ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Gov. Wes Moore formally announced his bid for re-election in 2026 on Tuesday, emphasizing his administration’s achievements in reducing crime, boosting the economy, and navigating crises like the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The announcement, made in a campaign video, comes amid speculation about the rising Democratic star’s potential 2028 presidential ambitions, which he has repeatedly downplayed.
Moore, the state’s first Black governor and a former Army officer, highlighted Maryland’s progress under his leadership since his 2022 election. “We’ve gone from 43rd in the country in unemployment to one of the lowest unemployment rates,” Moore said, citing a 3.4% unemployment rate as of July 2025. He also noted a 50-year low in Baltimore homicides and a more than 30% drop in statewide violent crime since 2021.In the video, Moore contrasted his focus on middle-class Marylanders with what he called “reckless policies” from the Trump administration, including federal job cuts and reductions to Medicaid that he said harm the state, which has the nation’s second-highest concentration of federal workers. “While we stand up for middle-class Marylanders, the president of the United States is bending over backwards for billionaires and big corporations,” Moore said. “I’m asking you to reelect me governor.”
The announcement follows Moore’s appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, where he firmly ruled out a 2028 presidential run, despite his growing national profile. His leadership during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and public clashes with President Donald Trump over proposed National Guard deployments to Baltimore have fueled speculation about higher office. Moore, however, insisted his focus remains on Maryland, saying, “I’m excited about what I’m going to be able to do for the people of Maryland.”
Moore’s campaign faces challenges, including a $3 billion state budget deficit, which prompted a hiring freeze and voluntary employee buyouts in June. Critics, including the Maryland Republican Party, have accused Moore of mismanaging a $5.5 billion surplus inherited from his predecessor and pushing through significant tax and fee increases. “He didn’t cut taxes — he rammed through the largest tax and fee hike in Maryland history,” a post from the account @NoMooreMD claimed on X.
Other candidates in the 2026 gubernatorial race include Democrat Ralph Jaffe, a perennial candidate, and Republicans Carl Brunner Jr., Ed Hale, and John Myrick. Hale, a former Democrat who recently switched parties, has drawn criticism from some Republicans as an opportunist.
Moore’s campaign video also highlighted his efforts to make Maryland more affordable and improve public schools, with a goal to “end childhood poverty once and for all.” Maryland Democratic Party Chair Steuart Pittman praised Moore’s “toughness and compassion,” expressing confidence in his ability to address ongoing fiscal and policy challenges.
The Maryland gubernatorial election is set for Nov. 3, 2026. Moore’s campaign is expected to leverage the state’s deep-blue political leanings, where Democrats hold a significant voter registration advantage.
