By JAMES MATHESON and TAYLOR NICHOLS
CHICAGO – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used the speedy recovery from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March as an example of the American spirit in an impassioned speech to the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night.
“While many said it could take 11 months to reopen the Port of Baltimore, we got it done in 11 weeks. Because that is the story of America,” Moore told delegates and the nation. “We are a nation of patriots who serve when the mission is hard and who serve when the destination is uncertain.”
In 2022, Moore was the first Black governor elected in Maryland and the third in United States history. A rising star in the Democratic party, Moore’s handling of the bridge collapse and the aftermath brought him national attention.
Moore was cheered by Maryland delegates wearing shirts with the slogan “Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong,” which the governor coined after the bridge collapse, and signs reading “Leave No One Behind,” his gubernatorial campaign slogan.
From the section of seating left of the convention stage, the Maryland delegation shouted a chorus of “Wes, Wes, Wes” during key moments of his speech. One delegate, eyes locked on Moore, neck craned towards the stage, was Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
“The governor did a phenomenal job as he always does, reminding people what true leadership is, what true service to your country is,” Scott told CNS after the speech. “You see what someone is made of when you have tragedy. As the person who knows that story very well myself, being the person that called the governor about the bridge and received those calls from the president and vice president and (Transportation) Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg, it shows that when you’re in a tragedy, in a situation that no one knows or has never been there before, that’s where true leadership shows.”
The Key Bridge was struck on March 26 by a cargo ship, sending it plunging into the Patapsco River and obstructing the Port of Baltimore, the ninth-largest port in the United States for foreign cargo tonnage. The global shipping businesses, cruises and 15,300 Marylanders directly employed by the port were affected by the disaster.
In 78 days, Unified Command removed more than 50,000 tons of debris from the river, fully restoring the channel and opening the port.
“Making America great means saying the ambitions of this country would be incomplete without your help,” the governor said. “It’s the legacy of those six workers who fixed potholes on a bridge while we slept, who were born in a different country, but who knew that America was big enough for them too.”
Moore was a fervent supporter of former President Joe Biden until he ended his reelection campaign. Since then, the 45-year-old governor has transferred his attention to electing the first Black, female president, Kamala Harris.
During the speech, Moore touched on his shared background with Harris, both the children of immigrant parents.
“It’s the journey of a man raised by a remarkable immigrant single mom, a man who felt handcuffs on his wrist at 11 years old, who now stands before you as the 63rd governor of Maryland and the first Black governor in the history of our state,” Moore said. “It’s the story of a prosecutor who defended our freedoms and had Maryland’s back when we needed it most, and now MVP, we’ve got your back as well, right?”
Maryland’s delegates chanted “MVP,” referring to “Madame Vice President.”
Maryland delegates and political figures are basking in the spotlight Moore has drawn. Everywhere they go, they said, when people find out they’re from Maryland, the first thing they want to talk about is Moore, a possible future presidential candidate.
“The man is just full of exuberance. When he comes into the room, there’s a light. He’s got the ‘it factor,’” said Leathia West, Maryland state director for Biden and a delegate from the 4th congressional district. “I haven’t seen this kind of enthusiasm generally since Barack Obama.”
No doubt that figured in his pre-taped appearance on “The Daily Show,” which ran on Comedy Central shortly after his speech.
“I don’t even have to say who he is. They just already know,” Baltimore City delegate Tia Hopkins said. “It’s like he already has that national profile, and people are already seeing this greatness in him.”
Moore has been making the rounds at the DNC, speaking at the Georgia and Wisconsin delegation breakfasts, announcing the Maryland delegation vote tally during the roll call of the states Tuesday night and getting a scheduled spot at the veterans caucus Thursday.
“I think Wes Moore, he’s representative of this country, right?” said Maryland delegate Tiffany Carlock, from the 5th congressional district. “He is the person who is the first Black governor of the state of Maryland…so he knows about making history.”
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