(The Center Square) – Maryland voters reelected Democratic Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday, giving him a second four-year term after a rematch against Republican Dan Cox.
The race was quickly called after polls closed. About an hour later, Moore was outpacing Cox 2 to 1 with dozens of precincts yet to report. Green Party candidate Andy Ellis and Working Class Party candidate Cathy White were well behind both..
Moore beat Cox 66.2%-30.4% four years ago.
The two leading candidates offered different approaches to Maryland’s budget challenges. Moore signed a $70.8 billion budget for fiscal 2027 that closed a $1.5 billion shortfall with no new taxes, while Cox pledged to reduce taxes and fees, review state spending and eliminate waste.
Affordability was another major campaign issue.
Moore pointed to efforts to create jobs, expand housing and lower costs for Maryland families.
Cox proposed returning $800 million from Maryland’s energy fund to utility customers during his first two years in office. He also pledged to bring closed Maryland power plants back online to address electricity costs.
The candidates differed over data center development, which has raised questions about electricity demand and infrastructure costs.
Cox called for a statewide moratorium on new data centers. Moore issued an executive order directing greater state review of the industry and said he would seek to repeal a sales tax exemption for data center equipment.
Rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was also part of the governor’s race. Cox criticized delays in the project, while Moore defended his administration’s efforts. The bridge collapsed in March 2024 after a cargo ship struck it.
Moore’s second term begins in January.