Who is Wes Moore and what is Moore running on in the 2026 Maryland Governor race?

Wes Moore is the Democratic candidate for Maryland governor, and the incumbent. Governor of Maryland since January 2023; author and Army veteran. Running mate: Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Wes Moore (D) seeking a 2nd term; rematch of 2022 vs Dan Cox.
• Rating: Solid D (all major raters per Wikipedia, 2026).
• Polling: Moore 58, Cox 31 (Zenith Research, 2026; exact date not confirmed).

Why Moore is ahead

• Maryland has about a 2-to-1 Democratic registration edge (2.2M D vs 1.02M R).
• Moore beat Cox by 30+ points in 2022, and no Democratic incumbent governor of Maryland has lost since 1950.
• Huge money gap: Moore raised $15.5M vs Cox’s about $242K through Aug 2026.
• Moore’s soft spots are energy bills, taxes and fees (a $1.6B tax and fee package) and an approval rating near 48%, which Cox is targeting.

What Moore is running on

• Poverty/education. Lists ending child poverty and improving educational outcomes as top second-term priorities.
• Economy. Wants to grow the economy through permitting and regulatory reform and the life sciences, IT and aerospace sectors; touts AstraZeneca’s record investment.
• Cost of living. Campaigning on affordability and countering the Trump administration’s impact on Maryland.
• Redistricting. Backs redrawing Maryland’s congressional map toward an all-Democratic delegation, framed as a response to GOP map moves elsewhere.

In Moore’s own words

“But the reason that we’re running for reelection is we got more work to do, but we’re ready to do it.”

“We’re watching our democracy being not just challenged but being robbed in broad daylight.”

The other candidates

• Dan Cox (R)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.