Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) and Republican challenger Dan Cox (R) exchange sharp verbal jabs during debate. Delmarva Public Media's Don Rush has this look at the political sparring.
RUSH: It was a night of verbal fisticuffs as Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Republican challenger Dan Cox went at it during Tuesday night's televised debate. This is Don Rush. This is a second time for Cox against Moore. The incumbent leaves 51% over Cox with 25% in the latest public opinion polls. Moore, who is seen as a rising star on the Democratic Party, fended off a question about whether he had presidential aspirations in 2028.
MOORE: "I'm committed to the people of Maryland, and that's why I'm running for reelection."
RUSH: So Moore stopped short of saying outright that he might set his eyes on the White House two years from now, and Cox scoffed.
COX: "And 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."
RUSH: But continuously throughout the debate, Moore attacked Cox for the Republican support of President Donald Trump. At every turn, the Democrat reminded voters of the loss of federal money and jobs and the current administration. Republicans sidestepped the issue with a promise to work with whoever is in Washington DC.
COX: "I am a Marylander first and last, and I'm an American first and last. I will work with whoever is the president, and that's the difference between myself and my opponent. We can't take another two years of this governor not working with the federal government."
RUSH: But Moore will not have it.
MOORE: "When Dan Cox says about that he'll work with the president, of course he will, because he has stated publicly that he is with the president 100% of the time."
RUSH: Cox also hammered away at Moore as to whether he would raise taxes to close the structural budget deficit now facing the state. But Moore sidestepped the issue without making any commitment. The other big issue has been data centers. Moore had said he would be open to a pause, but then shifted and signed an executive order to create a task force to evaluate facilities, including a look at the impact on energy costs and local community control. Meanwhile, Cox demanded a full ban.
MOORE: "And so I, despite the fact that Dan Cox tried to usher them in with multimillion dollar tax incentives, I have said that if local jurisdictions say no, that is the final answer. Data centers do not get to write the rules. We do."
MODERATOR: "Mr. Cox, you want 30 [seconds]?
COX: "Political theater. Political theater. Ladies and gentlemen, that's what you're seeing here. The executive order so-called does not put a moratorium, even though a majority of counties have done so."
RUSH: The two also clashed over the ban on local law enforcement cooperation with immigration agents. Moore denounced the raids that swept up many people who are simply hard working. Well, Cox claimed that the ban sparked those very same raids.
MOORE: "That we have ICE agents that are patrolling, that are trying to patrol communities with masks on. And by the way, we ban that too. So I think there has to be a reconsideration."
COX: "The state and federal partnership is so crucial to keeping peace and safety without having to up the game as we've seen."
RUSH: And then there was question three on the state ballot that is ultimately aimed at wiping out the lone Republican member of Maryland's congressional delegation. Moore cited the actions by the Trump administration to place restrictions on voting.
MOORE: "We are not going to allow Donald Trump to determine our democracy. The people of Maryland should determine our democracy. So I will be voting yes. I urge every Marylander to vote yes because this is our opportunity to stop this attempted takeover."
MOORE: Cox countered that it was wrong no matter who did it.
COX: "This is not about your so-called concerns about federal issues. In fact, if it's wrong for them, I'm saying I agree it's wrong for Maryland, it's wrong for you, sir."
RUSH: And finally, there were personal jabs by Moore citing former Republican Governor Larry Hogan's criticism of Cox as a "QAnon whack job" and Moore cut deeper, attacking Cox who joined the effort to overturn the 2020 election.
COX: "Mr. Cox's definition of patriotism was putting on a red cap."
COX: "Oh, please."
COX: "And then being able to bus people down to the Capitol on January 6th. It is not 'oh please.' When you had a chance to express your patriotism, you use it to try to destroy it."
COX: "That's a lie. And that is an absolute lie. It's a falsity just like every other thing that seems to come out of this governor's mouth."
RUSH: Sound from the debate was provided by Maryland Public Television. This is Don Rush for Delmarva Public Media.
