Candidate Comparison:

Maryland Governor

Moore is committed to ensuring that Marylanders are paid a decent wage, saying, “I believe that every Marylander deserves the opportunity to hold a decent job, earn a living wage, and have the ability to build wealth for their family.” He also is dedicated to raising Maryland’s minimum wage, expanding the child and dependent tax credit, and ensuring equal pay for women.[1]	In 2019, Cox voted against a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage.[2]

Moore is committed to ensuring every Marylander has paid sick, family, and medical leave, saying, “No one should have to choose between caring for a new child or loved one and their pay.” He supports establishing a paid family and medical leave program in Maryland and has said he would sign such a law if elected Governor.	Cox voted against a 2022 bill establishing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program which guarantees Maryland workers up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill loved one, deal with their own serious health needs, or address needs in connection with military deployment.[4]
Moore supports making childcare more affordable and accessible. He wants to develop a financial aid system that caps childcare expenses based on household income.[3]

Moore supports the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes funds that state and local governments can use to provide premium pay to essential workers. [5]	Cox supporters failed to protect workers during the pandemic.[6]

Moore is committed to ensuring equitable access to health insurance, saying, “Our administration will continue to work with the legislature to ensure every Marylander has access to quality, affordable health care.”	In 2021, Cox was one of only two members of the Maryland House of Delegates to vote against enabling expanded telehealth opportunities for patients and providers.[8]
Moore promises to lower the cost of prescription drugs by “empowering the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to review costs and set limits for prescription drugs, exploring bulk purchasing pools, and leveraging the state’s purchasing power to drive down costs.”[7]

Moore is committed to raising Maryland’s minimum wage to help residents keep up with the increasing cost of living and inflation. He also said that he will “support a pause on the increase in the gas tax.” [9]	Cox has not proposed any solutions aimed at tackling inflation or rising prices. [10]

Moore comes from a union family and has said that he knows “how important unions are to providing pathways to equitable economic advancement.” Moore has said his administration will tackle wage theft, penalize bad actors, and produce reports to prevent abuse. Additionally, Moore will strengthen state collective-bargaining agreements and encourage county and municipal governments to follow suit.	In 2022, Cox voted against legislation that would create a tax deduction for union dues, and he counts among his endorsers many anti-worker politicians.[12]
Moore has received multiple union endorsements, including from the Maryland State Education Association, Ironworkers Local 5, and the Baltimore Fire Officers Union Local 964. [11]

CHECK THE FACTS:

Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 11/26/2021; Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022; Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022; Wes Moore for Governor, accessed 7/25/2022.
LegiScan, HB 166, 3/20/2019; Vox, 3/28/2019; Maryland General Assembly, SB 275, 3/31/2022; Cox for Governor, accessed 7/26/2022; Forbes, 10/23/2020.
Wes Moore for Governor, accessed 7/25/2022; Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 3/17/2022; Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022; Baltimore Sun, 4/8/2021; AFL-CIO, 3/11/2021; Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022; Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022.
Cox for Governor, accessed 7/26/2022; Reuters, 8/3/2020.
Baltimore Sun, 4/8/2021; AFL-CIO, 3/11/2021.
Cox for Governor, accessed 7/26/2022; USA Today, 9/7/2020.
Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 2/22/2022; Wes Moore for Governor, accessed 7/25/2022; Maryland Matters, 4/2/2022; Wes Moore for Governor, accessed 7/25/2022; Wes Moore for Governor, accessed 7/25/2022.
Maryland General Assembly, HB 448, 3/17/2020; Maryland General Assembly HB 1355, 2/11/2022.
Wes Moore for Maryland, accessed 7/25/2022; Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 7/1/2022.
Twitter, @DanCoxEsq, 2/19/2022; NPR, 1/18/2022.
Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 4/2/2022; Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 4/14/2022; Twitter, @iamwesmoore, 12/7/2021.
LegiScan, HB 172, 3/18/2022; Cox for Governor, accessed 7/26/2022; The Guardian, 5/12/2022.