Wes Moore replacing campaign manager weeks before primary

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is replacing his campaign manager less than two weeks after a pair of highly produced rallies to kick his reelection effort into high gear.

Ron Owens, who had been the Democratic governor’s campaign manager since last summer, will exit at the end of the week.

He’ll be replaced by Dylan Arant, who currently works in the governor’s State House office and ran Attorney General Anthony Brown’s successful campaign in 2022.

The change comes roughly six weeks before the June 23 Democratic primary, in which Moore faces token opposition from Eric Felber, a Montgomery County doctor.

Owens was an “invaluable” part of the campaign team, Moore spokesperson Carter Elliott IV said in a statement.

“His dedication, hard work and commitment to our mission to leave no one behind have helped build the strong foundation the campaign stands on today,” Elliott said.

The campaign said Owens was “stepping away” but did not explain why.

Owens hails from Michigan, and past campaign work has included Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2018 campaign. He was involved in U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ successful 2022 campaign.

Arant has been director of public policy and senior adviser in Moore’s State House office since February 2025. He previously worked for North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s 2024 campaign and was Jackson’s chief of staff when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Moore and running mate Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller are well positioned in their reelection effort, starting the year with $8 million in campaign accounts.

Many Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination to take on Moore, including Dan Cox, a MAGA-aligned former state lawmaker whom Moore defeated in 2022 in the biggest blowout in three decades; and Ed Hale Sr., a soccer team owner and retired banker who was a Democrat until last year.

The next round of campaign finance reports is due at midnight Tuesday, giving a glimpse into how much money candidates have and how they’re using their money to reach voters.

Elections officials have begun sending out mail ballots, and early in-person voting begins June 11.

Banner reporter Lee O. Sanderlin contributed to this article.