Comment Political newcomer Wes Moore has assembled a diverse coalition to end child poverty, build generational wealth and promise to “leave no one behind” in his bid to become Maryland’s first black governor, reclaiming the governor’s mansion for Democrats. Moore, 44, launched his gubernatorial bid on the strength of his charisma and a best-selling personal story, “The Other Wes Moore,” which describes how educational opportunity and economic disparities affect whether a person falter or succeed. The author and former head of a major anti-poverty nonprofit garnered endorsements from the state’s Democratic establishment forces during the primary, then was bolstered by star endorsements from former President Barack Obama, former U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Moore built a massive war chest to unseat Republican Dan Cox, a freshman representative backed by former President Donald Trump, who opposed certifying President Biden’s 2020 victory. Cox campaigned on abortion restrictions, fought hard against the coronavirus mitigation measures and wanted to limit the role of the government. The Christian world of homeschooling that shaped Dan Cox Moore pledged to help often-overlooked people, boost economic opportunity and protect abortion rights, while tapping into concerns about some of Cox’s hard-right views on school programs, LGBTQ rights and vaccine mandates . His proposals cover the political spectrum, from tax breaks to social programs. His goals include creating a “baby bond” program that would act as a trust fund for newborns from poor families. developing a program that would allow high school graduates to participate in a year of service; and pouring cash into a condition affordable housing program that has not kept up with demand; With the Associated Press calling Moore the projected winner on Tuesday, his running mate, Aruna Miller, who immigrated from India at age 7, will be the first woman of color and the first immigrant to serve as lieutenant governor in one of the most diverse states of the country. “We don’t run to make history,” Moore often said on the trail. “We have a unique opportunity to write child poverty history. We have a unique opportunity to make the racial wealth gap history.” When he takes office, Moore will be faced with how to deliver on his promises, which will require attacking complex systemic problems that have been intractable in Maryland and across the country. In Md., blacks were poised to occupy four critical positions of power On the trail, Moore, also a combat veteran and former investment banker, often dwells on his background and what he calls his guiding principle in life — that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed and that “no one is left behind.” Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), one of a long list of supporters, said during the primary that Moore and Miller brought attention to an otherwise sleepy contest filled with eligible candidates, inspiring “the young and great among us to believe again in things that are possible.” During the primary, Moore bested established candidates such as Peter Franchot, a state auditor who held elected office for nearly as long as Moore was alive, and former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who is well-established and admired in politics of the national parties. He bolstered support from the state’s Democratic heavy hitters, including House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, state Senate President Bill Ferguson (Baltimore City), House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (Baltimore City) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks. He also won one of the largest and most coveted endorsements for the job, from the 76,000-strong teachers union and later from the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police. A Rhodes Scholar raised by a single mother, Moore has a resume that includes time as a White House Fellow and as a paratrooper in Afghanistan. Wes Moore tried to get out of military school. Instead, it changed his life. Early on in his campaign he was dogged by questions about the compelling life story that brought him into the limelight. The opening lines on the jacket of his 2010 bestseller, “The Other Wes Moore,” said he was born in Baltimore. Moore said the mistake was made by his editor, a mistake he asked him to correct. “I have nothing to exaggerate about my life,” he said. Moore was 3 years old when his father died in front of him after not receiving the health care he needed for acute epiglottitis. His widowed mother, an immigrant from Jamaica, moved him and his two sisters from Takoma Park, Md., to the Bronx, where they lived with his grandparents, a minister and longtime educator. Moore is proud of his story and Miller’s. “People are looking for someone who has worked in various fields to do great things,” he said in an interview. “Right now, people aren’t necessarily looking for the same people with the same ideas. They want us to be bold. They want Maryland to do big things.”
