Gov. Wes Moore declared on Election Night that Maryland voters “did not just vote for a governor” but “voted to protect the great gift of democracy,” in a speech he gave after being projected to win a second term.
Unofficial returns from the Maryland State Board of Elections, last refreshed at 11:46 p.m., showed Moore and running mate Aruna Miller with 1,119,527 votes, or 62.10%, to 606,238 votes, or 33.63%, for Republican Dan Cox and Rob Krop, with 1,852 of 1,979 Election Day precincts reported. Counts are incomplete and provisional ballots are not yet reported.
Thanks and a Message to Cox
Moore thanked supporters, his family and campaign staff. Of his Republican opponent, he said, “we wish you and your family the best in your future endeavors.”
Policy Priorities
Moore said he wants to build “the best public education system in America” and said every child in Maryland “deserves a school that believes in them.” He also said Maryland “will lead the most aggressive charge to end child poverty.” Citing his record, he said Maryland now “has the lowest violent crime rate in 40 years,”
He thanked local Republican mayors who, he said, put Maryland first, adding that “progress is not partisan.”
Redistricting and Democracy
Moore devoted a long portion of the speech to redistricting. He said, “I still hate partisan gerrymandering,” and described working with the General Assembly on a special session and a bill that put a measure on the ballot. He said the Maryland Supreme Court voted 5-2 to allow it. “We just simply had to vote yes,” he told the crowd. Question 3, on election districts for the General Assembly and Congress, showed 59.64% for and 40.36% against in the board’s unofficial returns with 1,852 precincts reporting.
Closing
Moore closed by saying that “together we will leave no one behind.”
These are unofficial returns. Official results will be certified by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
