Projected Maryland governor Wes Moore discusses historic election with WJZ
BALTIMORE -- Wes Moore, the projected winner of Maryland's gubernatorial race is scheduled to meet with Governor Larry Hogan on Thursday.
Moore says he along with his team is earnestly working to ensure a seamless transition during the next two months leading up to the Inauguration.
Moore will become Maryland's first Black governor. His running-mate Aruna Miller will also set history as the state's first immigrant and woman of color to serve as lieutenant governor.
In an interview with Ava-joye Burnett the day after Tuesday's historic election, Moore acknowledged the precedent that has been set.
"While I am very humbled by the historic nature of the campaign for both myself and my running mate, that's not why we're in this race. We're not in this race to make history. We are in this race because we believe deeply in this next four years and working in partnership with Marylanders - that we are going to make a whole lot of the challenges that we are facing as a state - history," said Moore.
Moore will now have to continue building his team, including cabinet secretaries who will help him deliver on promises he made on the campaign trail - such as reducing income inequality, providing opportunities for job development, improving transportation options, providing free PRE-K and also reducing crime in areas of the state that have struggled with violence.
"What are your key priorities in this two-month period," Ava-joye Burnett asked Moore Wednesday afternoon.
"I think the key priorities - that we are going to be establishing a transition and transformation team that is going to ensure that come January - come Inauguration, we're ready to go. And that means having pieces in place that's going to show a measure of not just continuity of government, but showing the frame in the way we are approaching government."
Delegate Dan Cox called governor-elect Wes Moore to congratulate him and to concede from the race for governor.
"We had a really nice and brief conversation, but he was very gracious," said Moore.
The Associated Press called the race around 8 p.m. Tuesday, projecting Moore as the winner of Maryland's governor's seat, and making him the state's first Black governor.
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, 89 percent of the votes were counted with Moore owning nearly 60 percent of the votes.
"I wish Governor-elect Wes Moore and Lt. Gov.-elect Aruna Miller and their families every blessing and success to ensure that he will keep his word and govern positively for all Marylanders," Cox said. "I will pray for them and their new role for all of us. I also urged that he will honor and protect constitutional rights, property rights, lower taxes and back the Blue Line and First Responders as he has said he would, support our families and small businesses in our freedom and opportunity, never again lock us down or force health care decisions, and ensure that no one is left behind, including parents in their children's education decisions and choices."
"And it is not lost on me that I've made some history here tonight, too. But I also know I'm not the first one to try. This is just more proof that progress is possible in Maryland. And I am humbled to be a part of this legacy," said Moore.
Moore also said he is calling on the support of Marylanders who did not vote for him.
"I'm letting them know that I plan on being their governor too, and I need their help," said Moore. "I'm hoping that even if I didn't receive their support in this election, I'm asking that they will give us a chance and give us a try."
Moore, a former combat veteran and former CEO of one of the nation's largest anti-poverty organizations, campaigned on creating equal opportunity for Maryland residents.
"This can be Maryland's moment," Moore said during his debate with Cox. "We have amazing people and incredible potential, but not everybody's in a position to succeed."
When Cox spoke just before 11 p.m. on Election Night, he trailed by 23 percent of the votes.
In his statement, Cox sows some doubt, saying, "The outcome was a complete surprise" and "Our internal data demonstrated a massive shift of swing voters our way and a huge turnout of Republicans -- neither of which is reported to have occurred.
Cox also show criticized outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan for his "failure to step up to support his party nominee and all its voters."
He went on to say that Hogan's "disrespect will go down in history as disqualifying him from any future office as a Republican."