Maryland’s Moore Gives Democrats a Gubernatorial Win

President Joe Biden spearheaded an Aug. 25 rally in Rockville, Md., on behalf of Democratic candidates including Wesley Moore (R), who as expected won his Nov. 8 Maryland gubernatorial race against Trump-endorsed Republican state Del. Dan Cox (R-Frederick) in November. Courtesy of Wes Moore for Maryland

First-time Democratic candidate Wesley Moore, an author and former CEO of an anti-poverty nonprofit, has been elected Maryland’s first black governor, according to projections.

Moore, 43, a U.S. Army Ranger war veteran and investment banker who had the vocal backing of TV maven Oprah Winfrey, was projected to beat Del. Dan Cox (R-Frederick) in their Nov. 8 gubernatorial race to succeed the term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Moore had 60.5 percent of the votes with about half of precincts reporting, according to the Maryland Secretary of State Office. Cox had 36 percent.

The Associated Press called the race for Moore, who is poised to become the third African-American governor in the nation’s history.