Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) said Sunday that he believes several statewide races in the historically red U.S. South are \u201cin play\u201d for Democrats this cycle, adding that the party has \u201cmade mistakes in not investing earlier\u201d in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve seen some movement, especially in the South — talk of Florida potentially being in play, Mississippi, South Carolina. Do you think those places are really in play?\u201d asked \u201cThis Week\u201d co-anchor Jonathan Karl Sunday, adding, “And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are,\u201d Moore said. \u201cThey are in play, and we have made mistakes in not investing earlier. And I don’t even think just earlier in this cycle — I think earlier in this generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moore said the Democratic Party had largely written off the region, which he said has led to fewer history-making candidates being elected.<\/p>\n
![\"Alaska\"](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/5d408f92-a5c9-42ef-8266-22e0710ab6a3\/gov_wes_moore_abc_cw_20261025_1792938602399_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=375 "\\"Alaska\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., appears on ABC News’ “This Week.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n ABC News<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI am the third African American ever elected governor in the history of the United States of America. That’s not because I’m the third African American ever qualified. That’s because oftentimes there’s been chronic underinvestment,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n Democrats are increasingly bullish about their midterm prospects. Polls for top-of-the-ticket races in Texas, Iowa, Kansas and Alaska have shown the Democratic candidates tied with, or even leading against, Republican contenders. More recent polling suggests that statewide races in places considered to be even more in the GOP\u2019s grip — like Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi — are closer than expected.<\/p>\n Moore noted his campaign \u201cpersonally invested\u201d in Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wonderful thing that I feel about Gina or Keisha [Lance Bottoms in Georgia] or, or Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina is that they would be history-making candidates, but making history is not the assignment. The assignment is to win,\u201d Moore said. \u201cThe assignment is to do things like making sure that we can provide health care for people. The assignment is to make sure that we can end child poverty. The assignment is to make sure that we can raise wages.”<\/p>\n “If you can do that, then I think you have really good candidates who don’t have a chance to win, but really good chance, have a chance to make life better for the people in their states,\u201d Moore declared.<\/p>\n Moore predicted that Democrats would have the successful election they\u2019re hoping for.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it’s not just that the base is, is energized. I think right now the base is [enlarged], and that is, that is important,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m seeing it all over the state of Maryland, where we\u2019re campaigning for re-election. \u2026 But I’m also seeing it when I’m out campaigning for other common-sense leaders around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are excited right now because they’re looking for leadership that’s not just going to push back against this corruption from [President] Donald Trump, but push forward for a new direction,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n While the 2026 midterm election is now nine days away, jockeying for the 2028 presidential election is already underway. Karl pressed Moore on whether he\u2019d be one of the Democrats expected to make a run for the White House.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been pretty clear over the past year that you\u2019re not running for president, but you seem to be a little less clear now,\u201d Karl said. \u201cHave you changed your mind on this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, no, because I\u2019m very focused on–,\u201d Moore began.<\/p>\n \u201cYou haven\u2019t changed your mind? So you\u2019re committed to fulfilling a full term [as governor]?\u201d Karl interjected.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I wouldn’t be running for re-election if I was thinking about anything else, to be clear,\u201d Moore said. \u201cMy entire focus right now is on the people of Maryland.\u201d<\/p>\n Karl also asked Moore to share a few words that came to mind about other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates.<\/p>\n On Sen. Mark Kelly: \u201cRemarkable veteran.\u201d<\/p>\n On former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: \u201cRemarkably competent.\u201d<\/p>\n On Gov. Josh Shapiro: \u201cReally solid advocate.\u201d<\/p>\n On former Vice President Kamala Harris: \u201cReally decent person and great vice president.\u201d<\/p>\n On Gov. Gavin Newsom: \u201cStrong leader.\u201d<\/p>\n On Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: \u201cPassionate advocate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n