Moore Pulls Ahead Of Franchot, Perez In Maryland Governor’s Democratic Primary

Last Update: Wednesday at 10:51 a.m.

MARYLAND — The Democratic primary election for governor is tight as officials continue to count ballots.

Political newcomer Wes Moore was leading Comptroller Peter Franchot and Obama official Tom Perez early on.

Unofficial ballot counts showed Wednesday that Moore had 36.70 percent of the vote. Perez was in second with 27.38 percent of the support. Franchot was in third, carrying 19.62 percent. About 98 percent of the state's precincts had reported as of 10:50 a.m.

Scroll to the bottom of this story for the full unofficial results.

Moore spoke to supporters Tuesday just after 11 p.m. He pledged to invest in a world-class education system, teach children to be business owners and invest in trade programs.

"We are going to address climate change with the urgency it deserves," Moore said. "Every segment of our society is feeling its impacts right now."

The frontrunner also addressed the ongoing gun violence in the city of Baltimore.

"No child should have to grow up in fear of their own neighborhood," Moore said. "Everyone should feel safe in their own skin."

Election and campaign officials caution that races may not be called until mail-in ballots are counted, which starts at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Maryland's polls closed Tuesday at 8 p.m. The winner will face the Republican nominee in the general election on Nov. 8. That victor will replace Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is finishing his second term and cannot run again.

The Associated Press already called the GOP governor's primary for Dan Cox, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump. His projected victory over Kelly Schulz, who is backed by Hogan, signals a shift among Maryland Republicans. Our coverage of the Republican race is posted here.

Related: Dan Cox Wins GOP Nomination For Governor Over Kelly Schulz: AP

Public Safety

Patch visited the polling site at Odenton Elementary School on Tuesday to speak with voters. Democrats told us that they valued public safety, abortion rights and education during this year's election.

Francine Pratts went to the polls with her son, who is voting in his first election.

Pratts worries about her son's safety as a young Black man. She is looking for leaders who will make her family feel secure.

"My son is 19 years old, and I fear for him every day because I just don't know what's going to happen as he leaves the house," Pratts told Patch. "As good as a young man as he is, they can't find out what his character is sometimes beyond his complexion, and he has a lot to contribute to our community."

The 56-year-old Pratts also wants to see the police improve their communication with their neighborhoods. Pratts understands the controversial nature of police reform, but she thinks open dialogue can reinvigorate the relationship between Marylanders and law enforcement.

"We can't function without them, whether people want to believe it or not," Pratts said of the police. "And they can't function without us, whether they want to believe it or not. I would love to see our community come together."

Pratts did not remember who she voted for in the governor's race. She changed her vote twice after considering what each candidate stood for.

Though Pratts is a registered Democrat, she was a fan of Hogan. Pratts appreciated his bipartisan nature in such a deep blue state.

"I really loved Hogan," Pratts said. "I'm not a Republican, but I liked what he did. I can't deny that."

Pratts votes in every election. Her father instilled that value in her at a young age. Pratts hopes her son continues the family's tradition of civic engagement.

"So many people, African-Americans, died so that we would have this choice and this opportunity to vote," Pratts said. "This is our voice. If I don't cast my vote, I feel like I am letting my ancestors down. I'm letting down the future of our nation, so I have a responsibility to vote."

Abortion Rights

Skye Regensburg also votes in every election. The 36-year-old was especially motivated to vote this year because the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Roe v. Wade precedent that previously protected the right to an abortion. Individual states now have the ability to decide whether to allow the procedures.

Regardless of opinions, abortions will likely continue in Maryland for now. The state passed a law in 1991 to protect abortion rights if Roe v. Wade was ever overturned.

Maryland also passed the Abortion Care Access Act this April to increase the number of local providers. Previously, only physicians could perform abortions in the state. The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing reported that the new law allowed nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to perform abortions starting July 1.

Related: MD Abortion Reaction Split On Party Lines After Court Ruling

Despite these steps, Regensburg still worries that politicians may eventually outlaw abortions in Maryland as well.

"You can say it's likely going to be protected," said Regensburg, who wore a Planned Parenthood pin to the polls. "I never thought that I would ever see Roe v. Wade be overturned, and that happened."

Education

Shakira Vaughn is most concerned with Maryland’s quality of education. She works in the principal’s office at MacArthur Middle School on Fort Meade.

The 45-year-old has seen students struggle throughout the pandemic. This school year was especially tough on students as they adjusted to their return to the classroom.

Vaughn wants elected officials to understand the challenges that students and teachers have faced in recent years.

“I need them to kind of respect that teachers should really get paid,” the Democrat said. “The students need more emotional-social support because being home for almost two years is hard on a student. It really is.”

Vaughn said she voted for everybody endorsed by her union, the Secretaries and Assistants Association of Anne Arundel County. That union is a part of the Maryland State Education Association, which backed Moore’s gubernatorial bid.

Democratic Race

Goucher College conducted a poll one month before the primary election to gauge voter opinions. The poll suggested that Franchot led the Democratic field heading into the primary with 16 percent of the vote.

Moore, a veteran and a small business owner, appeared tied with Perez before the election. Perez was President Barack Obama's Labor Secretary and the former chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Moore and Perez were both polling at 14 percent. The next closest candidate was former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who had 5 percent of the anticipated support.

About 35 percent of Democratic voters were undecided. Around 63 percent said they “could change their mind” and a third were set on their choice.

"The three frontrunners—Franchot, Moore, and Perez—each have the campaign funds and endorsements to compete for the voters of a largely undecided and malleable Democratic primary electorate," said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College. "Still, even with the investments of their significant resources, it’s unclear how much attention the average voter will pay to the mid-July primary."

Candidate Priorities

One of Franchot's top priorities is rebuilding trust in the state government. In his first six months, Franchot hopes to fill every pothole on state-maintained roads, clear all the trash off state roads and answer every Marylander’s call to state agencies within 60 seconds with a live professional. His other goals include creating 100,000 jobs in 100 weeks, bolstering the state's transportation system and improving education.

Franchot was endorsed by former Lt. Gov. Mickey Steinberg, a Democrat who served as the No. 2 leader behind former Gov. William Donald Schaefer. Additional details on Franchot are posted at this link.

Moore's biggest concern is the economy. He wants to produce 150,000 new STEM graduates during his first term. He also hopes to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023, which is two years before the existing deadline under state law. Moore additionally has an eye on education, health care and transportation.

Moore is endorsed by fellow Democrat Steny Hoyer, the majority leader of the U.S. House and the representative of Maryland's 5th Congressional District. To read up on Moore, click here.

At the top of Perez's platform lies detailed-oriented governance. He envisions responsible budgeting and major contributions to Maryland's rainy day fund. Perez similarly cares about rights for people with disabilities, criminal justice reform and empowering Black Marylanders.

Visit this website to learn more about Perez, who is endorsed by The Washington Post.

Hogan's Next Move

Hogan's support is rare in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1.

The Goucher Poll found that 64 percent of Maryland Democrats have a favorable view of Hogan. Similarly, 67 percent of Republicans have a favorable view of the governor.

This bipartisan approval helped Hogan become the second Republican governor to be re-elected in the state's history.

Some think Hogan could move over to the U.S. Senate after his term is up. The governor, however, ruled out that possibility earlier this year.

Rumors have swirled that Hogan is considering a presidential run in 2024. Hogan frequently quarreled with Trump during his presidency. In a potential presidential bid, Hogan may attract moderate Republicans and deflect stronger conservatives that prefer Trump.

About 39 percent of Maryland Republicans would consider voting for Hogan in a theoretical GOP presidential primary, Goucher said. In comparison, 45 percent would not consider voting for him and 11 percent said "it depends."

When Will The Results Be Certified?

The Maryland State Board of Elections expects to certify the final results during the week of Aug. 8. Officials will announce the unofficial early voting and election day results on Tuesday evening, but they still have to count the mail-in, dropbox and provisional ballots.

State law says these tallies must start and end on specific dates after election day. That means the final and official results will come a few weeks after voters hit the polls.

Unofficial Ballot Count

Governor / Lt. Governor

Republican Candidates - Vote for 1

County Break Down (2035 of 2074 election day precincts reported)

Democratic Candidates - Vote for 1

County Break Down (2035 of 2074 election day precincts reported)