Gov. Wes Moore would not commit to serving a full second term if re-elected in November, when he was asked Tuesday during Maryland’s only gubernatorial debate.
Moore, a Democrat who has been the subject of speculation about a possible run for the White House in 2028, gave a roundabout response that left the door open for his future plans.
“Being governor of Maryland has been the honor of my life,” he said when asked if he would serve the full four years, “and I would not run for re-election if I was not committed to the people of Maryland.”
Pressed for a yes or no answer by Banner panelist Pamela Wood, Moore said, “I gave the answer. I’m committed to the people of Maryland. That’s why I’m running for re-election.”
Dan Cox, the Republican candidate for governor, took advantage of Moore’s response.
“This governor will not look you in the eye and commit to not running for president,” Cox said.
Moore has said in recent weeks that he feels he should be part of the “national conversation” about the future of the Democratic Party, an apparent reference to the 2028 elections. Additionally, he has traveled extensively across the country, often for political events, and has regularly visited key Democratic primary states, such as South Carolina and Nevada. A Banner analysis of Moore’s August trip found he spent all or part of about one in five days traveling out of state.
Although Tuesday’s debate, which was pre-recorded and will air at 7 p.m. statewide, is unlikely to change the outcome of the race — polls show Moore has a 2-to-1 advantage over Cox — it served as an opportunity for Cox and reporters to press Moore on his record in what has largely been a low-key campaign season.
Cox asked Moore about the state’s budget deficit, its military record, Maryland’s economy and its ability to complete major infrastructure projects, like the Key Bridge reconstruction, on time and on budget.
For Moore, the debate was an opportunity to test his message. He regularly pointed the finger at President Donald Trump’s administration as the reason for Maryland’s slowing economy and consumer struggles, while simultaneously touting what he called “record investments” from Maryland businesses.
When Cox offered rebuttals or attacked Moore’s record, the governor frequently responded that Cox was “lying” and the two men regularly exchanged personal attacks. Moore particularly captured Cox’s relationship with Trump and his support for and involvement in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump supported Cox during his campaign against Moore in 2022. Cox said in a post-debate press conference that he had not asked the president for his support this time around.
As for whether he would raise taxes or cut spending, Moore lamented the fiscal habits of his predecessors “who were hoarding credit cards and just passing them on.” He succeeded in cutting spending and attracting billions of dollars in private investment to the state, he said.
“This hasn’t happened in a generation in Maryland.”
Both candidates defended their pivots on data centers.
Moore signed a data center executive order routing development projects through a state review process after working for much of his tenure to “boost” the industry in Maryland. Its action stopped short of a pause in data center development.
Moore said his “progress” on the issue came from “listening to the people” and accelerated when the Trump administration removed environmental protections, making it easier to expand data centers.
As a state delegate, Cox voted for tax relief for data centers in 2020. He now supports a statewide moratorium and said that as governor he would work to protect Maryland from climate threats posed to data centers.
When it comes to affordability, candidates said they want to make Maryland more affordable for Marylanders. Moore said he will continue to make strides to diversify the state’s economy and attract business investment. Cox said he would reduce taxes and fees added by the Moore administration and approved by the Legislature.
Cox brought his electric bill to the debate, tucked into his jacket pocket. His bill has doubled in recent months, he said, and showed it to reporters at a post-debate news conference. He was willing to use it as a prop if the panelists asked him about the energy crisis and skyrocketing costs.
In his closing remarks, he said Marylanders trying to pay their bills “feel left behind.”
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