What we learned from Wes Moore, Question 3 and Democrats’ big victories

The most contested statewide race was not for an office — but a map.

Voters had to decide how they felt about Question 3, the Democrats’ plan to redraw district lines and make it easier for the party to sweep all of the state’s congressional seats. Recent polling showed most voters opposed the measure. But when push came to shove, many seemed to hold their noses and vote in favor of it.

The measure passed easily, reflecting a larger triumph for Gov. Wes Moore and a dominant day for Democrats.

The redistricting plan came as a response to Republicans redrawing maps in other states. Its approval could mean that Andy Harris, Maryland’s only Republican in Congress, will face an uphill battle to keep that seat in the future.

Republicans, naturally, opposed Question 3. Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly called it “la la land absurdity” Tuesday.

And though Democrats supported it, some were torn by the concept of, essentially, fighting gerrymandering with more gerrymandering.

Ethan Starr and Ricky Weiss said Tuesday that they support a federal ban on gerrymandering and would like to see congressional action on the matter. Still, the pair voted in favor of the divisive measure.

“When one side weaponizes it,” Weiss said after voting at Digital Harbor High School, “we can’t just lay down and take it because of a moral stance.”

There was a recent Democratic sprint to back the measure. Former President Barack Obama endorsed the question in a commercial, which one Harford County voter cited as partially swaying him.

In prepared remarks Tuesday night, Moore lauded the question’s approval.

“I still hate partisan gerrymandering. But I hate when the wealthy and well-connected try to rewrite the rules to benefit themselves while the rest of us are forced to play by a different set of rules,” he said.

David Benn, a 26-year-old Prince George’s County voter, likened voting yes on Question 3 to a “factory reset.”

“To just correct the nonsense that Trump did,” he said Tuesday.

A good night for Moore

Not all of the votes in the gubernatorial rematch have been tallied. But it’s looking an awful lot like it did four years ago.

With 4 out of 5 ballots counted, Moore had a 29-point lead over Republican Dan Cox. In 2022, Moore bested Cox by a 32-point margin. Mail ballots favored Democrats, and Moore’s vote share should increase.

The landslide victory will provide Moore some bulletin board material for those who pointed to his slipping approval ratings or struggles to pass a new map of congressional districts.

The latter point is partially moot now, however, as Question 3’s approval was another victory for Moore.

Democratic politicians who campaigned with Moore, including Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms and Wisconsin Gov.-elect David Crowley, won, too.

Black leadership strengthens

Maryland continues to build on its legacy as an epicenter of Black political power. Of the state’s six most populous jurisdictions, five now have Black executives.

Black leaders were voted into executive positions in Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties, the most ever at one time. A fifth is leading in Wicomico County, with some votes still to be counted.

“I’m mindful of what my election is as the first female African American to serve as the Howard County executive,” Vanessa Atterbeary said Tuesday night.

In addition, state Del. Adrian Boafo handily won Maryland’s 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives, replacing long-serving Democratic leader Steny Hoyer. That means Maryland now has four Black members of Congress, a higher percentage of Black representation than in most states.

Attorney General Anthony Brown attributed the success of Black politicians in the state to a myriad of factors.

“It’s because of our values. It’s our history, it’s our commitment — whether it’s the equity, justice, and fairness — for all communities in Maryland,” he said.

“I’ve always said, ‘You present a Maryland voter with a capable, confident, skilled Black candidate, and we’re gonna win.’”

Nationally, there will soon be at least four Black elected governors. That marks a significant first — the country has never had multiple elected Black governors at the same time.

In addition to Moore, Bottoms and Crowley, Republican Gov. Byron Donalds won in Florida. Another Black gubernatorial candidate, Aaron Ford, is seeking the post in Nevada, but that election had not been called as of early Wednesday morning.

Part of a national trend

John Bender, a 47-year-old voter in Anne Arundel County, said his goal this year was simple: to vote out as many incumbents as possible.

“I voted Democrat all the way down the ballot this year because f--- the Republicans,” he said.

That colorfully summarized the way many voters seemed to approach the election. Democrats flipped Senate seats in red states, including North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. As of early Wednesday morning, Democrats were poised to take control of both chambers of Congress in what appeared to be a national rebuke of President Donald Trump.

That will likely set up a showdown between the legislative branch and Trump during his last two years in office. He has already promised in interviews to freely use his veto power.

Yep, the favorites won

A pillar of Cox’s strategy was to attack Moore on the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was initially projected for a 2028 completion but will instead likely be finished after 2030. Aquatic wildlife regulations call for certain construction restrictions to mitigate harm to animals from noise and vibration — leading to a theme at Cox’s watch party Tuesday night.

“Wes Moore won’t vibrate the turtles” could be heard while a turtle animation played.

Cox’s bridge push, apparently, did not resonate with enough voters. Across the state, Democrats held strong.

The state’s leadership at the top will pretty much look the same. Moore, Brown and Comptroller Brooke Lierman easily won reelection.

All three promised Tuesday night to continue to fight for Marylanders and against the Trump administration.

In congressional races, all incumbents won.

Banner reporters Céilí Doyle, Hallie Miller, Jess Nocera, Sapna Bansil, Hau Chu and Jessica Calefati contributed to this story.