Democrat Wes Moore Declares Victory, Will Become Maryland’s First Black Governor

Wes Moore, whose vibrant and organized campaign catapulted him from outsider candidate to a rising star in Democratic politics, will be Maryland’s next governor, the first Black person to lead the state and only the third Black elected governor in U.S. history, based on The Associated Press call of Tuesday’s race.

Moore declared victory over Republican Del. Dan Cox, and was congratulated by incumbent GOP Gov. Larry Hogan in a phone call.

“What an amazing night and what an improbable journey,” Moore told a raucous crowd of his supporters gathered at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore at 10 p.m. “It’s because you believed that I stand here humbled and grateful to become the 63rd governor of the state of Maryland.”

At 11 p.m., Moore led Cox 60% to 36% with about 1.4 million votes counted. {snip}

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Moore’s victory returns the state capital to full Democratic control after eight years under Hogan, setting the stage for a new progressive era in Annapolis and a potentially bright political future for the ambitious Moore.

Democrats were expected to retain a supermajority in the General Assembly, giving his party significant powers to pass legislation they support. All 188 seats were on ballots across the state Tuesday.

“I could not be more thrilled about what’s happening tonight,” Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said at the victory party. His counterpart, House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the first Black leader of either of Maryland’s legislative chambers, said, “We made history.”

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His running mate, Aruna Miller, thanked the campaign’s supporters and said she was excited for the future, “from Western Maryland to Southern Maryland, from Charm City to Pocomoke City to Ocean City from gorgeous Prince George’s County. A Maryland where we leave no one behind, a Maryland where people can feel safe in their communities and their skin.”

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