Ed Hale, who is challenging Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial primary, announced on Wednesday that he will switch parties to run against the Maryland governor as a Republican.
A longtime Democrat known as the former chairman and CEO of 1st Mariner Bank, Hale was initially set to mount a primary challenge against Moore, a fairly popular governor viewed as one of the Left’s rising stars, as a member of his native Democratic Party.
As he launched his campaign this week, Hale revealed he believed Moore holds too much power in the state to leave challengers any real chance at winning the primary. Running as a Republican and striking a centrist tone could broaden his base, Hale hopes, giving him leverage needed to
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