Maryland’s GOP governor nominee ‘not pursuing’ Trump’s backing in race against Wes Moore

Maryland Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox isn’t courting President Donald Trump’s support in his second campaign against Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD), despite the conservative former firebrand state lawmaker being warmly embraced by the president in 2022.

Cox, in a nod to The Old Line State’s blue voting tendencies and a symbol of how he’s moderated some of his more extreme election fraud rhetoric from his first go-around, acknowledged Republicans across the map “have to be smart to win.”

“No conversations, and I’m not pursuing that,” Cox told the Washington Examiner in an interview Friday about talks with anyone in Trump’s orbit or the desire for an endorsement. “It’s important that the president continue his role of serving the nation, and getting involved in endorsing a candidate for office in Maryland, I don’t think it is something that would be helpful to — well, I wouldn’t say helpful. I don’t think that would be something that is within the importance of his work.”

His comments came just days after Trump spoke at a Baltimore shipyard Tuesday as part of an official visit to tout a new public-private project with the Navy to expand U.S. submarine production and defense manufacturing.

“He came to Maryland the other day and did exactly what he has been doing across the nation, and that is trying to bring economic boost,” Cox said.

The former Maryland delegate lost to Moore in 2022 by more than 32 points in a race to succeed the term-limited centrist Republican governor, Larry Hogan. Trump’s endorsement catapulted Cox from a long-shot underdog to primary winner against Hogan Cabinet member Kelly Schulz. Hogan was a staunch Trump opponent.

But in a state Trump lost by nearly 29 points to former Vice President Kamala Harris, and with the GOP facing midterm headwinds from voters’ affordability anxieties, Cox’s mindset has evolved. Former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich, who served from 2003-2007 and branded himself as a right-of-center Republican, serves as Cox’s campaign finance adviser and is among those he said who are helping him make a broader appeal.

“I think the approach that the president made clear to Republicans everywhere, as leader of our party, is that we have to be smart to win,” Cox said. “I am working hard with Governor Ehrlich as my finance chair to rebuild the, what I would call the Ehrlich-Hogan coalition across Maryland and to strengthen that common sense economic approach.”

Dan Cox, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Maryland, speaks during a campaign results reception, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

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Dan Cox, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Maryland, speaks during a campaign results reception, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

Cox has not spoken with Hogan, who was critical of his 2022 candidacy and stolen 2020 election claims that mirrored those of Trump and his allies. He noted that he has “members of [Hogan’s] Cabinet helping me and advising me,” and praised Hogan’s tenure handling economic issues.

WES MOORE’S 2028 DODGE COMPLICATES REELECTION PITCH IN MARYLAND

Still, Cox faces long-shot — if not insurmountable — odds against Moore, a Democratic figure with national name identification who leads by a 2:1 margin in the polls and is widely expected to run for president in 2028. The first-term governor refused to rule out leaving office early during their debate this week, and he’s spent much of his time in office traversing the country to campaign for battleground candidates. Moore has previously denied he’s weighing a White House bid.

“If you’re standing for governor and not willing to serve as governor, why would you vote for that person? I think it’s a travesty,” Cox said of Moore’s dodge on the debate stage for serving a full second term. “Let’s bring the lieutenant governor on stage then, because I need to debate the person who wants to be governor.”

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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]