Now that the results are in, our new elect Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, comes with a large responsibility to satisfy the people. Promises are always made to get the popular vote during election time, however, now the people’s interest is focused on seeing the changes Hogan promised.

As the results came in last week during the general election, 92 percent of the state voted: 52 percent in favor of Hogan and 46 percent in favor of Anthony Brown.

Viewers stood around their televisions expecting a historical outcome of Maryland receiving their first African American Governor. However, shortly after midnight as the new Governor of Maryland was announced, it came as a surprise when Republican Larry Hogan won the election.  Brown was the presumed favorite for the people of Maryland being that he was the Lt. Gov. since 2007. Hailing from the O’Malley campaign, Brown was a favorite in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2:1.

  Hogan, a real estate businessman from Annapolis and former official in Gov. Robert L Ehrlich administration, focused his campaign around the pockets of the people. Hogan stressed the importance of lowering Maryland’s tax rates as well as slower spending growth and an end to storm water fee during his campaign.  Citizens have complained about high tax rates and the little to none change that has been made to lower them since the O’Malley administration was in office. In fact, Hogan formed the conservative advocacy group “Change Maryland” which kept up a consistent stream of criticism of the Democratic administration.

While Brown promised not to raise the taxes, Hogan pledged to lower them and reverse what he called “O’Malley’s 40 consecutive tax increases.” Hogan portrayed Maryland as a state in economic crisis with businesses and individuals moving elsewhere because of high tax rates.

Now that Hogan is in office, he is faced with a team of Democratic-controlled legislatures that may not be willing to help him.  Hogan, being only the second Republican governor in half a century, made it clear to Maryland residents that they are overtaxed. This caught the attention of voters and won his position into office.

In January 2015, Hogan will be sworn in as governor.