Wes Moore — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Maryland, 2026

Wes Moore advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, asserting that Maryland's immigrant population is a strength. He criticized both the Trump administration's "cruel and reckless political agenda" and the Biden administration for not sufficiently addressing immigration. In February 2026, Moore signed emergency legislation ending Maryland's participation in 287(g) agreements, aiming to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and ensure constitutional policing. He also announced Citizenship Maryland to assist eligible residents.

“We will not allow untrained, unqualified and unaccountable agents to deputize our brave local law enforcement. Because Maryland is a community of immigrants, It is not our weakness. It is our strength. This is not rhetoric. This is our reality." - Gov. Wes Moore, as quoted by Fox5DC, February 2026.”

Wes Moore's 2026 budget proposal includes $14 billion for Maryland's Medicaid program, aiming to protect the program from federal actions and provide care for over 1.4 million residents. He emphasized making these investments while maintaining fiscal discipline and not raising taxes. Moore also introduced legislation to base the state's vaccine policy on science, independent of federal authority. However, his FY27 budget proposal includes some cuts to mental health funding and freezes provider reimbursement rates.

“We have proposed $14 billion for the State’s Medicaid program. It provides health care for over 1.4 million Marylanders. And we’ve made these investments without compromising fiscal discipline.”

Wes Moore prioritizes funding to protect Maryland's environment and combat climate change in the FY2027 budget, citing clean air and water as essential for health. He supports the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019's renewable energy goals and seeks more ambitious regulations for 100% clean energy by 2035 and net zero carbon by 2045. Moore reversed a veto to fund a climate change impact study with $500,000 and proposes a 'cap-and-invest' program to tax polluters.

“And today, I am announcing that in order to receive my support, new data center projects must hire local workers, engage local government and communities, and cover the cost of their own power needs." - Wes Moore, State of the State 2026”

Wes Moore supports abortion rights and aims to make reproductive care more accessible and affordable in Maryland, emphasizing that Marylanders deserve autonomy over their reproductive healthcare. As governor, he signed a bill establishing a $25 million grant fund to expand abortion access for uninsured individuals. He also approved $1.3 million toward purchasing mifepristone and misoprostol and plans to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

““AS GOVERNOR, I WILL FIGHT TO DEFEND EVERY MARYLANDER’S RIGHT TO ACCESS SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTIONS – including by working to pass a constitutional amendment – and oppose any efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care in Maryland. Our responsibility to fiercely protect and defend the right to an abortion could not be more urgent. The Moore-Miller administration will always stand firmly in support of reproductive freedoms. Abortion is health care,” said Wes Moore. (Wes Moore, Wes Moore For Maryland Reproductive Rights One-Pager, June 2022)”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Wes Moore proposes a historic $10 billion for public schools, with the FY26 budget allocating $9.7 billion to K-12 education to improve results. He supports an Academic Excellence Program to provide educators with tools and resources, aiming to make Maryland a national leader in early literacy and ensure students are career-ready. Moore also focuses on teacher recruitment, having halved the teacher vacancy rate.

“This year, we are proposing a historic $10 billion for public schools. These are targeted investments that will deliver results in our communities. The foundation of our approach is a new Academic Excellence Program. (Wes Moore, 2026 State of the State Address, WBALTV.com)”

Wes Moore supports gun control measures, as evidenced by his statement after the Fourth Circuit upheld Maryland’s 2023 law banning concealed carry in sensitive locations. He states that protecting the Second Amendment can coexist with safeguarding Marylanders from gun dangers in places like schools and hospitals. Moore also advocates for keeping illegal guns off streets and has been endorsed by Giffords, a gun violence prevention organization.

““Today’s ruling is a major win for public safety in Maryland. The Fourth Circuit affirmed what common sense — and our Constitution — already makes clear: we can protect the Second Amendment while also protecting Marylanders from the heightened dangers of guns in places like schools, hospitals, public transportation, parks, and other spaces where families should be able to live, learn, and move about safely. We will continue working with law ​enforcement, community leaders, and partners across the state to keep illegal guns off our streets and prevent tragedy before it happens — while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners.” — Governor Wes Moore, governor.maryland.gov, 1/20/2026”