OWINGS MILLS — Gubernatorial candidates Gov. Wes Moore and Republican challenger Dan Cox clashed Tuesday over some of Maryland’s most pressing issues, including data centers, ICE policies and massive federal job losses, while also trading personal attacks.
The stakes were high in the only scheduled debate before the Nov. 3 election, although Cox challenged Moore to debate again at Morgan State University or Coppin State University, two historically Black colleges.
“Will you agree today to go and let’s have a better discussion about this at the HBCUs?” Cox asked, when the discussion turned to reparations.
Moore responded by asking to move to the next question.
Maryland Public Television hosted the hour-long debate, which was pre-recorded earlier Tuesday in Owings Mills and aired at 7 p.m. WBAL-TV news anchor Jason Newton moderated the debate alongside three panelists, MPT’s Jeff Salkin, NBC4 Washington’s Tracee Wilkins and the Baltimore Banner’s Pamela Wood.
During the debate, Cox repeatedly criticized Moore’s leadership during his first term, blaming the Democrat for what he called “some of the highest energy bills in the nation,” the “second worst economy in the nation” and low national rankings in math and reading.
Moore accused Cox of spending the hour lying to Marylanders. He blamed the Trump administration for challenges facing the state, including thousands of federal job cuts, high tariffs and “endless foreign wars.”
Moore referred to President Donald Trump as Cox’s “good friend.”
Moore, who defeated Cox in a 2022 bid for governor, defended his own record, highlighting the drop in teacher vacancy rates and violent crimes in Maryland.
At one point, Moore was pressed to address speculations about his potential presidential run and his frequent trips out of state.
Asked whether he would commit to serving the full four-year term if reelected, Moore said, “Being the governor of Maryland has been in the honor of a lifetime … I’m committed to the people of Maryland, and that’s why I’m running for re-election.”
In his rebuttal, Cox criticized Moore’s vague answer.
“This governor will not look you in the eyes again and promise to not run for president,” he said.
Here are some takeaways:
Data Center development
Moore and Cox sparred over data center development in Maryland, a key campaign issue. “Data centers” and “data center” were the most common two-word phrases used in the debate, appearing 17 times throughout, according to a data analysis by Capital News Service.
Moore signed an executive order Sept. 23 to create guardrails for developing data centers in the state. They include the creation of a uniform standard, a review process and a public record for each data center that covers 25 megawatts or more.
But Cox called Moore’s proposal “political theater” and said it will “supercharge” data center development, which he said is at odds with the growing number of counties placing moratoriums on data centers.
Cox said he will work to protect rural areas from data center development and other energy projects.
“I’m speaking for the people of Maryland — I’ll defend our state,” he said.
Moore countered by bringing up Cox’s pivot on data center development. In 2020, Cox, a former Maryland state delegate, co-sponsored a bill that exempted data centers from the state’s sales and use tax. He now calls for a statewide ban on data center development.
Cox said he believes “the data centers of seven years ago are not the data centers of today.”
“Despite the fact that Dan Cox tried to usher them in with multimillion dollar tax incentives, I have said that if local jurisdictions say no, that is a final answer,” Moore said. “Data centers do not get to write the rules. We do.”
ICE and immigration
Both candidates bickered over immigration issues, including the creation of detention centers and the arrests of some Marylanders.
Moore defended his work with local law enforcement agencies and said his administration has given them record funding to keep the state safe.
Concerns have been raised about the increased presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Moore said he would work with anybody to go after the “worst of the worst,” but won’t allow local law enforcement to be “deputized” to go after Marylanders who have “been here for decades” and citizens like a pastor who “leads a congregation.”
Moore said there should be an “entire reevaluation” of how federal immigration enforcement is working in Maryland communities.
“There is nothing that I will not do to keep them safe,” he said.
Cox said Moore is causing the ICE raids in Maryland, and that the first one didn’t happen until after Moore became governor.
“The state and federal partnership is so crucial to keeping peace and safety,” Cox said.
Rebuilding of the Key Bridge
Moore and Cox disagreed over how quickly the Francis Scott Key Bridge is being rebuilt.
Cox said the bridge won’t be done by 2030.
“There’s not a demolition finished yet, and yet your little website says that it’s done,’’ Cox said. “Well, guess what? People can’t drive on a website. They need a bridge and I’ll build it.”
Moore said Democrats and Republicans have been working together to get the bridge done “in a fraction of the time” it took to initially build it. He said he is optimistic the project will be finished on time and dismissed Cox’s criticism as “MAGA talking points.”
High costs in Maryland
Cox pressed Moore on Maryland’s high property taxes and electricity bills promising he would not raise taxes and fees if elected.
Moore repeatedly accused the Trump administration of causing higher costs in Maryland.
“This is the agenda that Dan Cox says he supports 100%,” Moore said. “While they’re focused on the wealthy elites, I’m focused on working families, and that’s why we’ve cut taxes for the middle class and for military families.”
Critics have said Moore’s 2025 tax reform plan didn’t make a big enough difference for many taxpayers.
When asked about Maryland’s $3 billion budget deficit, Moore said the state has faced a structural deficit for decades and said addressing it will require controlling spending and attracting more private investment.
Cox criticized Moore’s leadership, pointing to Virginia’s economic success compared to Maryland, despite similar federal job cuts.
Attracting business to Maryland
Moore touted his efforts to create new businesses in the state, pointing to companies such as Anduril and AstraZeneca, which he said created thousands of jobs.
“My job is to go out there and bring these businesses to Maryland, and I’m not going to stop,” Moore said.
Cox argued the state needs more industry. Six Flags America closed in 2025 and the Guinness Open Gate Brewery will close by the end of 2026, he said.
In the wake of the widespread federal layoffs, Cox said laid off workers need more support to re-enter the workforce.
“It is going to be a trainwreck unless we address this and bring people back to Maryland,” Cox said.
Moore called the layoffs “brutal” and highlighted programs under his administration to re-train federal workers, such as the Feds to Eds program, which seeks to train former federal workers to teach in classrooms.
In closing remarks, Cox said another Moore term will not lead to substantial changes in the state.
“Are you really better off than you used to be four years ago?” Cox said. “Because more of the same is what you’ll get if you reelect him.”
Moore said Americans are living in uncertain times, and lies and division can make it feel like politicians aren’t listening.
“We need leaders who are fighting for you and not just focusing on fighting each other,” he said. “That despite the chaos and the corruption that we have seen in Washington, D.C., I have never been more confident in Maryland’s future.”
This story was originally published by Capital News Service, cnsmaryland.org. Reprinted without changes.