Moore and Miller file for second term as questions over energy bills and audits linger
Gov. Wes Moore and miller filed for re-election on Feb. 23 at the State Board of Elections headquarters in Annapolis, making their second-term bid official one day before the filing deadline.
Miller joins Moore at State Board of Elections in Annapolis
The Moore-Miller ticket completed paperwork at the State Board of Elections headquarters in Annapolis on Feb. 23, filing one day before the deadline and signing the forms inside the elections headquarters. The pair made the trip on a Monday afternoon despite a state of emergency that was in place, and Moore answered questions from reporters while stopping by to file his paperwork.
Campaign message and policy priorities
issued Feb. 23, Moore said, "Today, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and I filed for reelection to continue the progress we’ve seen throughout Maryland to grow our economy, improve our public schools, and double down on record drops in violent crime. " Miller added in the campaign release, "I am thrilled to stand alongside Governor Wes Moore as we continue our mission to build a Maryland that leaves no one behind, " and warned, "As Washington launches direct attacks on our people, now more than ever do we need leaders of action—leaders like Governor Moore who shows us we can work across party lines to create opportunity for everyone regardless of where they live. " The campaign highlighted efforts to cut middle-class taxes, push unemployment to what it described as a record low, and drive record declines in violent crime, plus reforms in permitting and procurement and expanded investments in life sciences, information technology, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
Critics point to audits, money management and rising energy costs
Not all Marylanders embrace the campaign’s message. Critics cite poor audits and money management concerns within some agencies, and some residents say a surge in energy bills under the administration has left them struggling. "I don’t know if he has left us behind or if he has really even considered us. We’re not in his preview, I don’t think, " one farmer told FOX45’s Spotlight on Maryland, and another resident said, "My electric bill is close to $1, 800 a month. That has been a jump as well. We haven’t changed anything, we haven’t added more equipment, or anything, in the past few years. " Political analyst John Dedie said, "There have been some people that have been left behind by the governor, " and noted retired state employees were among those affected, saying some "lost their prescription drug coverage under the governor who chose not to fund that. "
Fundraising, endorsements, and a major private investment
The campaign announced a broad coalition of endorsements and fundraising figures in its Feb. 23 statement: supporters listed included the Maryland REALTORS®, the Maryland International Association of Fire Fighters, the Maryland State Education Association, Service Employees International Union Local 500, and elected officials from both major parties across the state. The campaign reported raising $7 million over the past year and said it entered the new year with $8 million in cash on hand. The campaign also pointed to private-sector expansions, including an AstraZeneca investment described in its materials as the largest in Maryland’s history.
Opponents, polls and the road to the primaries
Republicans have criticized Moore’s record on budget deficits and spending priorities. When Moore originally announced his re-election bid, the Republican Governors Association issued a statement through communications director Courtney Alexander that said, "Wes Moore’s record has been one of tax hikes, an out of control deficit, and a horrific crime record with Baltimore ranking as one of the worst cities in the nation for crime and murder rates. " Potential Republican candidates already named include former lawmaker Dan Cox, former businessman and Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale, Kurt Wedekind and John Myrick; Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey briefly launched an exploratory committee but ended that effort and filed to run for Senate again. A Gonzalez Research and Media Services poll of 808 Marylanders in January gave Moore a 51. 7 percent job approval rating and a 41 percent disapproval rating, down from a 64 percent approval rating in September 2024.
With the governor’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal under consideration in the Maryland General Assembly, Marylanders will choose their party nominees in primaries scheduled for June 23, and the general election is set for Nov. 3. The White House reversed course and invited Moore to a governors breakfast, and campaign they will continue outreach as the filing season moves into the nominating calendars.
