By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) filed for re-election Feb. 23 at the State Board of Elections headquarters in Annapolis, Md. They filed one day before the deadline.
Moore and Miller first announced their decision to seek a second term Sept. 9, 2025.
“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,” said Moore in a statement on Feb. 23. “While Trump’s reckless policies cost Marylanders their jobs and raise prices on everything, here in Maryland we are showing across the state and party lines that there’s a better way forward to make our economy stronger and everyday life more affordable.”
Moore continues to maintain a majority approval rating. According to a Gonzalez Research and Media Services poll of 808 Marylanders in January, Moore received a 51.7 percent job approval rating and a 41 percent disapproval rating. His ratings, however, are lower than his 64 percent approval rating in September 2024.
Republicans have criticized Moore’s record as he seeks re-election, particularly pointing to the state’s ongoing budget deficits and his spending priorities.
On the day Moore originally announced his re-election bid, the Republican Governors Association released a statement criticizing his handling of the state’s budget.
“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,” said Courtney Alexander, an RGA communications director. “Marylanders don’t want another four years of tax increases, runaway spending, and an agenda that has only taken Maryland backward.”
With the governor’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal under consideration in the Maryland General Assembly, voters have much to weigh ahead of the June 23 primaries, when Marylanders will choose their party’s nominee for governor and more. The General Election is scheduled for Nov. 3.