Moore won a second term in Maryland, defeating Republican Dan Cox for the second straight election.
Wes Moore, 48, came to politics from an unusual path. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, a Rhodes Scholar, a best-selling author, and a former investment banker. Before running for office he led the Robin Hood Foundation, one of the country’s largest anti-poverty charities.
He was elected in 2022 as Maryland’s first Black governor, and only the third Black person elected governor of any U.S. state. His first term has focused on poverty, public safety and the state’s budget.
Beating Cox again, by another clear margin, keeps Moore on the short list of Democrats talked about for national office. Watch his work on Maryland’s budget gap — and whether his national profile keeps growing toward 2028.
Fast facts
- Age: 48
- Party: Democratic
- Office: Governor of Maryland
- State: Maryland
- Previous job: Governor of Maryland (since 2023)
- Called by AP: verified in the desk’s 9:00 p.m. ET check, Nov. 3
Part of the Zark News Election 2026 winners profile series. Winners are listed as called by the Associated Press.
