GOP businessman running for governor blasts Moore for economic ‘neglect’ in Maryland

BALTIMORE, Md. (7News) — Gov. Wes Moore is seeking reelection this year, but Republican Businessman Ed Hale hopes voters will give him a chance to reduce the cost of living and create jobs for everyday people in Maryland.

Hale was in Prince George’s County on Wednesday, where he visited the recently shuttered Six Flags America and highlighted a series of recent economic failures. Hale said the closed theme-park is collateral damage from anti-business policies.

“It’s really emblematic of what has happened to this entire place, our state, because of the neglect with our government and our governor in particular,” Hale said, “So, what used to be a thriving park is now a wasteland.”

Hale said Moore also failed to keep the Washington Commanders in Prince George’s County. And an even bigger mistake by Moore, according to Hale, was not prioritizing the FBI.

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“But probably the biggest mistake, and the biggest thing that has been neglected was the FBI,” Hale said. He blamed Moore for picking fights with President Donald Trump, and that it’s why the FBI isn’t moving to Greenbelt.

“The gross loss of jobs is huge,” Hale said.

Hale said he wants to make Maryland a pro-business state by bringing in experienced economic development professionals, addressing permitting issues and reducing electricity bills by reopening shutdown power plants. He also wants to cut taxes and fees that have increased under Moore’s watch.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Maryland’s unemployment rate is above four percent.

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Last week, the State reported that the highest volume of unemployment claims from people out of work in Maryland are in Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.

7News reached out to Moore’s office for comment on this story. We will update this story with his response.