Wes Moore’s Approval Slide: Marylanders Are Losing Patience

By Michael Phillips

Maryland Governor Wes Moore entered office in 2023 with sky-high expectations, bolstered by glowing media coverage, a progressive agenda, and a Democratic supermajority at his back. But just two years later, the honeymoon is over. Moore’s approval rating, once comfortably in the 60s, has slipped to 50% as of July 2025, with disapproval climbing and independents abandoning him in droves.

The numbers tell the story of a governor who has overpromised, underdelivered, and mismanaged a state already burdened by high taxes, rising costs, and shaky economic footing.

A Budget Crisis of His Own Making

Maryland faces a looming $3 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2026, a direct result of Moore’s spend-first, tax-later policies. Instead of tackling structural inefficiencies or cutting waste, Moore has leaned on tax hikes, fees, and gimmicks that hit working families the hardest.

• 67% of Marylanders say they already pay too much in taxes.
• 57% rate their personal finances as “poor” or “fair.”
• Utility bills are soaring, with 57% reporting “much higher” costs.

Moore’s insistence on prioritizing climate symbolism over practical energy policy—like refusing to support natural gas expansion—has only deepened the pain. His push for green mandates looks good in campaign ads, but Marylanders are left footing the bill when they flip on their lights.

Independents Are Walking Away

Perhaps most telling is Moore’s collapse among independents, who make up nearly a quarter of Maryland’s electorate. In November 2024, 47% of independents approved of his performance. By March 2025, that number dropped to 34%, with disapproval overtaking approval.

These voters are the bellwether for statewide elections, and they’re clearly souring on Moore. If independents continue to peel away, Democrats will find it far harder to sell Moore as a pragmatic, big-tent leader in 2026.

The Hogan Comparison

For years, Democrats in Annapolis insisted that Marylanders had finally moved past Larry Hogan’s pragmatic, centrist style. But the latest Ragnar poll in May 2025 showed Hogan with an astonishing 76% approval rating. Moore, at 50%, looks weak by comparison.

The contrast is stark: Hogan governed a deep-blue state with bipartisan buy-in, while Moore is presiding over a shrinking base of Democratic loyalists and frustrated independents. Even Democrats have begun to slip: his support among them has dropped to 68%, well below the 80% cushion incumbents typically need.

The “Presidential Vanity” Problem

Moore’s critics say his eyes are on higher office, not Annapolis. Republican strategist Doug Mayer branded Moore’s leadership as “anemic,” fueled by “presidential vanity” rather than practical results. And there’s evidence Marylanders agree: while Moore travels the country courting the national spotlight, problems at home—crime, schools, energy, and the budget—pile higher.

Meanwhile, crime data improvements touted by his administration, like the 62% reduction in Baltimore’s murder rate, are seen as statistical spin by many who still don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods.

Excuses Won’t Cut It

Moore and his allies blame federal policies, the Trump administration, or economic “anxiety” for his sinking numbers. But excuses don’t pay the bills. Voters expect leadership, not finger-pointing.

The Democratic Governors Association dismissed the July poll as “silly,” but Marylanders living with higher taxes, pricier utilities, and a shaky economy don’t find much to laugh about.

Conclusion: A Warning for 2026

Governor Wes Moore’s slide from 61% approval in January to 50% in July is no statistical fluke—it’s the product of fiscal mismanagement, rising costs, and an administration that puts symbolism above substance.

If Moore can’t reverse the trend, he risks not only losing independents but also handing Republicans a chance to revive their presence in Annapolis, especially if Larry Hogan jumps back into the arena.

Maryland may be a deep-blue state, but no governor—no matter how telegenic—can survive if voters stop believing he’s on their side.