Wes Moore ended months of speculation by officially launching his campaign to become the next governor of the state of Maryland. Moore issued a statement to local media outlets on Monday that detailed his motivation to enter the race.
“As we come out of this pandemic, I believe we’re at a crossroads. We can’t simply go back to how things were. The way things were, wasn’t good enough for most Marylanders. We must focus on creating economic opportunity and closing the wealth gap. What has become clear to me is that opportunity is readily available to some and dangerously absent to others," Moore stated.
"Here in Maryland, we have some of the nation’s most prosperous communities and some of its most impoverished; world-class medical institutions and people who can’t afford basic care; some of the best schools and some of the most underfunded. Too many people work too hard, do everything the right way but it’s never enough, and this pandemic has made these inequities even worse. But right now, we stand ready to lead, ready to do something about it. I believe that no matter what road you start down, you deserve a path to success.”
Moore is a Maryland native through and through. He was born in Takoma Park, Maryland before moving to New York, New York as a young child. After spending time in the Bronx, he and his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland when he was 14 years old. From there, he went on to attend John Hopkins University and serve in the U.S. Army. In recent years, Moore has worked his way up to becoming CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation and opening a Baltimore-based business called BridgeEdU that helps local students earn college degrees. Not to mention, Moore is a respected author who has published several books and appeared on television programs like Meet The Press and Face The Nation.
Moore enters a crowded field of Democratic gubernatorial candidates that includes former U.S. Education Secretary John King Jr., Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. Within the Republican Party, only former Maryland Delegates Robin Ficker and Kelly M. Schulz have officially declared their intent to run for office. Incumbent Republican Governor Larry Hogan has already served two terms and cannot seek re-election.
If Moore were to be elected, he would be the first Black man to ever serve as governor in Maryland. Furthermore, Moore would become only the sixth Black man to serve as governor of any U.S. state.
Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries are set to take place on June 28, 2022. The Maryland gubernatorial election will be held on November 8, 2022.
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