Democratic state.
In reference to Gov.-elect Larry Hogan’s soon-to-be new title as governor, Priebus said someone mentioned to him earlier that it won’t be easy to stop referring to Hogan simply by his first name.
“We’ve got to get used to that,” Priebus said. “What a great feeling. You guys have done so well.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, Maryland’s lone Republican congressman, noted the sense of surprise he’s been hearing from colleagues in Washington about GOP success in a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 2-1.
“I can’t tell you how many members of Congress came up to me and said: ’We can’t believe what happened in Maryland,’” Harris said, bringing laughs from the audience.
Hogan defeated Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown with 51 percent of the vote to 47 percent. Republicans gained seven seats in the House, increasing their numbers from 43 to 50. While Democrats still control the Legislature in Maryland, Republicans will hold more seats in the House than ever. Republicans also gained two seats in the state Senate.
Hogan spoke in a crowded ballroom in front of a red sign with white letters that declared: “WE’RE BACK!”
“The Republican Party, far from being dead, is now stronger than it has ever been in the history of the state Maryland thanks to all of you,” Hogan said.
Hogan, who takes office on Jan. 21, pointed to significant victories at the local level, where five of the state’s nine county executives are now Republican.
“I’m excited,” Hogan said. “It’s so important that we finally have a competitive, healthy and strong two-party system in Maryland. We have checks and balances. We’re going to get better government.”
Hogan told reporters after the speech that he recognizes the GOP is still the minority party in Maryland, and he emphasized the need for bipartisanship.
“People decided to give us a chance, but it’s not a permanent realignment of any sort,” Hogan said. “I said all along my goal was not to turn Maryland from a blue state to a red state, but to simply bring some common sense checks and balances - that when you have a monopoly of either party, it’s not a good thing.”
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