Gov. Hogan eulogizes father in 'hardest thing I've ever had to do'

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan delivered an emotional eulogy Saturday for his father, former Rep. Lawrence J. Hogan Sr., whom he described as his "hero" who paid a political price for elevating principle over ambition.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do," said Hogan, opening the eulogy at St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Annapolis by expressing uncertainty over whether he could complete the speech.

The governor managed to maintain his composure as he recounted the career of his political mentor, punctuating the address with humor that drew laughs from a capacity crowd at the 75-minute funeral Mass that was attended by former Govs. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Parris N. Glendening and by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a longtime family friend.

"My dad would be so honored to know that four governors attended his service," Hogan said. He said jokingly that the attendees included "every single living Republican governor" in heavily Democratic Maryland — meaning him and Ehrlich.

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