A few weeks ago, Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan told The Baltimore Sun he may have to avoid eye-contact with his father on inauguration day unless he wants to spill tears on stage.
Lawrence Hogan, Sr., left a seat in Congress to run for unsuccessfully run for governor 40 years ago. His son's November victory — an upset win in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1 — has been something of a a family victory.
The younger Hogan said he nearly lost his composure while watching his dad on election night.
"He could barely walk because he's got bad knees," Hogan said in an interview earlier this month. "He hobbled across the stage and kissed me and hugged me. It was very hard not to pull a John Boehner and start crying in the middle of my speech. My eyes were getting a little watery, my throat choked up. I had to take a deep breath and then keep talking."
Hogan said then he expects another big emotional challenge today, when he becomes only the second Republican inaugurated in Maryland in the last 50 years.
"He's very emotional about the whole thing. He'll be crying all day on inauguration, I'm sure," Hogan said. "As long as I don't look at him, I might be OK."
On Wednesday morning, however, Hogan, Sr., was all smiles at a prayer service to honor his son, collecting nearly as many wishes of congratulations as Hogan, Jr.