[♪♪] >> Jason: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE 2026 MARYLAND GOVERNOR DEBATE.

WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM THE IRENE AND EDWARD H. KAPLAN PRODUCTION STUDIO AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M JASON NEWTON FROM WBAL-TV 11 NEWS.

TONIGHT, WE PRESENT A ONE-HOUR DEBATE FEATURING THE TOP TWO CONTENDERS FOR MARYLAND GOVERNOR.

THIS IS A JOINT PRODUCTION OF MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION AND WBAL-TV 11.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE OF YOU WATCHING ON NBC 4 IN WASHINGTON AND THOSE LISTENING ON WBAL NEWS RADIO IN BALTIMORE.

I'LL BE YOUR MODERATOR AS WE EXPLORE KEY ISSUES ON THE MINDS OF MARYLAND VOTERS.

WE'LL GET TO OUR CANDIDATES IN JUST A MOMENT.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS.

TRACEE WILKINS FROM NBC 4 WASHINGTON.

JEFF SALKIN OF MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AND PAMELA WOOD FROM THE BALTIMORE BANNER.

TONIGHT, EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS FOR AN OPENING STATEMENT AND 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND 30 SECONDS FOR ANY REBUTTALS.

LET'S GET STARTED.

A COIN FLIP DETERMINED WHO GOES FIRST WITH OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS.

DAN COX, YOUR OPENING STATEMENT PLEASE.

FOUR YEARS AGO THERE WAS A SURPLUS IN OUR BUDGET TODAY GOVERNOR MOORE HAS GIVEN US A DEFICIT WHILE HE SCANDALIZES OUR PROPERTY TAXES AND ELECTRIC BILLS.

WE ARE PAYING MORE AND GETTING LESES.

WE ARE BEING TREATED LIKE A LINE OF CREDIT FOR TOLLS AND FEES SOME OF THE HIGHEST ENERGY BILLS IN THE NATION, 38TH WORST IN MATH EDUCATION AND 21ST IN READING.

AND CRIME IS HIGHER THAN EL SALVADOR.

HE SIGNED A LAW PREVENTING PROSECUTE,CHARGING 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS AS ADULTS WHAT ARE YOU GETTING?

AN ABSENTEE GOVERNOR WHO LEFT MARYLAND BEHIND FOR 300 DAYS OF HIS TERM WHILE HE RUNS FOR PRESIDENT.

WHAT IS HE LEAVING US?

A BUDGET THAT THOSE BILLIONSES IN QUESTIONABLE SPENDING.

2 BILLION IN NEW TAXES.

375,000 MARYLANDERS LEFT, SIX FLAGS GONE, COMMANDERS LEAVING AND THE KEY BRIDGE?

STILL AFTER TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS NOT UNDER CONTRACT.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE NEED TO LOWER OUR CAR REGISTRATION FEES CUT TAXES AND CUT THE FEES CONTROL SPENDING AND BRING BACK AFFORDABLE ENERGY AND HOUSING FOR ALL.

INTEREST MARYLAND'S FUTURE CAN BE BRIGHT.

I'M DAN COX A LIFELONG MARYLANDER AND HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO THIS DEBATE.

WHAT YOU ALL MUCH OF WHAT YOU HEARD IS JUST FACTUALLY INCORRECT.

BUT I DO WANT TO LEVEL WITH YOU.

I DO KNOW THE PAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF HAS BEEN HARD.

I DO KNOW THAT WHILE WE HAVE HAD MANY SUCCESSES TOGETHER AS A STATE, THAT WE ARE STILL FIGHTING AGAINST DONALD TRUMP'S ILLEGAL TARIFFS, STILL FIGHTING AGAINST THE ENDLESS FOREIGN WARS, AND STILL FIGHTING AGAINST THE CUTS TO HEALTHCARE.

SO WHILE THIS IS THE AGENDA THAT DAN COX SAYS HE SUPPORTS 100% WHILE THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE WEALTHY ELITES I'M FOCUSED ON WORKING FAMILIES AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CUT TAXES FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

WHY WE'VE ASKED THE WEALTHIEST MARYLANDERS TO PAY MORE SO WE CAN HAVE BETTER SCHOOLS AND SAFER STREETS.

AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT?

THE TEACHER VACANCY RATE IS DOWN 60% AND MATH AND READING SCORES ARE AT A FIVE-YEAR HIGH.

THESE ARE FACTS.

PUBLIC SAFETY: THE YEAR BEFORE I BECAME -9D GOVERNOR BALTIMORE CITY WAS AVERAGING A MURDER A DAY.

SO WE WORKED TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE.

AND NOW, MARYLAND HAS AMONGST THE FASTEST DROPS IN VIOLENT CRIME ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE LAST TIME HOMICIDE RATES WERE THIS LOW I WASN'T BORN YET.

I'M EXCITED TO SPEND THE NIGHT TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE WE WILL FORGE TOGETHER.

>> JEFF SALKIN HAS OUR FIRST QUESTION.

>> GOVERNOR ON THE BUDGET DEFICIT THERE IS A FORECAST OF A $3 BILLION SHORTFALL IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND THE ONE AFTER THAT AND ONE AFTER THAT.

MY QUESTION IS DO YOU SEE THIS AS SOMETHING MANAGEABLE OR ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE SIGNIFICANT CUTS OR TAX INCREASES?

>> TO BE CLEAR, WE INHERITED A BUDGET DEFICIT.

A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT AND COVID MONEY CANNOT COVER THAT.

THE TRUTH IS I'M NOT ALONE.

MARYLAND HAS HAD A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT NOW FOR 20 YEARS.

AND SO THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT MARYLAND WAS WRACKING UP THE CREDIT CARD AND PASSING IT ON IS DOING TWO THINGS.

YOU NEED TO CONTROL YOUR SPENDING AND YOU NEED MORE PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND THAT IS WHAT WE'VE DONE.

WHERE WE'VE NOW CUT THE SIZE OF THE GENERAL FUND, CONTROLLED SPENDING FOR FOUR YEARS IN A ROW THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN A GENERATION INSIDE OF MARYLAND AND ALSO FOR NEW INVESTMENT WE HAVE NOW INVITED THOUSAND OVER $17 BILLION OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO INCLUDE THE ONE, TWO AND THREE THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS WE'VE HAD WITHIN OUR STATE TO INCLUDE ONE WE HAD TODAY WHICH WILL PROVIDE 3100 NEW JOBS.

SO YOU HAVE TO CONTROL YOUR SPENDING, INCREASE PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE.

>> GOVERNOR, THANK YOU.

>> SO YOU SAW THE GOVERNOR NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WILL HE RAISE TAXES.

I CAN LOOK IN THE CAMERA AND I CAN SAY I WILL NOT RAISE TAXES AND FEES AND YOU HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO DO THAT.

WHY IS THAT?

I WILL CUT TAXES AND FEES WE ARE PAYING 7800 MORE EACH FAMILY ANNUALLY TAKE-HOME PAY IS JUST NOT THE SAME COMPARED TO THE STATES AROUND US.

TO BLAME THE FEDERAL ECONOMY, YES THERE'S ISSUES THERE, BUT WE ARE THE SECOND WORST ECONOMY IN THE NATION.

YOU HAVE TO WORK TO DO THAT WITH A WEALTHY STATE THAT WE HAVE.

THE QUESTION IS HOW ARE WE GOING TO SAVE MONEY IN THE BUDGET.

OUR L SAVE AUDITS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DEMONSTRATED A $6.18 BILLION QUESTIONABLE SPENDING AUDITS SHOWING 1.3 BILLION FROM DHS WE ARE LOOKING AT $6 BILLION IMPROPERLY SPENT BY THIS AUDIT.

THAT IS WHERE WE COME UP WITH THE 3 BILLION.

WE DON'T NEED TO RAISE TAXES TO DO THAT.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT?

>> TO BE CLEAR DELEGATE COX, DONALD TRUMP YOUR GOOD FRIEND FIRED OVER 31,000 MARYLANDERS IN A YEAR.

AND THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE LIKE MEN DELL WHO WAS FIRED BY THE PRESIDENT AN AIR FORCE VETERAN WHO NEEDED A $700 LOAN AND SNAP ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE NOT RAISED PROPERTY TAXES.

WE HAVE NOT RAISED SALES TAXES.

WE HAVE GIVEN THE MIDDLE CLASS A TAX CUT AND VETERANS A TAX CUT AND WE CAN BE BOTH FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

BRIEFLY, YES.

GOVERNOR, EVERY STATE AROUND US IS DOING BETTER, VIRGINIA ALSO HAD THE SAME FEDERAL CUTS IT'S SIXTH IN THE NATION ECONOMY AND ONCE AGAIN YOU WON'T LOOK THE CAMERA IN THE EYES AND SAY YOU WILL NOT RAISE TAXES AND FEES.

I'M SAYING THAT YOU WON'T.

>> NEXT QUESTION, PAMELA.

>> THANK YOU.

MY FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE BEGINNING WITH Mr.

COX.

YOU HAVE HAD TIES WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP INCLUDING WINNING HIS ENDORSEMENT LAST TIME YOU RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND GOING TO MAR-A-LAGO TO FUNDRAISE FOR THE CAMPAIGN, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TAKEN ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL SLASHING FEDERAL JOBS AND REFUSING TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AID TO WESTERN MARYLAND AFTER FLOODING.

MY QUESTION IS THAT ARE YOU WILLING IF YOU ARE ELECTED GOVERNOR TO STAND UP TO PRESIDENT TRUMP IF THAT'S WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE NEEDS MARYLANDERS?

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

I AM A MARYLANDER FIRST AND LAST.

AND I AM AN AMERICAN FIRST AND LAST.

I WILL WORK WITH WHOEVER IS THE PRESIDENT AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY OPPONENT.

WE CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER TWO YEARS OF THIS GOVERNOR NOT WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE REASON WHY WE ARE GETTING THIS VIRGINIA CLASS MARINE BASE POTENTIALLY IS BECAUSE BALTIMORE COUNTY WAS WILLING TO WORK WITH THEM.

BUT GOVERNOR MOORE IF YOU WOULD GET THE KEY BRIDGE DONE THERE'S PEOPLE PARTNERS READY TO HELP US DO THAT.

AND MAKING SURE WE ARE A MARYLANDER FIRST THAT IS WHO I AM AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN.

I'VE NEVER BEEN BEHOLDEN TO ANYONE.

>> YOU SAID YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVERSATION AND YOU HAVE SPENT SIGNIFICANT TIME TRAVELING OUT OF STATE ON YOUR OWN PERSONAL POLITICAL ENDEAVORS.

MARYLANDERS MAY QUESTION IF YOU ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR NEEDS OR YOUR OWN.

IF YOU ARE IWO JIMA ELECTED DO YOU COMMIT TO SERVING THE FULL TERM.

>> BEING THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND IS THE JOB OF A LIFETIME.

I WOULD NOT BE RUNNING IF I WAS NOT COMMITTED TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

I'VE VISITED 1100 STOPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND INCLUDING THE FIRST GOVERNOR THAT EVER VISITED MIDLAND THE FIRST GOVERNOR IN 40 YEARS TO VISIT SMITH ISLAND WHERE WE BROUGHT THEM BROADBAND.

THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO VISIT AND I HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT.

REPUBLICAN MAYOR.

AND SO WHEN DAN COX SAYS ABOUT THAT HE'LL WORK WITH THE PRESIDENT OF COURSE HE WILL.

HE STATED PUBLICLY THAT HE IS WITH THE PRESIDENT 100% OF THE TIME.

AND SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT HAS NOW FIRED 31,000 WORKERS WHICH IS TRIPLE THE AMOUNT THAT HAVE BEEN FIRED IN VIRGINIA MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE, I'M CLEAR I WILL WORK WITH ANYONE BUT I WILL BOW TO NO ONE.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE YES OR NO TO MY QUESTION.

DO YOU COMMIT TO SERVING THE FULL FOUR YEAR TERM.

>> I'M COMMITTED TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND AND THAT IS WHY I'M RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

THAT IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS TIME TO MAKE SURE AT THAT TIME THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND WHO WILL BE SUPPORTED AND WHEN I SAID WE ARE GOING TO BE PART OF A NATIONAL CONVERSATION NOT ONLY IS IT BECAUSE I I BELIEVE THE STATE OF MARYLAND DESERVES THAT WE HAVE BEEN THE MOST EFFECTED STATE IN TERMS OF PUSHING BACK AND FORWARD I'M ALSO CLEAR WE ALL NEED TO BE PART OF THIS LARGER CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE CANNOT WATCH OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR FREEDOMS AND THE IMPACTS OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING FROM DONALD TRUMP AND THIS ADMINISTRATION ALLOW TO STAND PAT.

>> I WANT TO BRIEFLY RESPOND IF I MAY SINCE HE MADE THAT ISSUE.

ABSOLUTELY.

THIS GOVERNOR WILL NOT LOOK YOU IN THE EYES AGAIN AND PROMISE TO NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

YOU'RE READY TO RUN AGAINST SHAPIRO AND NEWSOME, BUT PEOPLE IN MARYLAND NEED TO HAVE THEIR CONCERNS FIRST.

YOU HEARD THIS GOVERNOR WILL NOT COMMIT TO SERVING YOU AND YET HE IS ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

THAT IS NOT WORTHY OF A VOTE I'M HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

I WILL BE WORKING FOR YOU AND NO ONE ELSE.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR DAN COX IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MY FUTURE THAN HE IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

SO I'M VERY CLEAR WHERE MY FOCUS IS AND THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND KNOW THIS AS WELL.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TURN TO IMMIGRATION FOR BOTH OF YOU BEGINNING WITH GOVERNOR MOORE.

UNDER MARYLAND'S DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BANNED FROM COLLABORATING WITH I.C.E.

TO CREATE DETENTION CENTERS AS A RESULT SOME IMMIGRANTS INCLUDING DOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE ARRESTED WITHOUT WARRANTS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO FACILITIES THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM FAMILY AND LEGAL COUNSEL.

WAS BANNING I.C.E.

DETENTION A MISTAKE OR IS IT PROTECTING MARYLAND COMMUNITIES.

>> THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND KNOW THERE IS NOTHING THAT I WILL DO TO NOT DO TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

I HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND I'M CLEAR ABOUT THIS TOO.

THE TOQUES STILL HAS TO BE CONSTITUTION STILL HAS TO BE FOLLOWED.

WE HAVE REMARKABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO ARE DOING IMPORTANT WORK AND NATION LEADING WORK WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

I ALSO KNOW WE HAVE AN I.C.E.

AGENCY RIGHT NOW THAT IS HIRING PEOPLE THAT ARE UNTRAINED, UNQUALIFIED AND UNACCOUNTABLE WHERE I.C.E.

'S BUDGET IS NOW 85 BILLION DOLLARS.

AND SO IF YOU ARE GOING AFTER THE WORST OF THE WORST I WILL WORK WITH YOU.

IF YOU ARE GOING FOR PASTOR FUENTES WHO LEADS A CONGREGATION AND I.C.E.

DETAINS HIM, THEN, NO, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO BE DEPUTIZED TO DO THAT TYPE OF WORK.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE WAS DIGNITY NOT DETENTION A MISTAKE?

IF THERE'S GOING TO BE DETENTION SHOULD IT BE HAPPENING IN MARYLAND WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO FAMILY AND ACCESS TO THEIR COUNSEL?

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A REEVALUATION ABOUT THE WAY I.C.E.

IS MOVING IN OUR SOCIETY.

WE HAVE I.C.E.

THAT IS ARRESTING FIVE-YEAR-OLDS.

THAT WE HAVE I.C.E.

AGENTS THAT ARE TRYING TO PATROL COMMUNITIES WITH MASKS ON.

AND BY THE WAY WE'VE BANNED THAT, TOO.

I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A RECONSIDERATION ABOUT THE WAY THAT I.C.E.

IS MOVING INSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITIES ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND I THINK IT IS A IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE CONSTITUTION, CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING THAT IS FOLLOWED.

>> Mr.

COX WHERE DO YOU STAND ON MARYLAND'S DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT WAS IT A MISTAKE?

>> GOVERNOR MOORE WON'T ANSWER THE QUESTION BECAUSE HE IS CAUSING THE I.C.E.

RAIDS IN MARYLAND.

HE CREATED THE DANGER AND MADE IT WORSE.

WHY?

IN MY COUNTY WARM FRONT THE ACT WAS PASSED WE DIDN'T HAVE I.C.E.

RAIDS.

IT WAS AFTER HE PASSED THIS INTO LAW THAT WE HAD OUR FIRST I.C.E.

RAID.

IT'S JUST A SHOCK AND TRAGEDY BECAUSE WHEN YOU ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COOPERATE AND PARTNER LIKE IVAN BAITS DOES AND WORK WITH THE FEDERAL PARTNERS THAT IS MY AUP PROVE.

THE STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP IS CRUCIAL TO KEEPING PEACE AND SAFETY WITHOUT HAVING TO UP THE GAME AS WE'VE SEEN.

THIS IS A SAD DAY IN MARYLAND BECAUSE OF GOVERNOR MOORE'S FAILED LEADERSHIP.

>> I'M CLEAR WE WILL WORK WITH ALL PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DEALING WITH VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

BUT WHEN WE ARE WATCHING TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING USED TO ARREST PARENTS OUT OF PICK UP LINES, WHEN WE'RE WATCHING I.C.E.

AGENTS THAT ARE PATROLLING NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES AND NOT MAKING THE COMMUNITIES SAFER, I DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.

WE WILL WORK WITH ANYBODY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIESES ARE SAFE BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT AND WE'RE FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION AND FOLLOWINGED LAW.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS NOT HAPPENING AND HAS NOT BEEN HAPPENING WELL PRIOR TO THE SIGNING OF THAT BILL.

THE CONSTITUTION GIVES THE SHERIFFS TO WORK IN PARTNER WITH THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES THAT IS LIKE HOW WE ENDED THE KKK IN MARYLAND GOVERNOR, BECAUSE THE SHERIFFS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKED WITH AUTHORITIES AND WORKED FOR YEARS AND THEY GOT THE JOB DONE.

YOU BANNED THAT WITH THE FEDERAL AUTHORITY HERE IN MARYLAND.

>> WEIR GOING TO KEEP MOVING.

>> THIS BEGINS WITH Mr.

COX DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY CHANGES FOR PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP OR FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID?

SUPPORT OR OPPOSE?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY DO OPPOSE I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MARYLAND TO MAKE SURE THOSE BENEFITS ARE KEPT.

LET ME MENTION MEDICAID FIRST.

OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND 865 MILLION DOLLARS ACCORDING TO AN AUDIT HAS BEEN FRAUD LEAPTLY SPENT IN MEDICAID IN MARYLAND.

THAT IS THIS GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ON HIS WATCH.

THAT IS MORE THAN CUTS THAT MEDICAID MIGHT BE LOOKING AT.

THAT COULD SAVE MEDICAID.

AS TO SNAP, THE SAME ISSUES THERE WERE 1858 PEOPLE INCARCERATED RECEIVING SNAP.

AND ONE PERSON WON A $2 MILLION LOTTERY.

WE NEED COMMON SENSE TO MAKE SURE OUR BUDGET IS CARED FOR.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THESE ISSUES UNDER GOVERNOR HOGAN.

WE'RE HAVING THEM NOW BECAUSE OF THE MISMANAGEMENT THAT YOU ARE SEEING.

>> GFER GOVERNOR?

>> GOVERNOR HOGAN CALLED YOU A WHACK JOB AND SAID HE WOULD NEVER SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE HE DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE FIT TO LEAD.

LET'S GET ACCURATE NUMBERS HERE.

THE SNAP ERROR RATE WAS ACTUALLY SECOND HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY WHEN I CAME ON AS GOVERNOR.

AND NOW, DURING OUR TIME, MARYLAND HAS HAD AMONGST THE FASTEST DRAW SINCE SNAP ERROR RATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BUT MAKING SURE YOU ARE FIXING THE SNAP ERROR RATE IS ONE THING.

MAKING SURE YOU ARE ALSO DEALING WITH A FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION WHO IS COMFORTABLE WITH TRYING TO KICK HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OFF OF HEALTHCARE AND SEEMS COMFORTABLE WITH TRYING TO KICK OVER 680,000 KIDS OFF OF FOOD ASSISTANCE.

THE SUPPORT OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, THE SUPPORT OF THIS TRUMP AGENDA THAT YOU SUPPORT 100% THIS IS BRUTAL AND IT IS BRUTALITY.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND THE WELFARE AND THE SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE AND CUTTING SNAP, MEDICAID AND CUTTING HEALTHCARE IS NOT THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

>> 30 SECONDS Mr.

COXISM HE GOT A MINUTE.

I WOULD LIKE A MINUTE.

SO YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS A TRUTH PROBLEM WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT FITNESS TO LEAD.

20 YEARS AND DIDN'T PROPERLY HANDLE HIS EARNING OF HIS BRONZE STAR THAT IS A PROBLEM FOR VETERANS TALKING TO ME AND THAT IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

HERE IS THE BIGGER PROBLEM ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO THE MARYLAND CITIZENS UNDER YOUR WATCH PREMIUMS RAISED 30%.

A FAMILY OF FOUR IS LOOKING AT A HEALTHCARE PREMIUM COVERAGE OF $2100 A MONTH.

IT'S YOUR FAULT GOVERNOR IT'S YOUR FAULT THIS MEDICAID PROGRAM IS $865 MILLION UNDER THE AUDIT OF THIS STATE AND MISSPENT.

>> GOVERNOR, 30 SECONDS TO MOVE ON.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO REBUT WHEN IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

WHEN I GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO FAMILIES, WHO HAVE NOW GOTTEN WORD BECAUSE OF FEDERAL CUTS THAT THEY NOW ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

WHEN I GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO A WOMAN IN THE EASTERN SHORE ABOUT THE FACT SHE IS ON DISABILITY AND NOW BECAUSE OF A SENSE BUILDING FOREIGN WAR SHE CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS TO SEE THE DOCTOR?

THAT IS NOT A BLAME OF A GOVERNOR.

THAT IS DONALD TRUMP AND THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED DESPITE THIS ONSLAUGHT.

>> AND DISABILITIES.

>> EACH CANDIDATE YOU WILL HAVE A MINUTE TO RESPOND AND 30 SECONDS TO REBUT TO EACH OTHER.

>> MY NEXT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL BACKGROUNDS BEGINNING WITH GOVERNOR MOORE.

AT TIMES OTHERS HAVE MISSTATED OR EXAGGERATED YOUR PERSONAL STORY AND ONE-TIME YOU MISSTATED YOUR HISTORY YOURSELF WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR A FELLOWSHIP YOU CLAIMED A RON BRONZE STAR AWARD THAT YOU HAVE NOT EARNED, YET SINCE EARNED.

>> I'M PROUD OF MY MILITARY SERVICE.

WHEN I WAS 17 YEARS OLD I RAISED MY HAND TO SERVE THIS COUNTRY.

WHEN I WAS WORKING IN FINANCE, I GAVE UP MY JOB TO GO SERVE WITH THE 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION IN AFGHANISTAN.

I THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW WHO DOESN'T QUESTION MY MILITARY SERVICE?

OR MY RECORD OR INTEGRITY?

THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

YOU KNOW WHO DOES NOT QUESTION MY MILITARY RECORD OR SERVICE, THE 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION.

I'M DEEPLY PROUD OF MY SERVICE AND FRANKLY WHY PEOPLE ARE SO TIRED ABOUT THESE ATTACKS IN POLITICS.

BECAUSE MY DEFINITION OF PATRIOTISM WAS BEING ABLE AND WILLING TO RAISE MY HAND AND FIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE I LOVE IT THAT MUCH.

AND I WILL NEVER, EVER, ALLOW ANYBODY PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WITH POLITICAL MOTIVATIONS TO BE ABLE TO QUESTION THAT OR GIVE ME A REASON TO TEAL LIKE I SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF IT.

>> AND TO Mr.

COX, WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP THIS EVENING IN 2020 YOU WORKED WITH LAWYERS FOR TRUMP TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION RESULTS.

YOU ADVERTISED BUSES TO WASHINGTON D.C.

ON JANUARY 6, 2021 AND YOU MOSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THEN VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE WAS A TRAITOR.

DO YOU STAND BY THOSE ELECTION DENYING ACTIONS AND DO YOU HAVE REGRETS ABOUT THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I REGRET TWEETING.

THAT WAS SIX YEARS AGO.

REALLY THIS IS POLITICAL TMZ BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND WANT TO HEAR ON THIS ONE DEBATE I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ANOTHER DEBATE MORGAN STATE OR COPPEN STATE IS HAVING A FORUM ON THE 22nd.

I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES OF THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

AND ABSOLUTELY HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND IN MY HEART AND MIND.

I HAVE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE REDUCE CRIME, REDUCE TAXES AND OUR BUDGET I WAS ACTUALLY SUPPORTING EVERY SINGLE VETO THAT GOVERNOR HOGAN PUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR I WAS THERE TO SUPPORT THAT TO MAKE SURE WE HELD THE LINE AGAINST TAXES AND FEES FOR MARYLANDERS.

GOVERNOR, YOU SAID THAT BY THE WAY I DO RESPECT YOUR SERVICE I THANK YOU FOR IT, BUT RELEASE YOUR RECORDS IF YOU ARE SAYING THE MOST TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATIONS THAT IS AN EASY THING TO DO.

>> GOVERNOR 30 SECONDS.

>> MY DEFINITION OF PATRIOTISM IS WHEN I PUT ON THE UNIFORM OF THIS COUNTRY AND I SERVED OVERSEAS.

Mr.

COX'S DEFINITION IS PUTTING ON THE RED CAP.

>> OH, PLEASE.

>> AND BUS PEOPLE DOWN TO THE CAPITOL IT IS NOT OH, PLEASE.

WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO EXPRESS MY PATRIOTISM I USE TO DO TO PROTECT US.

WHEN YOU HAD A CHANCE TO EXPRESS YOUR PATRIOTISM YOU TRY TO DESTROY US.

>> THAT IS A LIE AND FALSITY THAT COMES OUT OF THIS GOVERNOR'S MOUTH.

I HAVE BEEN A STRONG AND LOYAL MARYLANDER AND AMERICAN FIRST GUY I HAVE ALWAYS SERVED BY COUNTRY.

I NEVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING IN THE MILITARY ONE OF MY REGRETS BECAUSE BOTH OF MY GRANDFATHERS SERVED.

ONE AFTER WORLD WAR II AND ONE FLEW SOME OF THE FLYING TIGER PLANES AND ONE THING, I'M PROUD OF THAT.

I'M PROUD OF THIS COUNTRY.

I LOVE IT AND HERE TO FOCUS ON MARYLAND NOT THE POLITICAL TMZ THINGS LET'S GET REAL QUESTIONS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS DARES AND THIS IS FOR BOTH OF YOU.

DATA CENTERS.

YOU INITIALLY EMBRACED DATA CENTERS Mr.

COX YOU SUPPORTED A TAX EXEMPTION AND Mr.

MOORE YOU SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REIN IN NEW DATA CENTERS AND GUIDELINES WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENERGY THEY ARE USING BUT BOTH OF YOU HAVE SHIFTED POSITIONS.

Mr.

COX YOU ARE CALLING FOR A FULL BAN.

WHY THE PIVOT AND CAN MARYLANDERS DEPEND ON WHERE YOU STAND ON THIS NOW.

>> WELL THE DATA CENTERS OF SEVEN YEARS AGO ARE NOT THOSE OF TODAY.

THIS GOVERNOR SUPER CHARGED A DATA CENTER THAT IS 20 SUPER WALMART SIZE THAT IS MASSIVE AND HE TOOK A 24,000 DONATION FROM THE DATA CENTER, THE LOBBYIST PERRY JACOBSON, HE FAST TRACKED A PERMIT WHICH I HAVE IN MY NOTES AND THE GAVE THE POWER PLANT OVER TO FAST TRACKING THAT TO THE DATA CENTER.

THAT IS NOT A DATA CENTER PRODUCING ITS OWN POWER.

WE HAVE A POWER GRID PROBLEM AND BROWNOUTS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN.

AND INSTEAD THIS GOVERNOR IS FOCUSED ON HIS POLITICAL CONNECTIONS AND ON WHAT BRINGS IN THE MOST SUPPORT FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

YOU KNOW, I WILL DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I'VE CALLED FOR A MORATORIUM.

GOVERNOR MOORE REFUSIONED TO DO SO.

I WILL MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND ARE PROTECTED IN THEIR WATER, LAND AND IN THE FUTURE.

I PLEDGE THAT TO THE MARYLAND PEOPLE.

>> GOVERNOR, WHY THE PIVOT AND CAN MARYLANDERS DEPEND WHERE YOU ARE?

>> Mr.

COX, THE REASON I INVITED YOU TO DEBATE IS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION NOT TO WATCH YOU LIE TO THEM FOR AN HOUR.

LET ME EXPLAIN ABOUT MY PROGRESSION ON DATA CENTERS IT IS A TWO-FOLD.

ONE, I LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

AND WE DO KNOW AND I AGREE WE ARE WATCHING DATA CENTERS THAT ARE HAVING A GREATER DRAW BUT THAT IS HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE WE HAVE DONALD TRUMP WHO REMOVED ALL GUARDRAILS BECAUSE HE HAS CALLED THIS GROWTH OF DATA CENTERS ESSENTIAL TO BEATING CHINA AND A.I.

A HOAX.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE STEP IN AND I SIGNED THE MOST SING SCOREDSTH THE -- EXECUTIVE ORDERS SAYING THEY NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN ENERGY AND POWER AND NOT POLLUTING OUR AIR OR WATER, NEED TO HIRE LOCAL UNION WORKERS.

SO I DESPITE THE FACT THAT DAN COX TRIED TO USHER THEM IN WITH TAX INCENTIVES I HAVE SAID IF LOCAL JURISDICTIONS SAY NO THAT IS THE FINAL ANSWER.

DATA CENTERS DO NOT GET TO WRITE THE RULES.

>> POLITICAL THEATER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOT PUT A MORATORIUM A MAJORITY OF COUNTIES HAVE DONE SO IT GIVES REVIEW THROUGH A TASK FORCE OF THESE MAJOR MEGA DATA CENTERS THAT THE GOVERNOR SAID IN FRONT OF CAMERAS HE WANTS TO SUPER CHARGE.

THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR MARYLAND.

I WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH MARYLAND.

THIS GOVERNOR WANTS TO PAVE OVER YOUR FARMLANDS WITH DATA CENTERS AND PUT SOLAR PANELS ON OUR EASTERN SHORE FARM FIELDS AND WANTS TO TAKE UP OUR ATLANTIC PORT TO THE OCEAN WITH A FOREIGN WIND PROJECT I'M SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND I WILL DEFEND THE STATE.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

>> Mr.

MOORE FOR MOTORISTS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT THE TUNNELS BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY BRIDGE FOR PEOPLE IN THE WASHINGTON SUBURBS WAITING FOR THE PURPLE LINE TO BE COMPLETED, FOR PEOPLE IN BALTIMORE WAITING TO SEE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A RED LINE, CAN YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE CONFIDENT IN THE ABILITY OF OUR STATE TO GET BIG PROJECTS DONE ON TIME, ON BUDGET?

>> I AFTER SEEING THIS PROJECT UP CLOSE, THIS WILL BE OPEN IN RECORD TIME.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE KEY BRIDGE.

THOSE WERE NOT MY WORDS.

THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN STEVE FROM ARKANSAS AFTER GETTING A CHANCE TO SEE IT UP CLOSE.

AND SAYING THAT BEING ABLE TO OFF-RAMP WAS THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME FOR THE PUBLIC AN IMPORTANT COST SAVING MEASURE.

THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY THE U.S.

SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION.

I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT ONE OF MARYLAND'S MOST REMARKABLE TRAGEDIES HAPPENED DEADLY TRAGEDIES, THAT WE BRING CLOSURE AND COMFORT TO THE FAMILIES WORKERS CARED FOR AND REOPEN THE CHANNEL IN RECORD TIME AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A TWO MILE BRIDGE TAKING 10 YEARS TO BUILD THE INITIAL BRIDGE WE WILL HAVE IT DONE IN THE FRACTION OF THE TIME.

IT'S BEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS DONE AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE DISTRACTED BY MAGA TALKING POINTS OR POLITICAL ATTACKS.

>> THIS IS MARYLAND TALKING POINTS.

I'VE BEEN OUT AND I DON'T SEE YOU HAVE SPENT MUCH TIME BUT THE PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEIR DOCTORS, THEIR LIVES SOME HAVE HAD TO MOVE ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ALSO VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND ARE UPSET TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS THERE'S NO BRIDGE AND NOT EVEN A CONTRACT.

I GOT A TEXT LAST NIGHT FROM SOMEBODY WHO GOT A REACH OUT FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION ASKING FORBIDS ON CLEAN UP.

THERE IS NOT A DEMOLITION YET YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT'S DONE.

PEOPLE CAN'T DRIVE ON A WEBSITE THEY NEED A BRIDGE AND I'LL BUILD IT.

GOVERNOR HOGAN BUILD THE HARRY NICE BRIDGE IN UNDER TWO YEARS, AND UNDER BUDGET THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE TIME.

NOW, THE HARRY NICE BRIDGE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT GOES OVER A MAJOR FEDERAL WATERWAY AND IS 1.7 MILE BUT IT HAS A DEEPER CHANNEL IT'S 82 FEET AND THIS BRIDGE KEY BRIDGE IS 50 FEET THERE IS NO EXCUSES BUT I'M WILLED WHOING HERE IN MY HAND, THE TURTLE VIBRATIONS PERMIT 69 PAGES.

THAT IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE.

>> WE WILL KEEP MOVING.

30 SECONDS FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> I THOUGHT I HAD MORE TIME ON THE CLOCK.

>> SORRY.

>> THAT'S FINE.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THE INITIAL KEY BRIDGE TOOK A DECADE TO BUILD WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THE CLOSEST COMP IS THE GORDIE HOE BRIDGE WHICH TOOK 24 YEARS TO BUILD THE FACT WE WILL HAVE THIS DONE IN RECORD TIME IN BOTH THE RESPONSE AND THE REBUILD IS NOT JUST IMPORTANT IT'S NOTABLE AND IT'S NOTABILITY FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND ANYBODY WHO IS SERIOUS.

I UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY AND WE ARE MOVING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE TO GET THE BRIDGE DONE.

WHILE THIS BRIDGE FELL DURING OUR TIME, WAS CLASSIC OF OUR TIME I'M INTENT TO CUT THE RIBBON AND GET IT REOPENED IN RECORD TIME.

>> IF I CAN DO THE 30.

YOU KNOW, THIS GOVERNOR HAS BEEN OUT OF OUR STATE FOR ALMOST A YEAR OF HIS ENTIRE TERM AND I'VE TALKED TO THE CONTRACTORS.

THE FIRST CONTRACTOR I ASKED SOME OF THEIR PEOPLE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A TURTLE VIBRATIONS PERMIT IT WAS 12 HOURS ON AND 12 HOURS OFF AND IF THEY SEE A TURTLE THEY HAVE TO E-MAIL THE GOVERNMENT.

I WILL BUILD THE BRIDGE WITH 24/7 AROUND THE CLOCK.

I LOVE TURTLES BUT I LOVE DULL DAHLK MORE.

THE GOVERNOR OUT OF OUR STATE AND THE NEW CONTRACTORS ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOT ANYWAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET THIS DONE BY 2030.

>> MARYLAND POLICYMAKERS HAVE WRESTLED WITH THE ISSUE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IN RECENT YEARS.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTING SERIOUS CRIMES WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SERVES THEM AND THE COMMUNITY BEST IN TERMS OF BOTH CONSEQUENCES AND REHABILITATION THIS GOES TO Mr.

COX.

>> CAN YOU RESTATE THE QUESTION.

>> ON JUVENILE JUSTICE WHAT SERVES THE COMMUNITY BEST IN TERMS OF CONSEQUENCES AND REHABILITATION.

>> WHEN YOU HOLD JUVENILES ACCOUNTABLE I SHOWED UP AT THE BALTIMORE 7-ELEVEN WHERE THE GENTLEMAN WAS JUMPED AND ALMOST BEATEN TO DEATH.

I TALKED WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEY WANT ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY ALSO NEED TO HAVE WRECK AND TECH.

REC CENTERS BUILT.

WE SEE 800 MILLION WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THIS GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OVER TO A POTENTIAL REC CENTER I'M UNDERSTANDING THERE IS NOW A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO REC CENTER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TECH OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH AND BUILD AND EXPAND ACTIVITIES I'M CALLING FOR A DIRT BIKE COMPETITION IN THE VACANT LOTS THAT WILL HELP GET THE DIRT BIKES OFF THE ROAD AND WHEN WE EXPAND CHUF AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM ALSO HELP.

THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME POLICY HAS DONE NOTHING FOR THE 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WAS SHOT TO DEATH.

OR THE 52-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF FIVE LAST MONTH.

THAT IS A PROBLEM OF THIS GOVERNOR.

HE SIGNED THE YOUTH CHARGE REFORM ACT EVERY STATE'S ATTORNEY OPPOSED IT INCLUDING IVAN BATES AND THIS GOVERNOR SIGN TO DO ANYWAY.

>> THERE IS NOTHING THAT I TAKE MORE SERIOUSLY THAN PUBLIC SAFETY AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN FEEL SAFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

I TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND KNOW THAT.

WE MADE THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS IN LOCAL LAW FORMAL IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY AND WE ARE HAVING THE FASTEST DROPS IN VIOLENT CRIME IN AMERICA I KNOW THERE'S WORK TO DO BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE LIKE CRYSTAL GONZALES WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN A JULY 4TH PARTY.

AND I PROMISED CRYSTAL THAT I WOULD NOT REST UNTIL NO PARENT HAS TO FEEL THE PAIN THAT SHE IS FEELING.

AND SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE WILL NOT DO TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY COMES TO VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON REHABILITATION I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS.

I HAD HANDCUFFS ON MY WRISTS BY THE TIME I WAS 11 YEARS OLD AND FOR KIDS LIKE ME MAKING SURE WE CAN CREATE PATHWAYS TO IMAGINE THEMSELVES IN SPACES BIGGER THAN WHERE THEY ARE NOW IT HAS TO BE ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

TRACEE?

>> I'M SPEAKING FOR JOSH, SPEAKING FOR DARREN, SPEAKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF BALTIMORE CITY AND SPEAKING FOR EVERY SINGLE MARYLANDER WHEN I SAY YOU ARE COOKING THE BOOKS ON CRIME.

WHEN YOU SIGN THAT EVERY PROSECUTOR OPPOSE IT IS WILL ALLOW FIRST DEGREE OFFENDERS.

INCLUDING USE OF ILLEGAL MACHINE GUNS BY A MINOR.

THE FACT IS THE GOVERNOR DEFIED EVERY PROSECUTOR IN THE STATE AND MAKING EVERYONE LESS SAFE AND HERE WE ARE, YES, AND I APPLAUD IVAN BATES AND OTHERS FOR REDUCING KREIN BUT WE ARE STILL FOUR TIMES HIGHER IN OUR HOMICIDE RATE THAN EL SALVADOR.

>> COOKING THE BOOKS ON CRIME.

>> WE ARE NOT COOKING THE BOOKS AND DOING TURTLE VIBRATIONS.

THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT FRANKLY THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN POLITICS.

THIS IS THE PROBLEM PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE MAGA AGENDA.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU AND YOUR BOTH CLOSE FRIENDS SEEM TO HAVE A VERY, VERY CONSPICUOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRUTH AND WITH REALITY.

AND DAN, YOU HAVE MADE A HABIT OF DENYING RESULTS.

ELECTION RESULTS AND OTHERWISE.

DO NOT DENY THE RESULTS WE'VE HAD WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN MARYLAND.

>> THIS GOVERNOR STANDS WITH THE PRESIDENT ON DATA CENTERS I DO NOT.

I WILL STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND INSTEAD.

>> WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS BEGINNING WITH Mr.

MOORE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SUING THE WHITE HOUSE FOR OVERTURNING CONGRESS' DECISION TO LOCATE THE F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS IN GREENBELT.

GIVEN THE DROP IN FEDERAL JOBS, IS THIS A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> WE SHOULD BECAUSE WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID IS ILLEGAL.

HE DOES NOT WANT THE F.B.I.

BUILDING GOING TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND BECAUSE WE ARE A LIBERAL STATE THAT IS ILLEGAL.

THE STATE OF MARYLAND WON THAT IN A PROCESS THAT WAS A DECADE-LONG PROCESS.

IT IS A BIGGER THAN THE F.B.I.

BUILDING IT'S ABOUT THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO TAKE A SLEDGEHAMMER TO ALL OF OUR FEDERAL AGENCIES.

HE FIRED MORE MILITARY VETERANS THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN GENERATIONS IT IS THE REASON WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GROWING AN ECONOMY AND DIVERSIFYING OFF OF WASHINGTON D.C.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR THE F.B.I.

BUILDING AND ALSO THE TIMES WE HAVE BEEN GOING OUT AND BUILDING BUSINESSES AND BRINGING BUSINESSES, DAN, DO YOU KNOW HOW SAMSUNG CHOSE MARYLAND TO HAVE THE FIRST MANUFACTURING FACILITY?

HOW ANVIL CHOSE MARYLAND TO BRING 30,000 JOBS.

ASTRAZENECA MADE THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IT'S BECAUSE MY JOB IS TO GO OUT THERE AND BRING THESE BUSINESSES TO MARYLAND AND I'M NOT GOING TO STOP.

WE HAVE 17 BILLION DOLLARS OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN MARYLAND JUST DURING OUR TERM.

>> Mr.

COX GIVEN YOUR PAST -- >> IF I COULD RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> GIVEN YOUR PAST CRITICISM OF THE F.B.I.

AND ITS INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP DO YOU SUPPORT BRINGING THE HEADQUARTERS TO PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AND DO YOU BELIEVE THE LAWSUIT IS A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS?

>> I WILL NOT COMMENT ON I ALAWSUIT BUT I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE MORE INDUSTRY AND MORE JOB IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR MARYLAND.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE UNDER THIS GOVERNOR AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN OUT OF STATE FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOT ONLY AND I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THIS IT IS A BROADER PROBLEM.

NOT ONLY HAS THE F.B.I.

BEEN LOST BUT WE'VE LOST SIX FLAGS, GUINESS, SMALL BUSINESSES OUR ELECTRIC PLANTS HAVE BEEN CLOSED.

THE COMMANDERS ARE LEAVING.

TWO BILLION IN TAXES IS CHASING OUR MARYLAND CITIZENS OUT OF THIS STATE AND THAT IS URN CONSCIENCABLE.

WE HAVE HAD 40,000 TAX LIEN SALES THIS YEAR WHILE THIS GOVERNOR WAS IN VEGAS, MICHIGAN AND SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND ARE CRYING FOR SOMEBODY TO BE PRESENT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REPRESENTED AND I INTEND TO DO THAT.

>> TO BE CLEAR YOU SUPPORT THE F.B.I.

COMING TO GREENBELT.

>> YES.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD SOME FACTS TO WHAT YOU JUST HEARD.

DURING OUR TIME IN OFFICE, THERE HAVE BEEN 64,000 NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE STARTED OR COME TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND THAT INCLUDES LARGE BUSINESSES LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT BUT ALSO BUSINESSES LIKE SHARON WHO IS OPENING UP A BED AND BREAKFAST AND OPENED A THIRD ONE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY AND ONE IN BALTIMORE CITY.

THE JOB GROWTH IN MARYLAND IS NOW ALMOST DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

AND THAT THE POPULATION GROWTH IN MARYLAND HAS NOW IS THE HIGHEST AND THE FASTEST POPULATION GROWTH WE HAVE SEEN IN OVER A DECADE.

THESE ARE THE FACTS.

>> IF I COULD BRIEFLY.

THE REASON THAT WE'RE SEEING OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR CITIZENS FLEE, GOVERNOR, IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT HANDLED THE STATE WELL.

AND YOU HAVE RAISED $2 BILLION IN TAXES ON THE BACKS OF MARYLAND TO PAY FOR IT AND THE END RESULT WE ARE STILL IN THE HOLE AT $3 BILLION.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST ELECTRIC BILLS IN THE NATION SHUTTING DOWN THAT IS WHY WE'VE HAD RESTAURANTS AND GROCERY STORES CLOSE.

INSTEAD OF MAKING SURE THAT CHANGES BY OPENING NEW POWER OPTIONS YOU ARE TRYING TO CLOSE DOWN BRANDON SHORES AND WE SEE $72,000 IN DONATIONS TO YOUR CAMPAIGN FROM BG AND E, AND THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND I WILL MAKE SURE WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND WELL.

>> Mr.

COX, THE NEW STATE REPARATIONS COMMISSION IS STARTING WORK FOR YOU, WHAT WOULD BE ON THE TABLE OR OFF THE TABLE IN TERMS OF COMPENSATING FAMILIES MAKING WHOLE FAMILIES WHO ARE STILL SUFFERING THE EFFECTS OF SLAVERY AND STATE SANCTIONED DISCRIMINATION.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS A WAY FORWARD FOR MARYLAND TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS EGREGIOUS.

I THINK WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHO TO PAY, I'VE JOKED ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I ASK DO I PAY MY WIFE?

OR MY CHILDREN?

MY WIFE DESCENDS FROM AN AFRICAN SLAVE.

I THINK WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOW THAT IS DONE.

DO I HAVE EMPATHY AND DO I WISH TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE MADE RIGHT?

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT CAN BE DONE TODAY AND IT HAS BEEN DONE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO OPEN A LOOK INTO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE GONE IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY THAT HAVEN'T BEEN RECTIFIED.

THE CROWNSVILLE ISSUE.

ULTIMATELY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND ARE PROTECTED AND NOT CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH.

>> Mr.

GOVERNOR?

>> Mr.

COX WISHES WE COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

IN OUR ADMINISTRATION WE DON'T WISH.

WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTIONS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THE FACT THAT DURING OUR ADMINISTRATION WE HAVE NOW INVESTED OVER $1.3 BILLION IN OUR STATE'S HBCUS, THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS IN OUR HBCU'S IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

WE HAVE DONE PROCUREMENT REFORM AND NOW ALLOCATED $4.3 BILLION GOING TO OUR STATES MBE'S AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES, MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, I SIGNED THE LARGEST MASS PARDON IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHERE I PARDONED 175,000 MISDEMEANOR CANNABIS.

THIS IS THE WORK OF REPAIR THAT IS TAKING PLACE.

WE ARE NOT WISHING WE ARE NOT HOPING WE ARE FOCUSING ON ACTIONABLE RESULTS THAT IS BRINGING THE REPAIR IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> I HAVE NOT SAID WISH THERE'S PRACTICAL ISSUES AND I WARNED EVERYONE IN THE LAST DEBATE FOUR YEARS AGO YOU WOULD PURSUE THIS WILD APPROACH.

THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.

GOVERNOR YOU MENTIONED HBCUS, I CHALLENGE YOU LET'S TALK ABOUT IT AT THE HBCUS LET'S GO TO MORGAN STATE THERE IS A FORUM OCTOBER 22 AT COPPEN STATE.

WILL YOU AGREE TO GO AND HAVE A BETTER DISCUSSION AT THE HBCUS?

>> GOVERNOR?

>> I'M READY FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

GENTLEMEN I WOULD LIKE YOU TO THINK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ MARYLANDERS STARTING WITH GOVERNOR MOORE LAST YEAR YOU WERE CALLED OUT BY THE THEN CHAIR OF THE STATE'S LUG LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR FAILING TO SUPPORT MARYLANDERS WHO ARE TRANS GENDER THROUGH LEGISLATION AND THE BUDGET.

WHAT PROPOSALS DO YOU HAVE GOING FORWARD TO ENSURE SAFETY AND INCLUSION FOR TRANS MARYLANDERS?

>> I'M THANKFUL FOR THE FACT THAT THE LGBTQ IA PLUS COMMUNITY KNOW THEY HAVE A FRIEND IN ME.

WE WERE THE FIRST STATE TO BE ABLE TO FIRST TIME IN MARYLAND HISTORY TO RECOGNIZE A TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY.

TO BE ABLE TO DECRIMINALIZATION HIV.

TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN SKIN AND I STAND BY THAT AND I ALWAYS WILL.

BECAUSE THE TYPE OF POLICIES THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE FEDERAL SIDE, THE TYPE OF POLICIES THAT DAN COX SUPPORTED, TO GO DEMEAN MARYLANDERS BY WHO THEY LOVE, BY HOW GOD MADE THEM THAT THEY WILL NEVER GET THAT FROM ME AS THE GOVERNOR.

AND SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE POLICIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUSH FORWARD.

IT'S ALSO RECOGNIZING THAT FOR ALL OF OUR MARYLANDERS FOR MARYLANDERS LIKE RONNY, RONNY KNOWS, I SEE RONNY.

AND I WILL ALWAYS LIFT RONNY UP BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE TO FOLLOW-UP DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT TRANS MARYLANDERS SUCH AS THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE MODERNIZATION ACT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLL ISYS AND MAKING SURE THEY CANNOT BE DISCRIMINATED WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYMENT WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY ON.

THAT WE ARE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AS THEY ARE MARRYING OTHER COUPLES AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE RESPECTED INSIDE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND PROTECTED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE PROGRESSIVE RECORD WE HAVE HAD AND WE ARE UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT IT.

>> TO Mr.

COX FOUR YEARS AGO WE WERE ON THE SAME STAGE AND I ASKED YOU HOW MARYLAND SCHOOLS ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND YOU EXPRESSED FEARS OF QUOTE TRANS GENDER INDOCK NATION IN KINDERGARTEN.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT STILL CONCERNS YOU AND WHY?

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT IS MARYLAND IT'S REALLY AN IMPROPER QUESTION THAT IN A SENSE YOU'VE ANSWERED IT.

MARYLAND HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST PROTECTIONS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE UNION.

21 YEAR CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY I HAVE REPRESENTED ALL PROTECTED CLASSES AND I FIRMLY SUPPORT CIVIL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE.

I THINK THE ISSUE YOU ARE GETTING INTO IS MORE NUANCED.

DO WE HAVE HOW DO WE PROTECT GIRLS IN BATHROOMS ET CETERA.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND EVERY PERSON IN MARYLAND HAS TO OPEN THEIR ELECTRIC BILL THAT IS WHAT THIS GOVERNOR IS HURTING YOU WITH.

EVERY PERSON HAS TO PAY THEIR TAXES THEY ARE RECEIVING A 20% TAX INCREASE LAST YEAR AND NOW 1% ON THE FAMILY TAX ON TOP OF THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER 2% SALES TAX AND INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES THIS IS HURTING EVERY COMMUNITY.

I WILL STAND UP FOR EVERY COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST THE WALLET YOU ARE PROTECTED.

>> I PREFER THAT YOU ANSWER HER QUESTION.

>> Mr.

COX I ASKED ABOUT STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS ARE SCHOOLS SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOLS?

>> I THINK I ANSWERED IT I SAID THIS STATE OUR STATE AS A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST PROTECTIONS OF ANY STATE IN THE NATION FOR STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS AND ARE THERE WAYS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PROTECTED AND NOT BULLIED?

ABSOLUTELY.

I SUPPORT PROTECTING KIDS.

I HAVE DONE THAT AS A FATHER WITH 10 KIDS MYSELF MY WIFE AND I LOVE OUR CHILDREN AND WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF MARYLAND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER AND I WILL SERVE YOU AS GOVERNOR TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

>> I WOULD REMIND PEOPLE THAT Mr.

COX APPLAUDED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DECISIONS TO BAN BOOKS AND BAN OUR HISTORY.

AND TELLING US WHO WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I SIGNED LEGISLATION IN MARYLAND BANNING THE BANNING OF BOOKS.

THAT YOU WILL NOT BAN BOOKS INSIDE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR TRY TO MINIMIZE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY PERSON TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES IN THE FABRIC OF THIS STATE AND TO SEE THEMSELVES AS A VALUABLE MEMBER AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTOR TO WHAT THE STATE'S PROMISE IS.

>> Mr.

COX?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

I NEVER APPLAUDED THAT AND ABSOLUTELY AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

I HAVE LITIGATED THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND I SUPPORT THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOES IT MEAN A GARTER SHOULD BE OWE KINDERGARTENER PORNOGRAPHY.

>> NO, THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND ME.

WE NEED TO HAVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AS YOUR GOVERNOR I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

>> SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO FEDERAL JOB LOSS WE MENTIONED IN THE DEBATE.

MARYLAND HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF FEDERAL JOB LOSS IN THE NATION SECOND ONLY TO CALIFORNIA.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HISTORIC ENGINE IS FACING FOOD INSECURITY, AND DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO COUNTER THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN?

AND PROTECT PUBLIC SECTOR LIVELIHOODS?

>> EXCELLENT QUESTION.

YES, I DO.

UNFORTUNATELY THIS GOVERNOR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND NOT PRESENT IN THE STATE.

INSTEAD HE LIKES TO BLAME AND USE THE ISSUE FOR HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

PENNSYLVANIA IS DOING BETTER.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO RUN AGAINST SHAPIRO, BUT PENNSYLVANIA IS DOING BETTER.

VIRGINIA, DELAWARE, WEST VIRGINIA.

ANDY BESHEAR CUT TAXES TO MAKE SURE PRIVATE INDUSTRIES INCREASED.

YOU RAISED TAXES $2 BILLION.

IT'S CHASING PEOPLE OUT OF OUR STATE.

WHEN THEY NEED A FALL-BACK THEY NEED AN OPPORTUNITY IF THEY ARE FEDERAL OR STATE JOB IS NO LONGER THERE AND STATE JOBS YOU ARE LOOKING AT CUTTING BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A SAFETY NET OF PRIVATE JOBS.

MY PLAN IS SPECIFIC THAT I WILL PUT PEOPLE THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND FIRST.

LOOK INTO A GRADUATED REDUCTION OF OUR TAXES BOLT INCOME AND OUR CORPORATE TAXES AND MAKE SURE THAT ATTRACTS EVERYONE BACK TO MARYLAND.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE FEDERAL JOB LOSSES WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN BE FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE OUT OF WORK MORE THAN 30,000?

>> IMMEDIATELY, THEY NEED TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS ARE BIPARTISAN ISSUES.

BUT IMMEDIATELY AS WELL WE HAVE TO LOWER THE TAX BRACKETS.

IF WE DON'T, PENNSYLVANIA RIGHT NOW IS ON TRACK FOR A 4.9% CORPORATE TAX RATE.

THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE.

AND THEY ARE RIGHT ACROSS THE LINE.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE HAVING BALLOONING BUDGETS IT WILL BE A TRAIN WRECK BUILDING IN WE ADDRESS THIS AND BRING PEOPLE BACK TO MARYLAND.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE IS YOUR PLAN TO RETRAIN FEDERAL WORKERS AND HOW LONG CAN MARYLAND AFFORD STATE LOANS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MARYLANDERS WHO ARE OUT OF FEDERAL JOBS?

>> THIS IS WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE TO OUR WORKERS HAS BEEN BRUTAL.

I THINK ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE MONIQUE WHO IS WORKING AT THE NIH.

AND WAS A PUBLIC SERVANT HER FOCUS WAS TO CURE CANCER AND WAS FIRED.

AND SO THE THING THAT THE ACTIONABLE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING INSIDE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS THINGS LIKE OUR FEDS TO EDS INITIATIVE WE HAVE A TEACHER VACANCY RATE AND LET'S GET THEM TRAINED AND INTO CLASSROOMS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WE HAVE SEEN THE VACANCY RATE DROP BY 50%.

SOME HAVE BEEN FEDERAL WORKERS.

WORKING WITH OUR PRIVATE SECTOR TO EMPLOY THEM AND THE REASON THAT MARYLAND OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS HAS HAD A JOB GROWTH RATE DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT THE SPHERE TO PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AND BUILD OUT A FUTURE ECONOMY IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AND AS STRA SENECA AND HOW IT'S BUILDING IN FREDERICK AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES.

>> GOVERNOR THANK YOU.

JEFF SALKIN?

>> I THINK WE'RE SHORT ON TIME.

>> LET'S GO AHEAD WITH ONE MORE QUESTION.

>> THIS STARTS WITH THE GOVERNOR.

QUESTION 3 WHICH IS THE BALLOT QUESTION THAT WOULD AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE IT EASIER OR REMOVE LIMITS ON THE ABILITY OF LAWMAKERS TO REDRAW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS VOTING YES OR NO?

>> YOU I NEED YOU TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.

30 SECONDS.

>> I'M VOTING YES THE POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE NOT DONALD TRUMP.

THAT WAS THE POINT OF QUESTION 3 WHEN WE SAW THE PRESIDENT TRYING TO LIMIT MAIL-IN BATTLING.

FEDERAL AGENTS AROUND BALLOT BOXES AND WE ARE WATCHING A ROBBERY OF DEMOCRACY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW DONALD TRUMP TO DETERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND SHOULD DETERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY.

I WILL BE VOTING YES I URGE EVERY MARYLANDER TO VOTE YES THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO STOP THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOVER.

>> Mr.

COX?

>> THERE IS NO VOTE YES IF YOU READ IT.

IS THERE A COMPLETE SENTENCE IN THIS INITIATIVE?

NO THERE'S NOT.

"THE WASHINGTON POST" WRET WES MOORE EMBARRASSES MARYLAND WITH THE GERRYMANDERING PLOY AND THE POST PUBLISHED THIS QUESTION 3 MEANS THAT CUMBERLAND AND WESTERN MARYLAND SEPARATED BY THE CHESAPEAKE BAY THE WIDTH OF THE STATE COULD END UP BY REPRESENTED BY THE SAME MEMBER OF CONGRESS THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR SO-CALLED CONCERNS ABOUT FEDERAL ISSUES.

IN FACT IF IT'S WRONG FOR THEM, I AGREE IT'S WRONG FOR MARYLAND AND WRONG FOR YOU, SIR.

>> CLOSING STATEMENTS.

ONE MINUTE, PLEASE.

>> IMAGINE A MARYLAND WHERE WE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE.

WHERE OUR CHILDREN CAN AFFORD TO BUY HOMES, WHERE RETIREES CAN AFFORD TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WHERE OUR STREETS ARE SAFE AND WHERE WE'RE DRIVING OVER A BUILT KEY BRIDGE WHERE WE CAN AFFORD OUR CAR REGISTRATION AND PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO IMAGINE IT.

NOVEMBER 3, WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE IT REALITY.

MARYLANDERS ARE PAYING MORE AND GETTING LESS.

BUT BEHIND EVERY BUDGET, IS A MARYLANDER WHO IS TRYING TO PAY THE BILLS OR HOLD THEIR FAMILY TOGETHER BUT THEY ARE FEELING LEFT BEHIND.

I WILL PROTECT THE VULNERABLE, CUT TAXES AND FEES, PROTECT OUR CITIES FARMS, COMMUNITIES AND PORTS AND BALANCE THE BUDGET.

AND THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS WILL BE EUPHEMISMS PAINTING OVER YOUR PAIN.

YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF IS HE PRETENDING EVERYTHING IS OKAY.

ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN FOUR YEARS AGO?

MORE OF THE SAME IS WHAT YOU WILL GET.

I'M HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE I'M DAN COX AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> I KNOW THESE ARE UNCERTAIN TIMES I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THE POLITICS OF LIES AND DIVISION CAN MAKE US FEEL LIKE NOBODY IS LISTENING.

AND I THOUGH THAT BECAUSE I'M IN OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR.

WE NEED LEADERS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR YOU AND NOT FOCUSED ON FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

DESPITE THE CHAOS AND CORRUPTION WE'VE SEEN IN WASHINGTON D.C.

I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE CONFIDENT IN MARYLAND'S FUTURE.

I WAS RAISED RIGHT BY MY FAMILY.

I WAS TRAINED RIGHT BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND I WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD WE WILL MAKE SURE WE ARE GROWING AND DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY OFF OF WASHINGTON D.C.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MARYLANDERS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE BEST IN AMERICA AND WE WILL HAVE THE GREATEST PUBLIC SAFETY TURN AROUND STORY IN THE COUNTRY.

I'M HONORED TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR AND I KNOW THE JOB IS NOT DONE.

I'M HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE SO WE CAN CONTINUE PUSHING MARYLAND FORWARD.

>> GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

FOLKS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US E HOPE TO SEE YOU NOVEMBER 3, ELECTION DAY.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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