Maryland Governor Wes Moor announced that he will not be throwing his hat in the ring for the 2028 presidential race. The news comes after months of speculation about his potential run, fueled by his rising popularity and his name being mentioned as a potential contender.
Moore announced an appearance on The View on Thursday, when co-host Joy Behar pressed him on whether he would run for president. His response: “I am not running.”
When Behar jokingly asked if he would change his mind if the country “really, really, really needed him,” Moore didn’t budge.
The Maryland Democrat’s refusal to entertain a presidential bid in 2028 is a bit of a shocker, especially considering the high-profile praise he’s received from various quarters, including actor George Clooney.
“I think Wes Moore should be president. I think he’s going to be a real force in the next election,” Clooney said to Patti LuPone for Variety’s Actors on Actors series.
However, Moore has made it clear that, despite his growing national recognition, he’s focused on his current role in Maryland and has no intention of shifting gears to a White House campaign.
Moore did hint at his potential foray into presidential politics during the Gridiron Club event, where he jokingly said, “If I actually wanted to be president, I wouldn’t do any of this.” His comment only added fuel to the fire of speculation, though his latest statement on The View seems to firmly close the door for now.
The announcement also comes at a time when other Democratic governors, including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, have been floated as potential contenders for the 2028 race.
While Moore’s decision to stay out of the 2028 race might surprise many, it’s possible that his stance could change as the Democratic primary landscape becomes clearer in the next few years.
So, while we may not be seeing Wes Moore in the presidential race anytime soon, it’s clear that his political future is still one to watch.
