ROCKVILLE, Md. — President Joe Biden joined Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore at the Democratic National Committee rally Thursday.
The Montgomery County event featured both Maryland's gubernatorial candidate and the president as speakers at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville.
Moore won the Democratic primary for governor in July. The win pitted Moore against the Republican nominee Dan Cox, a Trump-endorsed candidate that beat former Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz. Just months away from the general election, the Moore campaign is focusing on unifying the democratic party after a long primary season delayed by two weeks because of redistricting.
"We are going to win this race because we are going to outwork everybody," Moore said.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate then told his supporters to not become complacent as the election nears.
"Do not underestimate what we are up against," Moore said. "Do not underestimate what we are up against.”
Moore and campaign officials credited part of their success to securing influential endorsements across the state including Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and The Maryland Education Association.
“I am so proud of Prince Georgians. They have been reliable for many years and will continue that," Angela Alsobrooks, an early supporter of Moore, said at the time.
Moore shared with rally attendees the story of his upbringing and his vision for the state moving forward.
"I first felt handcuffs on my wrists when I was 11 years old because I came up in areas that were overpoliced and we knew it," Moore said. "The nominee was born in Takoma Park, Maryland and spent time in his youth living in Baltimore.
However, Moore said during those challenges, he had the support of the community around him.
"And, now I stand here today, in front of all of you, as the Democratic nominee to become the next governor for the state of Maryland," he said.
Moore added, that if elected, he will work to fight inequality in the state.
"When you look at this state, we have some of the most prosperous communities in America, but also some of its most impoverished," he said. "The most innovative tech companies on earth, biotech, agro-tech, [and] cyber-tech. Maryland is poised to become the capital of quantum and students who still don’t have access to WiFi."
President Joe Biden endorsed Moore prior to Thursday's rally. On stage, he criticized the political vision of Cox and his base.
"I respect conservative Republicans," he said. "I don't respect these MAGA Republicans."
Biden continued to say that Moore was the "real deal."
"Folks, he's a combat veteran, only drawback is he's a Rhodes Scholar," the president joked. "Former CEO at one of the biggest anti-poverty organizations in America -- and if we all do our part -- the next governor of Maryland!"
A heckler did interrupt the President briefly during his speech before he was escorted out of the building.
Cox was scheduled to hold a press conference in Rockville, on Thursday, too. However, he canceled it a few hours beforehand due to a scheduling conflict.
He released a statement later Thursday evening.
“I will win this November and vigorously serve the people of Maryland as governor because the failed policies of the Biden Administration which Wes Moore is praising, advancing and will implement are disastrous for Maryland," the statement reads. "This could not be better highlighted as it is today with President Joe Biden’s visit to Richard Montgomery High School to campaign for Wes Moore in-person while Wes Moore appears to be avoiding in-person debates with me, still not confirming the federal worker’s debate, and nearly half a dozen other television-proposed debates."
Watch the full event below: