Ed Hale, who is challenging Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial primary, announced on Wednesday that he will switch parties to run against the Maryland governor as a Republican.
A longtime Democrat known as the former chairman and CEO of 1st Mariner Bank, Hale was initially set to mount a primary challenge against Moore, a fairly popular governor viewed as one of the Left’s rising stars, as a member of his native Democratic Party.
As he launched his campaign this week, Hale revealed he believed Moore holds too much power in the state to leave challengers any real chance at winning the primary. Running as a Republican and striking a centrist tone could broaden his base, Hale hopes, giving him leverage needed to keep Moore from easily clinching a second term as Maryland governor by wielding the commanding strappings of incumbency.
“There’s no way I could win against Wes Moore with that machine he’s got,” Hale said during a press conference at the Canton Waterfront Park on Wednesday morning. “He takes all the money and oxygen out of a room, and I can’t do it. I’m a pragmatist, and I’m a moderate person. That’s just the way I am.”
“I don’t believe I have a chance, based on the polling that was done, to beat him,” he added. “I had a chance, but it was not as good as I think I would have running as a Republican.”
Hale said during a WBAL Newsradio interview Thursday that although he is no fan of President Donald Trump, he is willing to work with him, a bipartisan stance he hopes could help him with voters frustrated with Democrats’ antagonistic Trump resistance agenda.
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Author: Marty Kaufmann
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