Lawrence Hogan, GOP Congressman who called for Nixon's removal, dies

April 21 (UPI) -- Lawrence J. Hogan Sr., the first Republican Congressman to call for President Richard Nixon's impeachment, died at 88, his son said.

Hogan, who died at an Annapolis, Md., hospital after complications from a stroke, was the first GOP member of the House Judiciary Committee to advocate for Nixon's impeachment in 1974.

On the day before the committee was to begin debate on impeachment, Hogan announced that he favored removing the president from office. The moved brought him national fame but strained his relationship with his party. He lost a following Republican primary vote as he ran for Maryland governor because of his stand, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Nixon resigned from the presidency later in 1974.

Hogan's son, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr., said Thursday, "At 10:24 tonight, an American hero, and the man that I am most proud of, passed away. He had an amazing life that spanned 88 years. He leaves behind a loving family, countless friends and admirers, and a lasting legacy that won't be forgotten."

The elder Hogan was a law school graduate, a journalist, an advertising executive and an FBI special agent before turning to politics.