Overview

• In a two-minute announcement video, the Maryland governor contrasts his record with President Trump’s agenda and highlights work on public safety, jobs, taxes for veterans and middle-income filers, and a rapid Port of Baltimore reopening.
• He claims to have turned a structural deficit into a surplus for the current year; independent state analysts agree on the short term but warn of projected gaps ahead after a session that included tax and fee increases, a hiring freeze, and buyouts.
• Moore’s campaign starts with more than $4 million in the bank and recent polling that places his approval around 50 percent.
• He faces no significant Democratic primary opposition so far, with only perennial candidate Ralph Jaffe filed against him.
• Republican contenders include Baltimore businessman Ed Hale and Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, who opened an exploratory committee, as some in the party eye whether Larry Hogan enters before the Feb. 24 filing deadline.