Wes Moore dicusses becoming Maryland’s first African-American Governor, goals for the state
SALISBURY, Md. – After a victorious election night, Wes Moore will be Maryland’s next governor, defeating Republican candidate Dan Cox and ending 8 years of Republican control under Governor Larry Hogan and becoming the state’s first African-American Governor.
“I’m thankful to the people of Maryland that made us not just able to win but to have a mandate,” Governor-Elect Wes Moore told 47ABC, explaining that he understands the gravity of this moment, especially for black voters.
“We have not always been seen or heard or represented in the biggest offices and to be the first black governor is very humbling but I know that is not the assignment,” Gov. Elect Moore said.
He says the assignment is his campaign slogan, ‘Leave No Marylander Behind’.
Those words caught the attention of Talbot County NAACP Director Richard Potter Jr, who says that must include communities of color and the eastern shore as a whole.
“For too long marginalized communities have been disenfranchised or not had a seat at the table but we now have a seat at the head table,” Potter said.
Moore says his administration will address issues that affect the whole state, and those specific to the shore with a focus on equity and bringing everyone into the fold.
“When we say leave no one behind we mean folks on the shore as well, making sure we protect waterman but also ensuring broadband and wifi access through the state, especially on the shore, also focusing on environmental issues protections cleaning the bay and doing things like fully funding the bay restoration fund,” Moore said.
He tells he is proud of his coalition of support that saw a mix of labor, business, and law enforcement leaders and he says he promised all a seat at the table, as his administration seeks to move the state forward.
“Everyone is going to have a seat at the table everyone is going to have their voices heard,” Moore said adding ” that work we’ve got to do, means making sure we are creating 21s century education for our kids prioritizing public safety and keeping illegal guns out of our neighborhoods.”
Moore tells 47ABC even with the FOP endorsement he remains committed to increasing police accountability.
“When we say we are going to have a police force that is going to move with appropriate intensity and absolute integrity and full accountability but doing it in partnership with local jurisdiction, I mean that and we will make partnerships to make it happen,” Moore said.
Potter tells 47ABC, that when those discussions, negotiations, and decisions are being made, having a person of color in the room and at the top of the chain of command; matters.
“[Moore] can come at it with that lens, with lived experience, and have those voices heard at that head table,” Potter said.
