Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) said Sunday that he believes several statewide races in the historically red U.S. South are “in play” for Democrats this cycle, adding that the party has “made mistakes in not investing earlier” in the region.
“We've seen some movement, especially in the South -- talk of Florida potentially being in play, Mississippi, South Carolina. Do you think those places are really in play?” asked “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl Sunday, adding, "And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?”
“They are,” Moore said. “They are in play, and we have made mistakes in not investing earlier. And I don't even think just earlier in this cycle -- I think earlier in this generation.”
Moore said the Democratic Party had largely written off the region, which he said has led to fewer history-making candidates being elected.
Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., appears on ABC News' "This Week."
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“I am the third African American ever elected governor in the history of the United States of America. That's not because I'm the third African American ever qualified. That's because oftentimes there's been chronic underinvestment,” Moore said.
Democrats are increasingly bullish about their midterm prospects. Polls for top-of-the-ticket races in Texas, Iowa, Kansas and Alaska have shown the Democratic candidates tied with, or even leading against, Republican contenders. More recent polling suggests that statewide races in places considered to be even more in the GOP’s grip -- like Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi -- are closer than expected.
Moore noted his campaign “personally invested” in Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa’s campaign.
“The wonderful thing that I feel about Gina or Keisha [Lance Bottoms in Georgia] or, or Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina is that they would be history-making candidates, but making history is not the assignment. The assignment is to win,” Moore said. “The assignment is to do things like making sure that we can provide health care for people. The assignment is to make sure that we can end child poverty. The assignment is to make sure that we can raise wages."
"If you can do that, then I think you have really good candidates who don't have a chance to win, but really good chance, have a chance to make life better for the people in their states,” Moore declared.
Moore predicted that Democrats would have the successful election they’re hoping for.
“I think it's not just that the base is, is energized. I think right now the base is [enlarged], and that is, that is important,” he said. “I’m seeing it all over the state of Maryland, where we’re campaigning for re-election. … But I'm also seeing it when I'm out campaigning for other common-sense leaders around the country.”
“People are excited right now because they're looking for leadership that's not just going to push back against this corruption from [President] Donald Trump, but push forward for a new direction,” he added.
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While the 2026 midterm election is now nine days away, jockeying for the 2028 presidential election is already underway. Karl pressed Moore on whether he’d be one of the Democrats expected to make a run for the White House.
“You’ve been pretty clear over the past year that you’re not running for president, but you seem to be a little less clear now,” Karl said. “Have you changed your mind on this?”
“You know, no, because I’m very focused on--,” Moore began.
“You haven’t changed your mind? So you’re committed to fulfilling a full term [as governor]?” Karl interjected.
“Yeah, I wouldn't be running for re-election if I was thinking about anything else, to be clear,” Moore said. “My entire focus right now is on the people of Maryland.”
Karl also asked Moore to share a few words that came to mind about other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates.
On Sen. Mark Kelly: “Remarkable veteran.”
On former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “Remarkably competent.”
On Gov. Josh Shapiro: “Really solid advocate.”
On former Vice President Kamala Harris: “Really decent person and great vice president.”
On Gov. Gavin Newsom: “Strong leader.”
On Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “Passionate advocate.”