The Non‑Endorsements: What Wes Moore Didn’t Say — And Why Everyone’s Freaking Out
If you want to know what’s causing the most anxiety in Annapolis right now, it’s not the endorsements Governor Wes Moore made. It’s the ones he didn’t.
My phone has been buzzing for 48 hours straight — legislators, lobbyists, county operatives, consultants who swear they’re “not involved this cycle,” and a few friends who just like political drama. Everyone’s asking the same thing:
“What does it mean that Moore didn’t endorse X?”
And the truth is: nobody knows. The Governor’s office is locked down tighter than Fort Meade. The only official line is:
“Wait and see. More is coming.”
But the silence is loud. And in Maryland politics, silence is never neutral.
The Big Shockers: The Names Missing From the List
Veronica Turner (District 26)
This one has people pacing. Turner is a veteran, respected, and normally a lock for establishment support. But the chatter is brutal:
- “She worked too hard for Tom Perez in 2022.”
- “She never fully reconciled with the Moore operation.”
- “They want new blood in 26.” but there are those who say that she was ready to retire.
Whether any of that is true is beside the point — it’s what people are saying. And the fact that Moore didn’t endorse his own cousin, Dani Moore King, in the same district has turned this into a full‑blown parlor game. If family isn’t automatic, then nothing is.
Alethia McCaskill (Baltimore County)
People are stunned. McCaskill has strong labor ties and deep ultra left-wing Progressive roots. The rumor mill is split:
- Some say Moore’s team is wary of stepping into the Baltimore County factional wars.
- Others say they’re saving a Baltimore County rollout for later.
- A few insist there’s “a story behind the story,” but nobody seems to know what it is.
Caylin Young (District 45)
This one has Baltimore insiders whispering about an act of violence. District 45 is usually a safe place for establishment alignment. The absence of an endorsement has people wondering whether Moore is cautious or is it about that woman.
What about Robyn Harvey
Either way, the absence is noticed. Baltimore progressives are reading tea leaves. Moderates are reading different tea leaves. Everyone is reading tea leaves.
Montgomery County: The Dog That Didn’t Bark
Two big omissions:
County Executive Race
No endorsement — yet.
Montgomery County insiders are losing their minds trying to interpret this.
- “Is he waiting for polling?”
- “Is he trying not to alienate either faction?”
- “Is he planning a big MoCo rollout?”
- “Is he annoyed at how the county handled the Purple Line mess?”
Nobody knows. But the vacuum is pulling in every theory imaginable.
District 5
Same story. Everyone expects an endorsement. Everyone is waiting. Everyone is nervous.
The Most Talked‑About Omission: Senate President Bill Ferguson
This is the one that has Annapolis buzzing like a hornet’s nest.
Two competing theories:
Theory 1: Redistricting Payback
Some insiders swear the Governor is still salty about Ferguson’s stance during the congressional redistricting fight.
Not revenge — just “not rushing to help.”
Theory 2: Ferguson Might Actually Be Vulnerable
For the first time in a long time, Ferguson has a real race.
Some believe Moore wants to stage a special endorsement event — a big, dramatic, unity‑themed rollout with half the city behind him
The problem?
Nobody knows which theory is right.
And the Governor’s office isn’t saying a word
So What Does It All Mean?
Here’s the mood among the people texting me:
- Lobbyists are nervous because they don’t know which way to bet.
- Legislators are nervous because they don’t know whether they’re next.
- County leaders are nervous because they want to be on the right side of the Governor’s good graces.
- Operatives are nervous because they can’t read the map.
- Candidates are nervous because they’re candidates.
The endorsements Moore did make were broad, strategic, and clearly coordinated.
But the ones he didn’t make?
Those are the ones keeping people up at night.
Because in Maryland politics, an endorsement is a blessing — but a non‑endorsement is a message.
And right now, nobody knows what message the Governor is sending.l
But everyone is watching.
And waiting
And calling me.