Michael Cryor and Susan Turnbull, former chairs of the Maryland Democratic Party, announced Tuesday that they’ve endorsed Wes Moore in the party’s 2022 gubernatorial primary.
Cryor chaired the party from 2007 to 2009 and Turnbull succeeded him.
Cryor said Moore, an author, former nonprofit CEO and military veteran, has “the ideas, life experiences, vision and leadership capabilities to lead Maryland forward as its next Governor.”
Author and former nonprofit CEO Wes Moore, a Democratic candidate for governor, outside the Maryland Association of Counties conference in Ocean City. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
“While I have tremendous respect for the other accomplished candidates who are also running, some of whom are my friends, I believe Wes uniquely understands what’s required at this time to bring about broad-based economic opportunity and advancement for our young people, working families, small and large business owners, and our diverse communities,” Cryor said in a statement.
He also touted Moore’s “unbounded enthusiasm” and “keen understanding that by helping to heal the environment, supporting a culture of innovation and enabling entrepreneurship to flourish across our state, we have the best chance to lift the prospects of all Marylanders.”
Turnbull was the party’s lieutenant governor nominee on Ben Jealous’ ticket in 2018, and was state party chair from 2009 to 2011. From 2005 to 2009, she was vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
“I am convinced Wes Moore will be an inspirational and extraordinary Governor for our state, and I am excited to endorse him and work to help elect him,” Turnbull said in a written statement. “He has impressed me by his unique combination of empathy, talent and experience and I am proud to stand with leaders from across Maryland as part of a winning coalition in support of his candidacy.”
Moore said the latest endorsements were part of an “extraordinary and diverse coalition of changemakers across sectors united around our vision of expanded work, wages, and wealth for every family in Maryland.”
He credited Cryor and Turnbull for “elevating leaders from all backgrounds during their tenures.”
Earlier this month, another former party leader, Kathleen Matthews, endorsed Tom Perez, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, in the race.
The primary election is June 28.
Danielle E. Gaines
Contributor
Danielle Gaines worked for Maryland Matters from September 2018 to January 2024. She covered government and politics for Maryland Matters for two years before moving into an editing position, ultimately serving as editor-in-chief for nearly three years. Previously, she spent six years at The Frederick News-Post ― as the paper’s principal government and politics reporter for half that time, covering courts and legal affairs before that. She also reported for the now-defunct The Gazette of Politics and Business in Maryland and previously worked as a county government and education reporter at The Merced Sun-Star in California’s Central Valley.
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