Gov. Wes Moore made at least 27 national television appearances between July and October, according to a Baltimore Sun review of his public schedule.
The interviews have put Moore before a national audience to discuss his party’s political fortunes and Maryland’s clashes with President Donald Trump. With eight days until Election Day, they have also given him further exposure to a question he has repeatedly declined to answer directly: Would he serve a full second term?
On Monday, Moore again declined to commit to serving a full second term if reelected, saying that he is focused on Maryland.
Republicans have questioned whether Moore is using his national exposure to position himself for a 2028 presidential run, and if the appearances are distracting him from Maryland matters. During last month’s gubernatorial debate, Republican challenger Dan Cox accused Moore of eyeing the White House. State Republican leaders have also criticized Moore’s frequent out-of-state travel, accusing him of potentially neglecting Maryland if reelected.
Moore’s office did not respond to a request for comment by publication deadline.
Four of the 27 appearances were connected to Moore’s role as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), which represents governors across the country.
Gov. Wes Moore appearing on “The Situation Room” on CNN with Pamela Brown. (Screenshot)
Gov. Wes Moore appearing on “The Situation Room” on CNN with Pamela Brown. (Screenshot)
During his Monday appearance on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” the governor discussed voter dissatisfaction with Democrats in state government and disputes over the party’s funding of candidates in the South.
“The underinvestment has not just been an underinvestment in an election cycle. It’s been an underinvestment in a generation,” Moore said.
His interviews have also touched on Maryland issues that garnered national attention, including a dispute with President Donald Trump over a jobs announcement in Baltimore County. The governor spoke about the incident in a CNN interview, which was not listed on his public schedule — an omission that shows the schedule does not provide a complete accounting of his national television appearances.
Gov. Wes Moore appears with Kaitlan Collins on her CNN show. (Screenshot)
Gov. Wes Moore appears with Kaitlan Collins on her CNN show. (Screenshot)
During a Monday appearance on MS NOW, Moore discussed Question 3, a ballot measure that would change the state’s congressional redistricting rules. He framed the measure as a way for Marylanders to push back against Trump and Republican redistricting efforts in other states.
Political analysts said such appearances are common for sitting governors.
Todd Eberly, a politics professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, said he did not consider Moore’s TV appearances frequent enough to interfere with his state duties.
“You have to strike while the iron is hot,” said Niambi Carter, a professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, adding that Moore may be using the moment to gauge his potential appeal on a national stage.
But Moore’s refusal to commit to a full second term could raise questions about his commitment to voters, said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Washington College. He argued that Moore could acknowledge the possibility of a future presidential campaign while clarifying that he wants to continue serving as governor.
“It seems pretty obvious that he’s at least preserving the option to run for president in 2028. Most voters already assume that’s what he’s doing, and probably don’t have a problem with it either,” Hickel said. “I don’t know why he doesn’t just come out and say, ‘I love this job. I want to keep doing it. I think I’m doing good things, and I’m also leaving the door open that I might try and run in 2028.’”
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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