2022 Maryland Governor Voters Guide
Dan Cox (R) vs Wes Moore (D)
The Candidates
Ban. “I firmly believe in pro-life values.” Would “stop…taxpayer funds” going to out-of-state patients seeking abortion in state. Sponsored a bill prohibiting abortions of fetuses with a heartbeat, at roughly six weeks.
Legal. “I believe that abortion is health care” and will make “reproductive care more affordable and accessible.” Would “ensure Maryland will be a safe haven for abortion.”
No. Voted against bills that support lowering greenhouse gas emissions, conversion to zero-emission buses, and more jobs in clean energy sector.
Yes. Supports parental choice for schools and providing funding for “private, charter, and homeschool K-12 learning.” Sponsored a bill to provide grants to students attending public and nonpublic schools during Covid school shutdowns.
Unclear. Asked about vouchers for private schools, said “I just look forward to working with the legislature to come up with the correct answer.”
Proposed amendments prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity; calls it “gender identity indoctrination.” Says schools are teaching critical race theory, and “parents are tired of the radical left using their children as social experiments.”
“We have to love our country enough to tell the hard truths about its history.” Will work toward “LGBTQ+-affirming policies” at schools to combat harassment, provide tool and resources, and offer mental health care.
Mixed. Voted against legislation increasing education funding by $3.8 billion per year for 10 years. Supports raising teachers’ salaries. Voted to increase student financial aid to higher education. Voted to provide additional funding to historically Black colleges.
Yes. Will fully fund and implement Blueprint legislation increasing education funding by $3.8 billion per year for 10 years. Will work with local jurisdictions, “parents, teachers, students” to “build a world-class public education system.”
No. As one of “President Trump’s volunteer lawyers,” “has led the fight for election integrity.” Would “order a forensic audit of the 2020 election.”
Yes. Campaigning with Biden, said “we are up against an election denier.” Referenced “Trump’s lies about the 2020 election.”
Mostly loosen. Wants to end the fracking ban to produce more energy. Voted against bills that established an electric school bus pilot program and that prohibited wild animal trafficking and balloon releases. Voted for a bill prohibiting selling or distributing items with PFAS chemicals.
Tighten. Supports a “cap-and-invest” program that could tax polluters. Supports “environmental justice” and would “effectively regulate polluting facilities.”
Less. “I stand for constitutional carry;” would “cease enforcement of unconstitutional gun laws in Maryland.” Voted against expanded background checks and statewide tracking of firearm crimes.
More. Will expand background checks, implement extreme risk protective order laws, and eliminate ghost guns. “I am committed to strengthening our gun laws.”
No. In 2016, said supports “free-market approach” and opposes a “government-run healthcare.” Voted against a bill to “maximizing enrollment”…”in affordable insurance programs.” Calls COVID-19 health measures “oppression” and tried to impeach Governor Hogan for COVID measures he took.
Yes. “Health care is a fundamental right” and “will ensure universal access to affordable health coverage.” Supports more Medicaid funding for low-income people. Called for increases in home-tests, testing sites, and vaccination rates to better control COVID-19.
Will “end“ crime through immigration policy. In 2016 said would “end ‘sanctuary’ cities” and “secure our borders.” Voted against bills to extend a tax credit to undocumented taxpaying immigrants and expand immigrants’ protections. Opposed a bill prohibiting police from asking suspects their immigration status.
“Immigration is what make our country rich.” As the CEO of a nonprofit foundation, pushed for support for immigrant families left out of the American Rescue Plan, and gave $150,000 to a college in NYC to help undocumented DACA students.
Harder. Voted against a bill allowing union members to subtract their union dues from their income tax.
Easier. Believes “strong unions are essential” to a thriving economy. Will “strengthen collective bargaining” for teachers. Unions “will always have a voice and seat at the table.”
Limit. Opposes “gender indoctrination” in schools and transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. Voted against a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, and another bill requiring licenses and ID cards to have an unspecified/other sex option.
Expand. Would adopt LGBTQ+ affirming policies in schools, provide gender-affirming health care to transgender people, and support LGBTQ+ businesses. Fought to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law. “Being gay isn’t a choice. Ignorance and Intolerance is.”
Banned. Opposes the recreational marijuana ballot initiative. Voted against a bill that set legal amounts for marijuana possession and home cultivation.
Legal. Supports the recreational marijuana ballot initiative. Legalizing “is a meaningful way to combat racial inequities.” Will “expunge the records of anyone convicted of simple possession.”
No recent position found, but in 2019, voted against a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025.
Raise. Would accelerate the wage increase to $15 by 2023. “It will not (take) until 2025 in my administration.”
Will back the police, maintain “quasi-immunity,” “double their pay,” and treat them like “heroes.” Voted against independent investigation of use of force resulting in death. Voted against making officer misconduct records available to public.
With the “responsibility” of being a police officer, “there’s going to be accountability.” Supports civilian review boards. Wants a police force committed to “abolishing police brutality… racial profiling… and the no-knock warrants.”
No. Calls loan forgiveness “an affront to everyone in the state of Maryland.” The issue is not “reducing interest” but making sure “the economy is working again.”
Yes. Supports loan forgiveness as a STEM incentive. Will increase “funding for financial aid” and expand the Student Loan Debt Tax Credit.
Less. Supports lowering “property taxes,” “corporate taxes,” and “fuel taxes.” In 2016, said will “grow jobs… by lowering the business and individual tax rates.”
More. Supports “a more progressive tax policy” to ensure “everyone pays their fair share.” Supports raising “the tax rate for higher income levels” and reforming corporate tax codes.
Yes. Supports a voter ID requirement. Voted against allowing addition of missing signatures on mailed-in ballots and permitting voters to get automatic mail-in ballots.
No. “Voting should always be easy and safe for everyone.” Supports “early voting systems” and “mail-in balloting.” Criticized a voter ID bill in 2021, calling it “voter suppression.”
We only include candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others, including David Lashar (L) and Nancy Wallace (G).
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