Advertisement Gov. Larry Hogan makes history with re-election in Maryland Hogan becomes first GOP governor to win second term in Maryland since 1954 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Gov. Larry Hogan has become the first Republican governor to win a second term in Maryland since 1954, NBC News projected around 8:30 p.m. and the AP projected around 9:07 p.m."This is absolutely amazing," Hogan told supporters around 10:19 p.m. "They said it was impossible. They said it couldn't be done in Maryland. But thanks to all of you, we just went out and did it."Hogan has enjoyed high approval ratings in polls conducted throughout the campaign. He also maintained a sizable lead over Democratic opponent Ben Jealous in fundraising.The Mason-Dixon poll released in September showed Hogan had the support of 52 percent of voters, while Jealous had 37 percent. The Goucher Poll, also released in September, showed 64 percent approve or strongly approve of the job Hogan is doing in office.But the Hogan campaign held to its promise of campaigning like it is 20 points behind, as Jealous enjoyed strong support among Democrats in the Mason-Dixon poll."Larry Hogan can't win on just Republican support," Goucher Poll director Mileah Kromer said in September. "The thing about the re-elect rate is that he needs Democrats to push him over the finish line."Ultimately, many Democrats crossed party lines to endorse the Republican incumbent."In this deep blue state, in this blue year, with a blue wave, it turns out I can surf, and we had a purple surfboard," Hogan said. "Let me assure you, I will continue to be a governor for all Marylanders.""When the governor came in the office from day one, he said he was going to work across the aisle and he recognized in a state like Maryland, a blue state, where an average of 2-to-1 margin of Democrats, he needed to work with the Democrats. He needed to let people know that he was going to hire folks in his cabinet and in the staff who are Democrats, and it has been a great ride working with this governor," Keiffer Mitchell Jr., a senior adviser to the governor, told 11 News.Jealous said that while he and Hogan have different visions for the state, he believes Hogan does care about the state."While we have different visions and values, I have no doubt that he cares deeply about our state and the families who call it home. It is not an easy task to serve as a Republican governor in a blue state," Jealous said. "Gen. Colin Powell told me a long time ago, it's easy to figure out what we can disagree on, what is tougher and more important in a democracy is to figure out what we can agree on and go get that done. And I say to Gov. Hogan tonight, if we find something we agree on, I look forward to going to get that done."Keeping with an Election Day tradition, Hogan had breakfast Tuesday morning at Chick and Ruth's Delly in Annapolis, where he posed for photos, talked with supporters and answered a burning question: If elected, will you keep your sandwich "Hogan's Hero" on the menu? Or will there be a new one for the next four years?"That's a really good question. Well, the greatest thing is, I have a bipartisan soup that is half cream of crab, half Maryland crab. We're bringing everybody together and that's the biggest seller at Chick and Ruth's," Hogan said Tuesday morning. "Just having breakfast at Chick and Ruth's was part of the plan. We did that the last time, and it's just a tradition more than a superstition."Hogan said a second term would look a lot like his first, and his priorities are the same: aiming to make improvements in education, job creation and transportation infrastructure. He said he also wants to continue working for tax relief."Tonight, the voters of Maryland put aside divisive, partisan politics. And the people of our great state voted for civility, for bipartisanship and for commonsense leadership," Hogan said. "Tonight, they voted to keep changing Maryland for the better, and they showed us that what unites us as Marylanders and as Americans is always greater than that which divides us."While the Goucher Poll found high support for Hogan, it also found support for progressive policies, such as increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and implementing a single-payer health care system.But the economy, jobs and taxes were the most important issues during the campaign, and Hogan campaigned on having reduced fees and tolls and no new taxes during his first four years.Also keeping with tradition, the Hogan campaign hosted its election night party at the Westin in Annapolis. The governor said that's where he had his victory party four years ago, when they "pulled off the biggest surprise upset in the country."The Associated Press contributed to this report.