Moore declines to commit to finishing second term as governor
Description: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), who is widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, declined to say during a debate Tuesday whether he would commit to serving a full four-year term if reelected in November.
"Being the governor of Maryland has been the honor of a lifetime, and I would not be running for reelection if I was not committed to the people of Maryland," he said.
The moderator then asked for a yes-or-no response on whether he would commit to serving out a full four-year term.
"I think I gave the answer. I'm committed to the people of Maryland, and that's why I'm running for reelection," he said, explaining that his desire to be part of the "national conversation" was about countering Trump administration policies that affect Marylanders.
Dan Cox, his Republican opponent, pointed out that Gov. Moore would not commit to finishing a second term.
"This governor will not look you in the eyes again and promise to not run for president," he said. "I know you're ready to run against Shapiro and Whitmer and Newsom, but the people of Maryland need someone who has their concerns first." Close description
"Being the governor of Maryland has been the honor of a lifetime, and I would not be running for reelection if I was not committed to the people of Maryland," he said.
The moderator then asked for a yes-or-no response on whether he would commit to serving out a full four-year term.
"I think I gave the answer. I'm committed to the people of Maryland, and that's why I'm running for reelection," he said, explaining that his desire to be part of the "national conversation" was about countering Trump administration policies that affect Marylanders.
Dan Cox, his Republican opponent, pointed out that Gov. Moore would not commit to finishing a second term.
"This governor will not look you in the eyes again and promise to not run for president," he said. "I know you're ready to run against Shapiro and Whitmer and Newsom, but the people of Maryland need someone who has their concerns first." Close description