WJZ sits down with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan just over a month before leaving office

BALTIMORE – Governor Larry Hogan stands in a membership of solely two Republicans who’ve received re-election in Maryland’s historical past.

With a bit of greater than 40 days earlier than the term-limited governor leaves workplace, he sat down for a one-on-one interview with WJZ’s Ava-joye Burnett.

The governor mentioned his contentious relationship with Baltimore Metropolis leaders, his very public battle with most cancers, and the continuation of his household’s political legacy after his daughter, Jaymi Sterling, received the election to turn out to be Saint Mary’s County’s subsequent state’s lawyer.

As a Republican in a blue state, Gov, Hogan took satisfaction in using what he known as “A Purple Wave.”

Ava-joye: Within the state’s greater than 240-year historical past, you are solely the second Republican to win re-election. In a deep blue state, what do you assume that was all about?”

Gov. Hogan: Individuals say to me, they’re lifelong Democrats who crossed over and supported me they usually say, “we actually admire the truth that you simply inform it like it’s, that you simply’re actual, that you simply’re genuine.”

Ava-joye: Any chief that we converse to on this period will say considered one of their most difficult durations was the COVID-19 pandemic. For you, was there a selected time whenever you observed this simply is not going to be an prolonged snow day?

Gov. Hogan: Properly, there have been quite a few moments the place that type of hit. It wasn’t only one time after we thought that. We had been watching it early on. We knew it was going to be coming, and when it did, it was going to be quickly escalating from there.”

Ava-joye: You had assist right here in Maryland, however then, that additionally put you immediately at odds with the chief of the Republican Social gathering, President Trump, and a few folks began calling you “locked down Larry.” How did that make you are feeling?

Gov. Hogan: Properly, you by no means favored to be the goal of criticism, however I did not care one bit about any of that. I used to be extra centered on saving folks’s lives. And you already know, my most vital duty was retaining the folks in Maryland protected. That is how I see my position as governor.

Ava-joye: Let’s swap to Baltimore Metropolis. Within the entirety of your tenure, Baltimore Metropolis has had greater than 300 homicides yearly. Is there something that you simply assume you may have personally carried out to assist with this drawback?

Gov. Hogan: I feel we did each single factor we might to assist with the issue for eight years. We put $1.5 billion of state cash into Baltimore Metropolis on simply public security. And, you already know, I sat down with 4 completely different mayors and 5 police commissioners. We gave them virtually each single factor that they requested for. We supplied super assist to all 5 state police companies. We pulled collectively federal regulation enforcement with native regulation enforcement, however you possibly can’t exchange management within the metropolis. You understand, I wasn’t the mayor of the Metropolis and I wasn’t the police commissioner.

Ava-joye: A month in the past, proper beneath us, we noticed you stroll down the steps with Wes Moore. How does it really feel to be on this facet of issues? Is the strain off a bit of bit?

Gov. Hogan: It feels fairly good. I feel it was an amazing second. I actually loved spending time with Wes Moore. I want them effectively and I advised them, we will attempt to present all the assistance we might presumably give them within the transition and afterward.

Ava-joye: I need to speak to you about your daughter Jaymi. That was a giant win for you all on election evening as effectively.

Gov. Hogan: Properly, I am actually pleased with her. She’s a wise lawyer and she or he loves being a prosecutor and she or he had the braveness to step up and run. She really, you already know, beat a 22-year incumbent by 40 factors, which is a reasonably large deal as the largest winner of its form within the state.

Ava-joye: I need to speak to you concerning the First Woman. She is a world-renowned artist. The Artwork Gallery of BWI will now be devoted to her.

Gov. Hogan: Properly, I am very pleased with my spouse, as effectively, and to her, for those who’ve requested her, she does not actually consider herself, as she says, she’s not in politics. She does not actually even speak about being First Woman of the state. She says I am an artist and artwork trainer. If you happen to ask her who’s she, that is who she says.

Ava-joye: Governor, I ponder as you replicate, what’s your proudest second?

Gov. Hogan: Properly, I am proud that we had been in a position to end the job, and that individuals nonetheless assume I did a reasonably good job as governor. So, the entire eight years, a single day good or dangerous, I am actually honored to have the chance to have the job.