Gov. Wes Moore and Dan Cox questioned each other’s relationship with the truth during their first, and likely only, debate ahead of the November election. The debate was at times feisty.

“The governor has a truth problem,” Cox said once of Moore’s claim.

“That’s a lie. An absolute lie. A falsity,” Moore said of Cox’s claims.

We checked out some of their claims:

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“Despite it taking 10 years to build the initial Key Bridge, we are now going to have it done in a fraction of the time.” — Gov. Wes Moore

This is misleading and speculative.

Construction on the original Key Bridge began in 1972 and was completed in 1977, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. In the late ’60s, the original plan was to build another harbor tunnel. But lawmakers switched course and approved a bridge in 1971 after the tunnel was deemed too expensive.

As to getting it done in a “fraction of the time,” that seems unlikely. Moore has already moved the goalposts for completion from 2028 to 2030. But the bridge still isn’t under contract, and it’s unclear when construction will begin.

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“He’s been out of state for almost a year.” — Dan Cox

Exaggerated.

Cox is being a bit hyperbolic.

During his first term — nearly four years — Moore has spent at least 270 full or partial days in other states. He visited at least 27 states, often for political business in addition to travel directly related to his duties as governor.

The governor has spent about 25% of his days out of state since January 2025.

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“I signed the largest mass pardon in the history of the United States of America, where I pardoned over 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions.” — Gov. Wes Moore

True.

Moore in 2024 pardoned more than 175,000 cannabis-related convictions, nullifying guilty verdicts decided when carrying small amounts of the drug or paraphernalia was illegal.

Maryland was the first state to recognize the Trans Day of Visibility. — Gov. Wes Moore

True.

Moore was the first governor to recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility at a celebration in the Maryland State House.

Two years later a prominent LGBTQIA+ leader called him out for a lack of investment and policy changes to back up that support.

“He signed a law preventing prosecutors from charging violent 16 and 17-year-olds as adults.” — Dan Cox

False.

Moore signed the Youth Charging Reform Act in April, which shortened the list of crimes that result in prosecutors automatically charging children as adults.

The law requires a juvenile court hear those cases first, but they can still be referred up to adult court.

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“We’ve cut taxes for the middle class and for military families.” — Gov. Wes Moore

True, but with a big catch.

In 2025, Moore’s budget included a modest state tax reduction for about 59% of Marylanders, with many of those taxpayers seeing an average savings of $43 per year. For many, those savings have been offset by increases in vehicle registration fees and other fees, which have far outpaced the average savings.

In 2023, he increased an existing tax exemption on military retirement income.

“Math and reading scores are at a five-year high.” — Gov. Wes Moore

True, but needs context.

While test scores in both subjects have increased every year since 2022, progress has largely flatlined. And students still trail in math from where they were pre-pandemic.

“You [Moore] have raised $2 billion in taxes on the backs of Marylanders.” — Dan Cox

True, but needs context.

Over the last three years, there has been about $2.5 billion in new state revenue from increased taxes and various fees. But Moore cannot single-handedly raise taxes. The legislature has to approve them when it votes on the budget, and oftentimes the budget is different from one the governor proposes.

“We have some of the highest electrical bills in the nation.” — Dan Cox

True.

Cox said what many Marylanders know: utility bills are steep and getting steeper. One tool, from an energy researcher who works at a nonprofit in Colorado, shows that Maryland has the 15th highest energy costs of any state.