Governor Wes Moore is doing what every embattled Democrat in a deep-blue state eventually does—parading a handful of Republicans willing to sell out their base for short-term favors. On September 24 at the annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, Moore rolled out endorsements from six Republican officials who praised his “collaborative approach” and local spending projects.
The campaign billed it as a bipartisan breakthrough. In reality, it’s proof of everything grassroots conservatives in Maryland have been warning about: the rise of Republican-In-Name-Only politicians who slap an “R” on their ballot to get elected, then govern like Democrats once they have power.
Who Endorsed Moore?
The six “Republicans” Moore trotted out include:
- Travis Marion, Mayor of Rising Sun – Cited $150,000 in Project Restore cash.
- Judy Hamilton, Mayor of Westernport – Praised Moore for handling a water crisis.
- Jack Coburn, Mayor of Lonaconing – Thanked Moore for early intervention in the same issue.
- Carl Anderton, former Delegate – Celebrated billions in education funding and millions for Salisbury projects.
- John Barr, Washington County Commission President – Applauded business growth and I-81 funding.
- Ed Rothstein, former Carroll County Commissioner – Lauded Moore’s veteran programs.
On paper, these sound like solid deliverables. In practice, it’s the same playbook Democrats use every cycle: funnel taxpayer dollars into targeted projects, then wave local officials in front of cameras to pretend bipartisan consensus exists.
The Real Record
Moore frames his tenure as a success: “100,000 new jobs,” “reduced violent crime,” “record school investments.” But here’s the inconvenient truth:
- Spending Spree – Maryland is grappling with a $2.7 billion budget deficit and a bond rating downgrade. Moore’s answer? Raise taxes and spend more. Even the Baltimore Sun—hardly a conservative outlet—acknowledged his 2025 budget contained the largest tax increase in state history.
- Crime Crisis – Despite cherry-picked stats, Baltimore and Prince George’s remain violent. Moore’s soft-on-crime allies in Annapolis undercut enforcement while cashless bail and lenient sentencing demoralize law enforcement.
- Education Failures – Billions have been poured into schools under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, but student outcomes remain stagnant. Moore’s answer is more bureaucracy and higher costs, not accountability.
Conservatives Call It Out
Governor candidate John Myrick didn’t mince words after the crabfest:
“Only the bussed-in supporters of our current governor seemed happy he was there. Maryland deserves better.”
Delegate Matt Morgan was even sharper:
“Governor Moore desperately wants to appear bipartisan, but the news of local Republican officials endorsing him only confirms what I’ve been warning about for years… These RINOs are slippery. This election, make sure your candidates are thoroughly vetted. Don’t be fooled by those who are only pretending to represent your interests.”
Morgan is right. Many of these local officials govern like Democrats—raising taxes, stacking boards with left-leaning allies, and bending over backwards for activists. For them, Moore’s spending spigot is too tempting to resist.
A Playbook Borrowed From Larry Hogan
Moore knows Maryland’s GOP is fractured. He watched how former Gov. Larry Hogan coasted to two terms by peeling off suburban moderates and rural officials eager for funding. But there’s a difference: Hogan at least restrained spending and vetoed bad bills, even if weakly. Moore is no Hogan. He is a progressive who cloaks himself in bipartisan optics while advancing a tax-and-spend agenda.
What Voters Should Remember
- Bipartisanship is meaningless if it just means Republicans helping Democrats raise your taxes.
- Handing out earmarks isn’t leadership—it’s political patronage.
- Endorsements from mayors of tiny towns don’t erase Moore’s failures on crime, education, and fiscal responsibility.
The 2026 election will test whether Maryland conservatives fall for Moore’s “unity” routine—or finally demand accountability. Vet your candidates, as Morgan says. Don’t reward the RINOs who think a crab cake and a photo op are enough to buy your silence.
Maryland deserves better.
Discover more from RIPTIDE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
