Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Republican challenger Dan Cox took the debate stage at Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills Tuesday, pitching their cases before voters head to the polls.
Cox v. Moore is a rematch of the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election, but this time Moore is going for a second term and has a record to defend from his first term.
Watch the full debate here:
One moment from the debate already making news involved a question about whether Moore could run for national office in the coming years.
“Gov. Moore, yes or no to my question: Do you commit to serving the full four-year term if elected,” panelist Pamela Wood asked.
“I am committed to the people of Maryland, and that’s why I’m running for reelection,” Moore replied. “That’s what we’ve been doing this entire time to make sure that the people of Maryland who are going to be supported. And when I said that we are going to be part of a national conversation, not only is it because I believe the state of Maryland deserves that, when you at the fact that we’ve been the most affected state, and arguably the most effective state in terms of pushing back and forward, I am also very clear we all need to be part of this larger conversation because we cannot watch our democracy and our freedoms and the impacts of what we’re seeing from Donald Trump and this administration allow to stand pat.”
Cox repeatedly suggested Moore has spent too much time outside the state pursuing national interests.
“This governor will not look you in the eyes again and promise to not run for president,” Cox said. “I know you’re ready to run against [Democratic governors and possible presidential candidates] [Josh] Shapiro and [Gretchen] Whitmer and [Gavin] Newsom, but the people of Maryland need someone who have their concerns first. You just heard, the people of Maryland, you just heard that this governor will not commit to serving you, and yet he’s asking for your vote. That is not worthy of a vote. I’m humbly asking for your vote. I’m going to work for you and nobody else, and I would be honored to do so.”
“I just want to be clear,” Moore replied, “Dan Cox seems to be more concerned about my future than he is about the future of the people of Maryland. So, I’m very clear about where my focus is, and the people of Maryland know that, as well.”
Moore repeatedly pointed out his opponent’s loyalty to the president and the harm Moore said the Trump administration has caused the state.
The economy and affordability were frequent debate points, with Moore blaming Trump for decisions that Moore said have hit Maryland particularly hard, while Cox said the governor hasn’t been good for Maryland’s economy in his first term.
“Despite the assaults we have seen from the president and, frankly, a Trump agenda that Dan Cox has said himself that he backs 100% of the time, that there’s been no state that’s been greater affected, but there’s been no state that’s been more effective when it comes to dealing with it,” Moore told reporters after the debate. “That we’re now seeing that the job growth in the state of Maryland is almost doubled the national average over the past six months.”
“So, I would argue that I’m the better choice just for making sure that we can make our state, once again, moving in the direction that it needs to,” Cox told the reporters. “Look, everybody needs to understand this: This is a serious time for our state. We’re looking at the governor’s own numbers are 3 billion structural deficit.”
News4 was a partner in the debate — the only one on the schedule this election season — and News4 I-Team reporter Tracee Wilkins served as a panelist.
