BALTIMORE, MD—Ed Hale Sr., a prominent Baltimore businessman and owner of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team, announced Wednesday his candidacy for Maryland governor in 2026, switching his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in a bid to challenge incumbent Gov. Wes Moore.
Hale, 78, made the announcement at Canton Waterfront Park, near the site of his former trucking business, emphasizing his business experience and focus on economic growth, public safety, and education. The move comes three months after he initially declared his intent to run as a Democrat, a party he has been registered with for decades.
Citing political pragmatism, Hale said internal polling conducted by Gonzales Research showed he had little chance of defeating Moore in a Democratic primary. “There’s no way I could win running against Wes Moore with that machine he’s got,” Hale said. “He takes all the money and oxygen out of the room. I can’t do it.”
Hale, a self-described moderate, acknowledged his long history as a Democrat but said his party switch was driven by strategy rather than ideology. He described his Democratic affiliation as a “business tool” to navigate Maryland’s political landscape, where Democrats hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage. “If you’re building anything, you have to go with the party that’s in place to get a permit,” he said.
The retired banker, who founded First Mariner Bank and served as its CEO until 2011, has supported Democratic candidates like former Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer and Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski. However, he noted he also voted for Republican governors Larry Hogan and Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., signaling a pragmatic voting history.
Hale’s party switch has drawn skepticism from some Republicans. Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey questioned Hale’s commitment to GOP principles, stating, “Maryland Republicans deserve a nominee who represents our values — not just someone looking for a new political label.” Hershey emphasized that the Republican nomination “must be earned” through a demonstrated commitment to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.
The Democratic Governors Association also criticized Hale, with spokesperson Sam Newton calling him an “out-of-touch Republican candidate” who switched parties after realizing a Democratic primary run was “a bizarre fantasy.”
Hale outlined a platform focused on making Maryland more business-friendly, lowering taxes, and addressing juvenile crime by advocating for tougher measures, including jailing 14-year-olds for serious offenses and holding parents financially accountable. He also proposed expanding trade certifications at state universities and prioritizing police retention.
“I’m running for governor of the state of Maryland. I’m not running for president of the United States like Wes Moore is,” Hale said, accusing the incumbent of prioritizing national ambitions over state governance. Moore, a rising Democratic star, has denied 2028 presidential aspirations.
Hale joins a growing field of Republican candidates, including John Myrick, Carl A. Brunner Jr., Del. Christopher Bouchat, and Kurt Wedekind. Speculation also surrounds whether former Gov. Larry Hogan, who left office in 2023 with high approval ratings, will enter the race. Hale welcomed the competition, saying, “If Larry Hogan wants to run, if Bob Ehrlich wants to run — have at it. Let’s have a contest.”
As of Wednesday, Hale had not officially changed his party registration or filed candidacy paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections, though he said he planned to do so soon. The primary election is set for June 23, 2026, with the general election on November 3.
Hale’s campaign faces challenges in a state where Democrats dominate, and political analysts suggest his party switch could complicate efforts to win over Republican primary voters, especially if Hogan enters the race.
“I’m going to stay in this,” Hale said, framing himself as a businessman outsider ready to shake up Maryland politics. “That’s just the way I’m built.”
Photo by Maryland GovPics – Baltimore Blast MASL Championship Team, CC BY 2.0, Link
