UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Wes Moore, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Maryland, received a high profile endorsement Saturday when opening a new field office for his campaign in Upper Marlboro.
In a blow to former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker — who, for the second time, is running for governor — current County Executive Angela Alsobrook made a surprise appearance at Moore's event, announcing her support for the candidate.
“I believe that Wes Moore is the leader that we need in this moment, and I fully support his effort to be our next Governor,” said Alsobrooks in a statement.
"I'm not going to say it wasn't disappointing," said Baker when WUSA9 reached out for comment. "She is someone I consider a friend. So, it was a bit of surprise. I wasn't expecting this to come." Campaign officials for State Comptroller and candidate, Peter Franchot, had no comment.
Franchot, Baker, and Moore represent the three leading Democratic candidates in what is a crowded field, polling data from January showed. Other Democratic candidates includes former chair of the Democratic National Committee Tom Perez, former U.S. Education Secretary John King and Ashwani Jain.
Born in Takoma Park, this is Moore's first run for political office. He's a New York Times best-selling author, combat veteran, Rhodes Scholar, and former CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation.
Alsobrook's endorsement is Moore's the second endorsement from a county executive in Maryland. She stood alongside Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D) who, according to the Washington Post, endorsed Moore six months ago.
Alsobrooks said Moore is the candidate she'd trust to lead her family "to make the tough decision in the midnight hour."
"Prince George's County is, and this is by not by way of exaggeration, it's the crown jewel of Maryland," Alsobrooks said. "And let me be clear, no one gets to the governor's mansion except that they come through Prince George's County. All roads run through Prince George's County."
Moore thanked Alsobrooks for her support calling her a "“fierce fighter for Prince Georgians."
He said in a statement, “We are going to campaign hard together and I am eager to work with her to support families in Gorgeous Prince George’s and across Maryland now and for years to come.”
Prince George's County is the second most populous county in Maryland in Maryland. Alsobrook's endorsement is a likely blow to Baker, who is trying for the second time to win the Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland.
According to the Post, Baker has been endorsed by 11 Prince George's County Councilmembers and "took in about $128,000 from October to January, and listed $63,000 as cash on hand."
Also joining Moore at the event was his running mate, and candidate lieutenant governor, Aruna Miller, along with other community leaders such as Bowie Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Adrian Boafo, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy, State Sen. Obie Patterson (District 26) and State Del. Nicole William (District 22).
Moore has raised nearly $5 million from April to January, which, according to the Post, is the largest cash on hand for any candidates in the field.
The primary election in Maryland is June 28 and Democrats are hoping to win back the governor's mansion.