§1Candidates
Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.
§2Side by side
Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.
| Fact | Wes Moore | Dan Cox | Andy Ellis | Cathy White |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party on the ballot | Democratic1, | Republican1, | Green1, | Working Class Party1, |
| Status | Incumbent | Challenger | Challenger | Challenger |
| Money | Candidates for governor file campaign-finance reports with the state, not the FEC, so this guide doesn't include their fundraising. Search the state's reports: Campaign finance database search — Maryland State Board of Elections.5 | |||
| State K-12 school funding | Increase state funding for public schools His campaign website says he has increased state education funding every year he has been in office, with more than $10 billion for schools in this year's budget, and raised teacher starting salaries to $60,000.6 | His campaign website says his administration would make sure schools are fully funded and that the money goes to classrooms.7 | His campaign website says he supports full funding of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future school plan, paid for through progressive taxes.8 | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| Data centers and electricity costs | Not found in the public sources we checked | Pause or limit new data centers His campaign website says he would order a moratorium on all data centers in Maryland to protect farmland, waterways and communities.7 | Pause or limit new data centers His campaign website says he would issue an executive order on his first day stopping state approvals of data center permits and would sponsor legislation banning new data center construction and repealing state tax breaks for data centers.9 | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| State government spending | His campaign website says that this year he turned a projected $1.5 billion cash shortfall into a $250 million surplus with no new taxes or fees, and that he turned an inherited deficit into a surplus through the largest cut to a Maryland state budget in 16 years.10, | Cut state spending and return the savings through tax cuts or rebates His campaign website says he would hold spending to what matters most, with no pet projects, so that taxes and fees can be reduced and eliminated.12 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| State income tax | His campaign website says he cut taxes for the middle class, with 94% getting a tax break or no change in their tax bill.10 | Cut rates or move to a single flat rate His campaign website says he plans to cut the state's corporate and income tax rates to 4.9%.7 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Not found in the public sources we checked |
Issues only one candidate has addressed
By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.
Wes Moore — 2 issues
- Police fundingIncrease police funding, for example to hire more officersHis campaign website says he has put record funding into local law enforcement, including more than $50 million for Baltimore City.13
- State minimum wageHis campaign website says he raised the state minimum wage to $15 an hour in his first 100 days as governor.11
Dan Cox — 3 issues
- Nuclear power
- Help for first-time homebuyersHis campaign website says he plans a home affordability program that would consider down payment assistance and tax credits for first-time and young homebuyers and cut building and permitting costs.12
- Property taxesHis campaign website says he would use state law and executive action to limit, cap and, where possible, eliminate property taxes so seniors are not taxed out of their homes.12
Andy Ellis — 4 issues
- Collective bargaining for public employeesHis campaign website says he would sponsor legislation giving public sector workers the right to strike.14
- Campaign finance rulesLimit spending by outside groups, including by amending the Constitution to overturn Citizens UnitedHis campaign website says he would sponsor legislation for public financing of all state-level and school board races and a Corporate Reset Act barring corporations from campaign finance activity.15
- Ranked-choice votingUse ranked-choice voting in more electionsHis campaign website says he would sponsor legislation for ranked-choice voting in statewide, federal and state senate races and let parties and counties opt in to it for primaries and general elections.15
- Rules for citizen ballot measuresMake it easier to get measures on the ballot, and limit lawmakers' power to change voter-approved lawsHis campaign website says he would work to put a constitutional amendment before voters allowing citizen initiatives for statewide constitutional amendments, and would allow electronic signatures on ballot petitions.15
Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.