Moore and Miller Officially File for Second Term as Maryland Field Coalesces; Hershey Ends Gubernatorial Exploration

Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna miller formalized their second-term campaign by filing paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections on Monday, one day before the filing deadline. The in-person filing, completed despite a state of emergency, marks a definitive start to the Moore-Miller ticket’s re-election effort and sets the tone for a campaign centered on results and contested by rising voter concerns.

Miller joins Moore at Annapolis filing

Moore and Miller traveled to the State Board of Elections headquarters in Annapolis on Monday afternoon to sign and submit their candidacy papers. The pair made the filing in person at the elections headquarters, emphasizing the formal launch of their second-term search even as authorities maintain a state of emergency in the state.

What Moore highlighted at the filing

While stopping by to file paperwork, Moore took questions from reporters inside the elections headquarters and reiterated that the administration is running for re-election on the basis of work done in its first term. He pointed to goals tied to ending childhood poverty, improving educational outcomes and growing the economy as central accomplishments and ongoing priorities. The governor has been positioned as a national political figure and has repeatedly rejected the idea that he will run for president in 2028.

Voter concerns: energy bills and agency management

Despite the administration’s focus on broad policy goals, some Maryland residents voiced skepticism that they have benefited. One farmer, speaking in a local television interview, questioned whether the administration had considered people like them and said they did not feel included. Another resident recounted an electric bill approaching $1, 800 a month, saying the increase came without additional equipment or changes to use patterns.

Political analyst John Dedie flagged energy costs and the broader cost of living as likely driving issues in the campaign. Dedie said there have been people left behind by the governor’s policies, naming retired state employees who lost prescription drug coverage when the governor chose not to fund it. He added that utility bills and a candidate’s ability to clearly explain causes and solutions will be important, and that the eventual Republican nominee will face the task of convincing voters they can deliver answers.

Republican challengers and other filings

The GOP field already includes former lawmaker and repeat gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox and former businessman and Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale. Other Republican candidates named include Kurt Wedekind and John Myrick. Separately, Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey ended an exploratory effort for a gubernatorial bid and instead filed to run for the U. S. Senate again.

Who has filed for major Maryland offices so far

Anyone seeking to run must submit candidacy paperwork by 9 p. m. on Tuesday. The lists of candidates filed so far for major offices include the following names and party labels:

• Democrats: Eric S. Felber; Ralph Jaffe (died Feb. 6. ); Wes Moore (incumbent).
• Republicans: Carl A. Brunner Jr.; L. D. Burkindine; Dan Cox; Ed Hale; Douglas Larcomb; John A. Myrick; Michael Oakes; Nancy Jane Taylor; Kurt Wedekind.
• Other: Andy Ellis, seeking Green Party nomination.
• Democrats: Victor Allen Guidice; Dan Schwartz; George Walish; Randi White.
• Republicans: Chris Bruneau; Andy Harris (incumbent).
• Democrats: Johnny Olszewski Jr. (incumbent); Clint Spellman Jr.
• Democrats: Jennifer Cross; Austin Dyches; Sarah Elfreth (incumbent); Sean Hammond; Robert Gerald Morrison.
• Republicans: Ray Bly; Berney Flowers; John White.
• Democrats: Joseph Gomes; Shavonne N. Hedgepeth; Glenn Ivey (incumbent); Jakeya Johnson; Jonathan D. White.
• Democrats: Mark Arness; Rushern L. Baker III; Quincy Bareebe; Wala Blegay; Adrian Boafo; Reuben B. Collins II; Ellis D. Colvin; Harry Dunn; Arthur Ellis; Elldwnia English; Terry Antonio Jackson II; Harry Jarin; Walter Kirkland; Jerry Lightfoot; Heather Luper; James Anderson Makle Jr.; Leigha Messick; Keith Salkowski; Alexis Solis; Tracy Starr; Dave Sundberg; Harold Tolbert; Nicole A. Williams.
• Republicans: Chris Chaffee; Bryan DuVal Cubero; Michelle Talkington.
• Democrats: George Gluck; Alexis Goldstein; Daniel M. Krakower; April McClain Delaney (incumbent); David J. Trone; Ethan P. Wechtaluk; Kiambo “Bo” White; A. Mark Wilks.
• Republicans: Chris Burnett; Robin Ficker; Mariela Roca.

What to watch next

With the Moore-Miller ticket formalized and multiple Republican hopefuls on the ballot, attention will turn to how campaigns address energy costs, agency management questions, and the administration’s record on social safety net programs. Candidate filing closes at 9 p. m. Tuesday, and the full field will clarify who will contest the governor’s office and other major posts in the coming cycle.

Note: recent updates referenced in this article reflect the details provided from coverage of filings and candidate lists; some items were described in local interviews and public statements at the time of filing.