MOORE WINS; TO BECOME STATE’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. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
- Maryland has had 30 governors since the current method of electing governors by statewide popular vote was established in 1867. Every one of them has been a white man. “It’s not lost on me that I’ve made a little history here tonight myself,” Moore said to cheering supporters. “This is more proof that progress is not enevitable, but progress is possible in the state of Maryland,” Moore said. Pamela Wood and Brenna Smith/The Baltimore Banner.
- Moore says he will use tax revenue following the legalization of recreational cannabis to fund many of his education and crime initiatives. Moore also plans to use the state’s reported $2 billion budget surplus to revive defunct state departments and fill many job vacancies within multiple departments. Timothy Dashiell of CNS/MarylandReporter.
- Political newcomer Wes Moore rallied a diverse coalition around ending child poverty, building generational wealth and promising to “leave no one behind” in his bid to become Maryland’s first Black governor, reclaiming the governor’s mansion for Democrats. Ovetta Wiggins and Erin Cox/The Washington Post.
MOORE’s TRANSITION TO GOVERNOR: Maryland’s governor-elect has two months to put together a team of staff, pick cabinet secretaries, draft a legislative agenda and propose a budget. And plan an inauguration, too. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
Dan Cox’s only concession Tuesday night was that the returns were not looking good. Screenshot from WUSA-TV News video.
COX HASN’T CONCEDED: Dan Cox acknowledged to supporters gathered at an Annapolis hotel Tuesday night it’s “not looking good” in his bid to be Maryland’s next governor. “I’m not going to lie to you. This is a very difficult race. I’m not doing as well as I’d hoped in places like Baltimore County,” Cox said. Cox did not concede the race but said many outstanding votes to be counted are Election Day votes. Paul Gessler/WJZ-TV News.
- Cox’s daughter Patience Faith Cox, who also helped run his campaign, told the crowd not to believe what they were seeing on the TV broadcast to her right, where Moore could be seen giving his victory speech. “It’s a moment for the media to try and prove their fake polls that they made up,” she said. “They’re still counting votes, which means the race is not called yet, and the media does not determine the election.” Rachel Baye/WYPR-FM.
OPINION: WHEN YOU NOMINATE A BOOB LIKE DAN COX: I assumed, incorrectly, that Maryland’s Republican voters would not absolutely lose their minds and choose to overwhelmingly vote for Dan Cox for governor in the July 19th primary. I incorrectly assumed that, after two successful gubernatorial wins in a row, Republican voters would nominate credible, competent candidates that could compete against Democrats. That of course did not come to pass. Brian Griffiths/The Duckpin.
TOKED UP: RECREATIONAL CANNABIS, OTHER BALLOT QUESTIONS PASS: Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday to legalize adult-use cannabis. Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Sun.
- Of the five constitutional amendments Maryland voters approved of on Tuesday, perhaps the most contentious decision before them was joining at least 19 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the recreational use and possession of cannabis. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
- Maryland voted Tuesday in favor of the five statewide ballot questions, including an amendment to legalize adult-use cannabis and another to rename the state’s highest court the Maryland Supreme Court. Dana Munro and Emily Opilo/The Baltimore Sun.
Brooke Lierman declared victory as the state’s first woman comptroller. She held a 14 point lead with just over half the votes counted. Her opponent had not conceded the race. (Emmett Gartner/Capital News Service)
LIERMAN BECOMES FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO STATEWIDE OFFICE: Democrat Brooke E. Lierman won the comptroller’s race Tuesday, making history as the first woman independently elected to state office in Maryland. Jenna Portnoy/The Washington Post.
- “Thank you to the grandmas, to the mothers, to the daughters who said it’s time for a woman to run the money in Maryland,” Lierman said to roaring applause from her supporters. She then went on to recognize prominent women politicians in Maryland that preceded her, saying that it was their shoulders she stood on to get elected. “I may be the first, but I am going to make sure that I am not the last,” Lierman shouted. Emmett Gardner of CNS/MarylandReporter.
ANTHONY BROWN TO BECOME NEXT ATTY GEN: Democratic Rep. Anthony Brown, a longtime Maryland political figure, was elected Tuesday as the state’s new attorney general, taking the place of Democrat Brian Frosh, who retired after holding the position for the past seven years. Shannon Clark for CNS/MarylandReporter.
- The historic victory over Republican Michael A. Peroutka, a retired lawyer and one-term Anne Arundel County Council member, makes Brown, 60, the first African American elected to the position. Joe Heim/The Washington Post.
HARRIS BEATS MIZEUR IN 1st CONGRESSIONAL: U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a supporter of former President Donald Trump and the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, claimed victory over Heather Mizeur, a well-funded Democrat, in their high-profile race Tuesday in the 1st Congressional District of Harford County and the Eastern Shore. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
TRONE-PARROTT RACE STILL UP IN THE AIR: The final outcome of the battle between U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Potomac) and his Republican challenger, Del. Neil Parrott of Hagerstown – the state’s most competitive congressional race this year thanks largely to redistricting – remained unclear early Wednesday. Louis Peck/Bethesda Beat.
- Results remained unknown in Maryland’s most competitive congressional contest late Tuesday night: a rematch between Rep. David Trone (D) and Del. Neil C. Parrott (R-Washington) with millions of dollars spent by the incumbent Democrat defending his seat. Meagan Flynn and Rachel Weiner/The Washington Post.
HESTER LEADS DEL. NOVOTNY FOR STATE SENATE: Democrat Katie Fry Hester early Wednesday appeared on her way to becoming Montgomery County’s newest state senator, as she led her Republican opponent, Del. Reid Novotny, in what was widely regarded as this year’s most competitive race for a Maryland Senate seat. Louis Peck/Bethesda Beat.
VOTERS WORRY ABOUT DEMOCRACY FROM DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES: Maryland voters participating in the first major election since the Jan. 6 insurrection are expressing concerns about the state of American democracy, but what Democrats and Republicans worry about differs significantly. Kate Seltzer, Hunter Savery, Destiny Herbers and Nolan Clancy of CNS/MarylandReporter.
HOUGH LEADS IN FREDERICK EXEC RACE: Michael Hough, a Republican, leads Democratic candidate Jessica Fitzwater in the race for Frederick County executive, unofficial results from early voting, Election Day and partial tallies from mail-in voting show. Jack Hogan/The Frederick News Post.
BALL DECLARES VICTORY IN HOWARD: Howard County Executive Calvin Ball walked into a packed room in Columbia on Tuesday night to the theme song from “Rocky,” hugging supporters as he made his way to the podium at about 10:30 p.m., to declare victory in his reelection bid. Sherry Greenfield/Baltimore Sun Media.
OLSZEWSKI, SHELLENBERGER POISED TO WIN IN BALTIMORE COUNTY: Baltimore County’s top prosecutor and county executive appeared poised for reelection, according to unofficial election results. County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. told supporters he “fully” expected to win his election, in a race where his opponent promised to undo much of his work. He had nearly 60% of the votes, with the majority of precincts reporting. Challenger Pat McDonoughsaid he expected Olszewski would win, but he didn’t plan to stop his advocacy efforts. Christine Condon and Darcy Costello/The Baltimore Sun.
ELRICH WINS IN MO CO; ALSOBROOKS SAILS TO VICTORY IN PG: Incumbent Democrat Marc Elrich won reelection for a second term as Montgomery county executive in Maryland’s most-populous county. Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) was reelected in an uncontested general election after sweeping aside several political outsiders in July’s primaries. Katie Shepard and Daniel Wu/The Washington Post.
