Amid rumors of national ambitions, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) traveled to South Carolina and spoke at the Blue Palmetto Dinner, a gathering of Democratic delegates in the first majority-Black Democratic electorate on 2028’s election calendar.
During this same trip, Moore met with advisors to former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
“Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy, multi-year studies, panels and college debate club rules,” Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor, said in a speech at the dinner.
He also emphasized the need for immediate action to address the needs of constituents.
“We must be the party of action. Urgency is the instrument of change. And do you know who understands that really well? Donald Trump,” Moore continued. “I want to be clear: We can, and we must, condemn Donald Trump’s reckless actions. But we would also be foolish not to learn from his impatience.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, also spoke at this dinner. Lucy Owens, the Anderson County delegate at the South Carolina dinner, called both Moore and Walz, who has expressed interest in running, “very great candidates.”
While Moore has denied interest in running for president, his past speaking engagements in South Carolina, an upcoming speaking engagement in Detroit, and his national efforts to support Democrats during the 2024 election lead some national commentators and local voters to believe otherwise.
“The View” host Joy Behar called Moore “presidential” during an interview and asked him directly if he would run. He said no.
“I always say, ‘Watch what they do, not what they say.’ If you are headlining a major event in South Carolina, Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire, down the line, it probably means that you’re running for president,” said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish, referencing Moore’s traveling schedule.
Rumored Candidates
Moore is one of several rumored presidential candidates, including 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Walz, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and former secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo have all expressed interest in running for the Democratic nomination.
Vice President Harris is leading in the most recent presidential polling, with Buttigieg and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in second and third, respectively.
Despite the Moore buzz, early presidential polling should be viewed with skepticism. Early polling on the 2008 Democratic primary didn’t even include Barack Obama as a potential candidate.
Democratic strategist David Axelrod, best known for his work on the Obama 2008 campaign, said he sees the race as wide-open.
“There is no obvious nominee, so I think there are a whole bunch of people who are then thinking about it and wanting to be in the conversation,”said Axelrod, who admits that a new leader may appeal to Democratic voters. “There’s a lot of interest out there for Democrats, searching for a new leader. I wouldn’t say it’s desperation, but there’s a thirst for new leadership among Democrats.”
Marylanders Celebrate Moore’s Work, First Lady Says: ‘We are so Focused on Maryland‘
While nothing is official in terms of a presidential run, many Marylanders and people nationwide are impressed by Moore’s leadership as governor.
Western Maryland officials credited Moore’s responsiveness in helping to address a recent flood.
“They have been very hands-on and very helpful going through this process. I think the governor had some of his staff here as early as Wednesday morning helping us to assess the situation,” said Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale.
He expressed thanks to the governor for stepping up to assist residents in need.
“I think it was good to have him here so he could literally see what happened. It’s one thing to see a picture of it, but you don’t get the whole true picture of the whole thing until you see it in person,” Caporale continued.
Actor George Clooney mentioned Moore, saying he thinks he is “spectacular.”
“I think [Moore] is a guy that has handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He does two tours of duty in Afghanistan — active duty,” Clooney said. “He speaks beautifully. He’s smart. He ran a hedge fund — the Robin Hood Foundation. He’s a proper leader.”
Despite the celebrated actor’s support for her husband, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore said she and the governor are focused on the needs of their current constituents expanding opportunities for Marylanders.
“We are so focused on Maryland. It’s always flattering to hear Mr. Clooney,” she told The Informer in a WIN-TV interview in April. “He is the first Black governor in the history of the state, he’s the 63rd governor, he is the only Black governor in the country, and he is so committed to Marylanders in his work.”