Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the Democrat who rocketed from political newcomer to rising star in just two years, announced Tuesday that he will seek reelection in 2026 — a decision meant to cement his hold on Annapolis even as speculation swirls about whether he has his eyes on the White House.
In a campaign video, Moore framed his bid as a fight for working families. “While we stand up for middle-class Marylanders, the president of the United States is bending over backwards for billionaires and big corporations,” he said, accusing the Trump administration of gutting Medicaid and driving up costs for ordinary Americans. “I’m asking you to reelect me governor.”
The announcement puts Moore among a group of Democratic governors with national potential — including Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro and Illinois’ JB Pritzker — who must first navigate reelection before deciding whether to test the 2028 waters. Moore, a Rhodes scholar, Army veteran, and bestselling author, has tried to tamp down chatter about higher office. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” this weekend, he flatly insisted, “I’m not running in 2028.” He repeated the line Tuesday night: “It’s easy for me to rule something out that I never ruled in. I am not running for president.”
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History suggests such denials may not quiet the speculation. Barack Obama once said the same thing in 2006, before launching a campaign that reshaped American politics. Moore’s schedule, meanwhile, has carried him far beyond Maryland. In May, he delivered a commencement address at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, invoking “real patriotism” and calling on graduates to be part of the country’s “betterment.” Weeks later, he appeared in South Carolina, an early presidential primary state, to highlight his family roots and criticize Donald Trump’s “reckless actions” while also noting lessons from Trump’s impatience.
At home, Moore has cultivated a reputation for pragmatism, engaging even conservative audiences. He has made repeated appearances, pushing back against the administration’s crime and immigration crackdowns, including proposals aimed at Baltimore. That mix of discipline and visibility has fueled the very speculation he tries to wave off.
For now, Moore’s message is simple: reelection first. Whether voters — or party strategists — will let him stop there may be another question entirely.