If Moore doesn’t fund the Teacher Union Spending Demands, Will Trone be their “Avenger.”
Beyond the budget dilemma created by his promise to the Maryland Teachers’ Union to fund their “Kirwan Blueprint,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore faces the political calculus of a potential primary challenge from David Trone.
According to a recent poll, 54% of Marylanders approve of the governor’s job performance, while 32% disapprove.[i] While Moore’s numbers are good, they do not match the 71% approval that Larry Hogan had at a comparable point in his term or the 77% approval when he left office.[ii] An aggressive tax package, such as suggested by some Democrats in the legislature, would severely dent Gov. Moore’s approval, even among Democrats. This would open one path toward a potential Trone primary challenge.
However, if Wes Moore doesn’t fund the Maryland Teacher Union’s Kirwan Blueprint spending wish list, Trone could alternatively run for governor as the union’s avenger. While Moore enjoyed the union’s support in the 2022 Democratic primary for Governor, David Trone also had the union’s nod in his 2024 primary for the US Senate.
Consider the effusive endorsement of Trone for the US Senate by MSEA President Cheryl Bost: “Maryland educators are excited to back David Trone, the son of a public educator, and appreciate his strong record of fighting to give our educators, students, and schools the tools and resources needed to thrive. He has continually demonstrated his commitment to being an ally and champion for Maryland students, educators, and schools. David Trone is willing to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work to deliver for our educators, but most importantly, he’s ready and willing to hear our concerns and take action to help us at a moment’s notice.”[iii]
Either way, Wes Moore could face a potentially formidable opponent. According to disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, he funneled nearly $62.5 million of his personal fortune into a year-long unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Senate nomination. [iv]
By comparison, two years earlier, the top three front runners in the Democratic race for Maryland governor raised more than $10 million. Wes Moore led the 2022 Democratic primary money race with $6.7 million.[v] To be sure, Moore was subsequently able to raise far more for the general election. However, a mere fraction of Trone’s 2024 primary spending would be enough to wage a competitive primary for Governor in 2026.
In a Maryland Matters interview posted just before Christmas, Trone gives no hint to possible future political intentions, except that:
“The energetic 69-year-old philanthropist isn’t going to return to head the national retail chain of Total Wine & More.” Says Trone: “Now, I have a chance to give back to help folks.”
As the Maryland Matter piece notes: “He hasn’t entirely walked away from politics: Trone has endorsed Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy in a special election for county executive and said he plans to contribute financially to her campaign. Braveboy endorsed Trone in the Democratic primary for Senate, which he lost in May to Alsobrooks, who was then the county executive.”
And, perhaps potentially ominously for Wes Moore, the Maryland Matter piece further quotes Trone:
“We have a lot of relationships. We have a lot of energy. We have a lot of executive expertise on how to run a business, how to run a group. We like to do that, …. I’m not looking for a paycheck. I’m looking for accomplishments.”[vi]
David Trone does not sound like he plans on retiring anytime soon. And if Wes Moore creates the political opening, then.…
[i] https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-voters-umbc-election-poll-wes-moore-economy/
[ii] https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/governor-larry-hogan-leaves-office-with-a-77-approval-rating-gonzales-maryland-poll-says
[iii] https://marylandeducators.org/msea-delegates-vote-to-recommend-david-trone-to-nea-for-endorsement-in-u-s-senate-race/
[iv] https://moco360.media/2024/07/16/rep-trone-almost-enters-national-record-books-despite-losing-primary/
[v] https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-election-money-2022-governors-race-out-of-state-donors/40643518
[vi] https://marylandmatters.org/2024/12/23/trone-reflects-on-bipartisanship-plans-to-continue-work-with-his-foundation/
Direct Line News is a Maryland-based free-access publication committed to the Republican reform tradition.
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