.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FROM WBL ATV 11 NEWS, TONIGHT WE PRESENT A ONE HOUR DEBATE FEATURING THE TOP TWO CONTENDERS FOR MARYLAND GOVERNOR WITH MARYLAND PIB LICK TELEVISION AND WBLA.

AND ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE ON NBC IN WASHINGTON AND LISTENING IN BALTIMORE.

I WILL BE YOUR MODERATOR TONIGHT AND HOPEFULLY KEEP THINGS ON TRACK AS WE EXPLORE KEY ISSUES ON THE MINDS OF MARYLAND VOTERS.

WE'LL GET TO OUR CANDIDATES IN JUST A MOMENT.

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO INTROA DWEUS TO YOU OUR INQUISITIVE PANEL OF JOURNALISTS STARTING WITH REPORTER PAMELA WOOD FROM THE BALTIMORE BANNER.

ALSO TRACEY WILL KENS IS THE PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY BURROW CHIEF FOR NBC WASHINGTON, ALEXIS TAYLOR IS REPRESENTING THEAFTER CON AMERICAN-- AFRO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

TONIGHT'S DEBATE WILL FEATURE QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT JOURNALISTS FROM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND SALISBURY UNIVERSITY.

SO LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT.

TONIGHT WE WILL HEAR FROM DAN COX, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR AND WES MOORE, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE AS SELECTED BY MARYLAND VOTERS DURING THE PRIMARY ELECTION THIS SUMMER.

WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER EACH OF OUR CANDIDATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN OPENING STATEMENT.

AND WE USED YESTERDAY'S MARYLAND LOTTERY MIDDAY PICK THREE NUMBER TO RANDOMLY SELECT WHICH CANDIDATE WILL GO FIRST.

WE COULD HAVE DONE THE OLD COIN FLIP BUT THIS IS WAY MORE FUN.

SO MR. MOORE, THE PICK THREE WAS IN YOUR FAVOR, YOU WIN NO MONEY BUT YOU WIN THE CLANS TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> I APPRECIATES THAT AND GOOD EVENING.

THIS CAN BE MARYLAND'S MOMENT.

WE HAVE AMAZING PEOPLE AND INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS IN A POSITION TO SUCCEED.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I WAS RAISED BY AN IMMIGRANT SINGLE MOM AFTER MY DAD DIED.

I JOINED THE ARMY AND LEARNED A BASIC PRINCIPLE, LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

AND AS YOUR GOVERNOR, THAT WILL BE THE NEW MISSION FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

NOW I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN ABOUT PAYING GROCERIES AND BILLS.

BUT WE CAN BUILD AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

BUT WE CAN WORK WITH COMMUNITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I KNOW ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS BEING STRIPPED AWAY.

MARYLAND CAN BE A STATE THAT PROTECTS ABORTION RIGHTS AND ABORTION ACCESS.

MY NAME IS WES MOORE, I'M A COMBAT VETERAN, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, A THIRD GENERATION MARYLANDER AND I WILL BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT, MARYLAND.

>> MR. COX.

>> WELL, HELLO MARYLAND, IT IS IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TO REPRESENT YOUR INTERESTS.

I AM A HUSBAND, MY PRECIOUS BRIDE OF 26 YEARS, MY LOVELY FAMILY OF TEN CHILDREN.

WE ARE SERVING YOU AND IN THE STATEHOUSE.

HAVE I SERVED FOR MANY YEARS IN WORKING AS A SMALL BUSINESSMAN.

I HAVE WORKED, GREW UP ON A FARM AND I HAD TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE.

I UNDERSTAND AND I FEEL THE PAIN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE THAT SO MANY MARYLANDERS ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT IS WHY IN THE LEGISLATURE I STOOD WITH GOVERNOR HOGAN TO ENSURE THAT OUR STREETS WERE SAFE, AND THAT OUR TAXES WERE LOWER.

I WAS ON THE GOVERNOR'S ACCOUNT ABILITY, CRIME ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.

I WAS ON THE TASK FORCE.

AND ADDITIONALLY HAVE I WORKED FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE, AND THAT THE OPTIONS ARE THERE FOR THEM.

BUT MY OPPONENT, HE HAS SAULT TO DEFUND THE POLICE, HE HAS SOWT FROM THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SOWT TO CENTRALIZE-- SOUGHT TO DE STRAILIZE, I INTEND TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.

>> MY FIRST QUESTION FROM PAMELA WOOD.

>> THANK YOU, THIS QUESTION GOES FIRST TO DELEGATE COX.

YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF PROMOTING DISTRUST IN ELECTIONS.

YOU HAVE CLAIMED THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP.

YOU WORKED AS A LAWYER ON HIS BEHALF IN PENNSYLVANIA.

AND YOU COHOSTED BUSES TO WASHINGTON D.C. ON JANUARY 6th, 2021 FOR HIS STOP THE STEAL RALLY.

AND HERE IN MARYLAND, YOU JUST FOUGHT UNSUCCESSFULLY A LEGAL BATTLE OVER HOW SOME OF THE BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED.

DO YOU TRUST THAT MARYLAND'S ELECTION SYSTEM IS ACCURATE?

AND SHOULD MARYLANDERS BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL HONOR AND ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY I BELIEVE IN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM.

AND AS A CONSTITUTIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO DO IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE PLEDGED TO DO AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, TO ENSURE THAT REALLY DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE, RIGHT.

WE HAVE A REPUBLIC, THAT MEANS THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED.

THAT IS ALL I HAVE EVER SOUGHT TO DO AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I INTEND TO CONTINUE TO DO.

>> AND SO JUST TO FOLLOW UP, I ASKED IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION AND BELIEVE THAT THERE IS INTEGRITY, THE WAY THAT THE ELECTION IS BEING CARRIED OUT THIS FALL, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WILL BE ACCURATE AND WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS.

>> WELL, I HAVE ALWAYS ACCEPTED ELECTION RESULTS THAT ARE FAIR AND THAT ARE FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION.

I INTEND TO LOOK TO THE CONSTITUTION AND UPHOLD THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AT THIS POINT IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO SAYING THAT BEFORE A SURGERY TAKES PLACE, TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE SURGERY WENT WELL.

THAT IS WHY THE STATUTE OF MARYLAND ACTUALLY PROTECTS DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS ALIKE, TO SAY THERE IS A PROCESS THAT HAS TO BE FOLLOWED.

AND EVERY SINGLE CANDIDATE ON THE BALLOT HAS A RIGHT TO THAT PROCESS AND I INTEND TO UPHOLD THAT PROCESS.

>> TO MR. MOORE, NOW YOU HAVE STATED THAT YOU WILL HONOR THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

GIVEN THE STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS OF YOUR OPPONENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A MEANINGFUL NUMBER OF MARYLANDERS WILL NOT BELIEVE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

WHAT MORE DO YOU BELIEVE COULD BE DONE TO ENSURE ELECTION INTEGRITY AND FAITH IN THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

>> I WANT TO READ SOMETHING.

I AM COHOSTING TWO BUSES TO THE MILLION MAGA MARCH SLASH RALLY WITH THE FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATIVE CLUB IN SUPPORT OF@REAL DONALD TRUMP ON JANUARY 6th, 2021 TO HASHTAG STOP THE STEAL.

DEMAND NO HASHTAG CHINA BIDEN.

THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF MY OPPONENT.

AND SO TO MARYLANDERS I SAY THIS.

WE HAVE FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS IN OUR STATE.

NEVER HAS THE QUESTION OF ELECTION INTEGRITY COME UP IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND THEY WILL NOT COME UP IN 2022.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE ELECTION PROCESS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND I WILL HONOR THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION AND I'M HOPING THAT MY OPPONENT WILL DO THE SAME.

>> THANK YOU.

BUT TO MY QUESTION, WHAT MORE COULD BE DONE TO ENSURE PUBLIC TRUST IN THE ELECTION RESULTS?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PROPOSALS.

>> WELL, I THINK PUBLIC TRUST IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS THERE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN ELECTION SYSTEM WHERE WE OFFER MAIL-IN BALLOT, AN ELECTION SYSTEM WHERE WE OFFER EARLY VOTING.

WE HAVE AN ELECTION SYSTEM WHERE WE OFFER DAY OF.

AND WE HAVE A COURT SYSTEM THAT REINFORCED THE FACT THAT EARLY BALLOTS SHOULD BE COUNTED PRIOR.

WE HAVE A REMARKABLY TRANSPARENT ELECTION SYSTEM IN OUR STATE.

AND ONE THAT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND FRANKLY DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE TO CAST DOUBT IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM OF MARYLAND.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OUR NEXT QUESTION TONIGHT.

>> MAY I RESPOND?

>> TEN SECONDS IF YOU COULD.

>> SO THE ONLY THING THAT IS DANGEROUS IS A CANDIDATE SUCH AS MY OPPONENT WHO WISHES TO CENTRALIZE AUTHORITY AND COMPLETELY IGNORE THE CONSTITUTION AND THE STATE LAW.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SEEKING TO DO IS UPHOLD THE STATE LAW FOR EVERYONE.

AND THAT IS EXEMPLIFIED EVEN IN MY OWN COUNTY WHERE A DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE WON ELECTION BY ONE VOTE AND THEN THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS WAS THEN DENIED.

JUST THIS LAST MONTH, IN JULY, EXCUSE ME.

BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A QUESTION AS TO THE COUNTING.

THAT IS THE RIGHT OF EVERY SINGLE CANDIDATE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT IS THE STATUTE.

THAT IS THE LAW.

AND I HAVE WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS HAVE INTEGRITY.

I HAVE STOOD WITH ACLU ATTORNEYS TO MAKE SURE ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE AND I INTEND TO UPHOLD THE LAW AS WE GO FORWARD.

>> IF I CAN JUST SAY SOMETHING.

>> WE WILL KEEP MOVING, I WILL GIVE YOU PLENTY OF TIME TOWARDS THE END, TRACEY GO AHEAD.

>> MR. MOORE, THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU, WE WANT TO KNOW WHETHER YOU AGREED TO ONLY ONE IN PERSON DEBATE, THE STUDENT PAPER FROM MORGAN STATE SAID IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WES MOORE DID NOT ACCEPT OUR NUMEROUS INVITATION TOTION THE FORUM.

DAN COX HAS ACCUSED YOU OF ONING HIM, COX HANDILY WON HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO MARYLANDER WHO FEEL THAT YOU ARE SNUBBING THEIR NOMINEE?

>> I RESPOND BY SAYING THAT I AM EXCEPT-- EXCITED TO BE HERE RIGHT NOW TODAY DEBATING DAN COX.

I RESPOND BY SAYING THAT WE HAVE SPENT TIME GOING ALL OVER THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

GOING TO ALL 24 JURISDICTIONS, MEETING VOTERS WHERE THEY ARE.

THAT WE HAVE SPENT TIME AND WILL SPEND TIME ON ALL FOUR HBCU'S IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE LONG-TERM VY TALLITY OF OUR STATE.

AND TRUTHFULLY, YOU KNOW, I'M EXCITED TO SPEND TIME WITH VOTERS TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT.

AND WHILE I'M EAGER TO HAVE THIS DEBATE WITH MY O UPON ENT, THE FACT THAT EVEN GOVERNOR HOGAN SAID HE WILL NOT SUPPORT HIS CANDIDACY AND CALLED HIM UNFIT TO LEAD, I THINK SHOULD BE A CLEAR INDICATION TO VOTERS AS TO WHY I-- WHY I WANT TO SPEND MY TIME TALKING TO VOTERS INSTEAD OF JUST ON THE DEBATE STAGE CONSTANTLY.

>> AND MR. COX, IF YOU WERE TO LOSE THIS ELECTION, WOULD YOU BE A BRIDGE BUILDER?

WOULD YOU WORK TO SUPPORT THE MOORE ADMINISTRATION?

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

WE NEED TO BE TEAM PLAYERS AND I WOULD BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE FACT THAT I STOOD HERE INDICATES THAT I AM THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR WITH EXPERIENCE, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY WHO HAS SERVED IN GOVERNMENT AND WHO HAS STOOD WITH GOVERNOR HOGAN HE'S POLICIES TO LOWER TAXES, LOWER CRIME, WHILE MY OPPONENT INSTEAD HAS SOUGHT ON SALON.COM PROCLAIMED HE WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US T IS A STARK DIFFERENCE.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REASON HE WON'T DEBATE IT IS BECAUSE HE'S A PHONEY.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN HIS BOOK THAT ARE COMPLETELY FALSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOOK, HE CLAIMS HE WAS RAISED IN BALTIMORE CITY.

BUT SIR, YOU WEREN'T THERE UNTIL YOU WERE 34.

>> MR. MOORE, I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND.

>> THANK YOU, WE ARE WATCHING A PERFECT INDICATION AS TO WHY GOVERNOR HOGAN CALLED YOU UNFIT TO LEAD.

WE ARE WATCHING A PERFECT INDICATION AS TO WHY GOVERNOR HOGAN HAS SAID NOT ONLY WILL I NOT SUPPORT DELEGATE COX, I WON'T EVEN GIVE HIM A TOUR OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

FRANKLY, I'M STANDING ON STAGE RIGHT NOW WITH AN EXTREMIST ELECTION DENIER WHOSE RHETORIC AND WHOSE POLICIES ARE NOT JUST DANGEROUS AND DIVISIVE, IT WILL TAKE OUR STATE BACKWARDS, AND THE INTENTION THAT I HAVE IN THIS CAMPAIGN IS I HAVE AN INTENTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MARYLANDERS CARE ABOUT.

LIKE ENSURING WE HAVE A 21S CENTURY EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR ALL CHILDREN, EP SURING WE CAN KEEP NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, ENSURING WE CAN HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT GROWS AND CAN BENEFIT EVERYBODY.

INSTEAD OF DELVING INTO CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT MY OPPONENT CONTINUES TO THROW OUT.

>> I THINK THAT IS PREPOS TRUSS.

I NEED TO SPOND.

THERE IS OUTRAGEOUS AND RIDICULOUS, WE ARE BIGGER THAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NAME CALLING, SIR.

WE HAVE TO GET ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE.

AND I HAVE HAD LUNCH WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I HAVE TOURED THE STATE HOUSE SO I'M NOT SURE WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN.

BUT I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN ANNAPOLIS FOR FOUR YEARS FOR THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

I HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO THAT.

AND I AM RUNNING TO RESTORE OPPORTUNITY, SAFE, SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY, FREEDOM AND EDUCATION IS MY PLATFORM.

THAT IS WHAT MARYLAND WANTS.

THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AT THE DINNER TABLE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY OWN FAMILY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BRING TO ANNAPOLIS, THAT BALANCE IS NEEDED.

>> WE WILL MOVE ON NOW TO ALEXIS PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, AS YOU BOTH KNOW AMERICANS ACROSS THE NATION ARE FEELING THE EFFECTEDS OF INFLATION.

RESIDENTS OF THIS GREAT STATE FEEL THE PAIN AT THE PUMP AND IN THE GROCERY STORE AISLE.

MARYLANDERS OF EVERY RACE, EVERY CREED AND COLOR ARE MAKING TOUGH FINANCIAL DECISIONS BUT WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK MARYLANDERS, THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION ARE MAGNIFIED.

BLACK AMERICANS MAKE 71 CENT FOR EVERY WHITE DLOMPLET AND AS YOU POINTED OUT THIS YEAR, MR. MOORE, WHITE FAMILIES IN MARYLAND ON AVERAGE HAVE EIGHT TIMES THE WEALTH OF BLACK FAMILIES IN THIS GREAT STATE.

WHAT WILL YOU DO IF ELECTED GOVERNOR TO CLOSE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP, NOT JUST TALK ABOUT IT, WHAT WILL YOU ACTUALLY PUT IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THIS AND DO REPARATIONS, PLAY A PART IN YOUR PLAN AT ALL.

>> I WILL GIVE THAT TO MR. COX FIRST.

>> SO THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WITH REPARATIONS IS MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ROBBED OF THEIR BUSINESS AND THEIR WEALTH IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH AN AUTHORITY THAT MY OPPONENT SUPPORTS, AND THAT SAY LOCKDOWN AUTHORITY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BACK IN THE POSITION TO PROSPER ONCE AGAIN.

THAT'S MY PLATFORM AND PLAN.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT MY OPPONENT, HE'S TALKING ABOUT TRANSFERRING WEALTH AWAY FROM PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SKIN COLOR.

THAT IS RACIST, IT'S WRONG.

I WILL STAND AGAINST THAT AND SAY I'M A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

I'M ABOUT EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL OF MARYLAND, MAKING OPPORTUNITIES, BRIDGE LOANS, OPPORTUNITY ZONES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR, ALL OF OUR CITIZENS IN MARYLAND HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO HAVE AN EDUCATION.

I MEAN IT'S PREPOS TRUSS WHEN YOU GO TO BALTIMORE CITY AND HAVE I BEEN THERE PLAYING BALL AND TO MORGAN STATE WHEN MR. MOORE REFUSED TO ATTEND.

AND THE CRY OF EVERYONE'S HEART IS WE HAVE TO GET OUR CITY AND STATE BACK ON TRACK BOTH ECONOMYICALLY AND SAFE.

THAT'S MY PLATFORM.

MR. MOORE WANTS TO UNDERMINE THAT.

>> THE IMPACTS OF RIGGS DISPARITIES DID NOT START TWO YEARS AGO, DELEGATE COX.

WE ARE WATCHING SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM CHALLENGE THAT OUR STATE HAS GOT TO WRESTLE WITH AND ADDRESS.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE AN 8-1 RACIAL WEALTH GAP IN OUR STATE IS REAL.

IT'S NOT PRETEND.

AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE ONE GROUP IS WORKING EIGHT TIMES HARDER.

WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST IMPACTING ONE GROUP, IT IS IMPACTING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.

A RECENT REPORT SHOWED THAT THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP HAS COST THIS COUNTRY $16 TRILLION IN GDP, NOT OF A GROUP, GDP.

AND SO WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON CREATING PATHWAYS FOR WORK, WAGES AND WEALTH, HAVING AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT IS TEACHING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HOW NOT JUST TO BE EMPLOYEES BUT EMPLOYERS.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INCREASING WAGES FOR MARYLAND FAMILIES AND GETTING TO A $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND PEG IT TO INFLATION.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CREATING PATHWAYS FOR WEALTH AND THAT MEANS ADDRESSING THINGS LIKE UNAFFORDABLE HOMES.

THAT MEANS ADDRESSING THINGS LIKE UNFAIR APPRAISAL VALUES IN, THAT MEANS FIXING BROKEN PROCUREMENT LAWS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT CALL FOR 29% GOAL WITH MBE ANTICIPATION PARTICIPATION BUT WE HAVE NOT COME CLOSE TO HITTING THIS.

WE HAVE TO MOVE IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE ARE TAKING MEANINGFUL ACTION AND REPAR TIFF ACTION TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC GAPS WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> LET ME RESPOND.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO ANOTHER ONE.

>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU, FIRST TO MR. MOORE.

STUDENT TEST SCORES NATIONALLY AND IN MARYLAND ARE DOWN.

ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS TO HELP STUDENTS CATCH UP AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> THANK YOU.

AND THE ANSWER IS WE NEED TO DO MORE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN, I HAVE BEEN GOING ALL AROUND THE STATE AND TALKING TO PARENTS AND HEARING THE FRUSTRATION.

AND FRANKLY IT'S NOT JUST FRUSTRATION IN TALKING TO PARENTS.

I HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND AN 8 YEAR OLD SON MYSELF.

AND WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS RIGHT WHERE WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT ARE COMING FROM THE FEDERAL SIDE UPWARDS OF 1.9 BILLION.

THAT IS EAR-MARKED TOWARD EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTS.

AND WE'VE GOT TO ENSURE THAT THAT CAPITAL IS GOING TO THINGS LIKE AFTER SCHOOL SUPPORTS, SUMMER SUPPORTS, ADVANCED TULTERRING, THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTING THE BLUE PRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE WHICH I WAS VERY PROUD TO WORK ON.

OUR ADMINISTRATION WILL FULLY FUND.

AND IN PARTNERSHIP WE WILL PROPERLY IMPLEMENT.

AND I THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT OF MARYLAND'S TEACHERS WHO HAVE BACKED MY CAMPAIGN.

THAT WE ARE GOING TO MOVE HOLISTICICALLY TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION, AN EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE, AN EDUCATION THAT OUR COMMUNITIES NEED THEM TO GET.

>> MR. COX.

>> SO I WANT TO BEGIN BY MENTIONING THE CLARITY OF WHAT WE JUST HEARD A MINUTE AGO.

MY OPPONENT STATED ON RECORD THAT HE IS FOR REPARATIONS, THIS IS AN EXTREME AND INAPPROPRIATE -- -- INAPPROPRIATE, DIVISIVE APPROACH TO HEALING THE DIVIDES THAT WE ALL KNOW AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE HEALED THAT IS WHAT MADE IT FREDERICK DOUGLAS AND HARRIET TUBMAN GREAT, THEY SOUGHT TO USE OUR CONSTITUTION AS I HAVE BEEN DOING WITH CIVIL RIGHTS LAW TO CREATE FREEDOM FOR EVERYONE, NOT TO CREATE DIVISION THAT MY OPPONENT IS ON RECORD SAYING HE WILL ENFORCE WITH THIS REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH THROUGH REPARATIONS.

THAT IS APPALLING.

AND IT ACTUALLY REFLECTS THE EDUCATION QUESTION THAT YOU JUST ASKED BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF HIS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO GIVE US A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO READING, WRITING AND ARITHMETIC.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT STEM TECHNOLOGIES ARE WHAT OUR KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE, THAT IS PART OF MY PLATFORM.

I PLEDGE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT WORKS.

WE ARE GOING TO RESTORE WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION IN MARYLAND AND I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF THAT PLAN.

>> GOOD SEGUE TO WHERE WE ARE GOING, GENTLEMEN.

>> I'M SORRY, CAN I MAKE A QUICK NOTE.

>> TEN SECONDS I WITH HAVE TO GO.

>> MY OPPONENT WHEN ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT EDUCATION USED IT TO SAY SOMETHING THAT I DID NOT SAY.

I MEAN THIS IS PART OF HIS DANGEROUS RHETORIC.

AND THIS DIVISIVE RHETORIC THAT WILL FRANKLY MOVE OUR STATE BACKWARDS.

AND I HONOR WHAT GOVERNOR HOGAN SAID BECAUSE WHAT GOVERNOR HOGAN SAID ABOUT YOU BEING UNFIT TO BE IN THIS OFFICE, YOU ARE PUTTING ON FULL DISPLAY RIGHT NOW.

>> MR. MOORE, INSTEAD OF THE BACK AND FORTH LET'S LISTEN SOME COLLEGE SECONDS.

>> WE HAVE TWO JOURNALISM STUDENTS, BOTH FROM SALISBURY AND MORGAN STATE AS WELL.

THEY WANT TO KNOW FROM THE NEXT GOVERNOR SOME QUESTIONS FROM THEIR STANDPOINT.

THIS IS FROM SALISBURY UNIVERSITY.

>> HI, I'M BEES BEESLY THE EDITOR AND CHIEF OF SALISBURY UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER THE FLYER.

MY QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES IS HOW WILL GUN CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION INTERSECT UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION.

>> MR. COX IF YOU WANT TO GO FIRST ON THAT.

>> SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THE GUNS OFF THE STREETS THAT ARE THERE ILLEGALLY AND BEING USED ILLEGALLY FOR CRIMES.

THIS IS WHY I WAS ON THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME TASK FORCE IN MY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FIGHTING WITH MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS TO TAKE GUNS OFFER THE STREETS THAT ARE THERE ILLEGALLY AND BEING USED IN CRIMES.

MR. MOORE AND HIS TEAM, THEY ACTUALLY SUPPORTED DECRIMINALIZING MUCH OF THIS AND REFUSED, THE APPROACH, THEIR APPROACH WAS TO REFUSE THE FELONY APPROACH THAT IF YOU HAVE USED A GUN IN CRIME, THAT YOU SHOULD GO TO JAIL.

INSTEAD THEY WANT THEM TO RUN THE STREETS.

THAT IS WHY WE 1R-6 0% OF THE MURDERS IN BALTIMORE CITY RIGHT NOW BECOME UNSOLVED AND UNPROSECUTED.

THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE ON MY WATCH.

WE ARE GOING TO BRING BACK LAW AND ORDER.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING BACK THE SAFETY ON OUR STREETS THAT EVERYONE IS CRYING OUT FOR.

>> MR. MOORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE IS NO HIGHER PRIORITY FOR ANY CHIEF EXECUTIVE THAN PUBLIC SAFETY.

PEOPLE NEED TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

AND IN THEIR OWN SKIN.

AND I THINK ABOUT WHAT MY OPPONENT SAID THAT I SAID, WHICH BY THE WAY I NEVER SAID, ONCE AGAIN.

AND ALSO HOW MY OPPONENT LIKES TO SAY THAT HE BACKS THE BLUE, THE IRONY IS THE BLUE DOESN'T BACK YOU.

BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE ENDORSED OUR CAMPAIGN.

AND SO THE THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IN PARTNERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS ENSURING THAT WE CAN GET AND KEEP THESE ILLEGAL GUNS OFF OF OUR STREETS AND GET AND KEEP THESE VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFF OF OUR STREETS.

AND THERE IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE THAT THE STATE PLAYS IN THAT.

THERE IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ROLE THAT THE STATE PLAYS IN MAKING SURE WE HAVE A STRONG PAROLE AND PROBATION SYSTEM WHERE YOU CONSIDER A THIRD OF OFFEND ARES ARE IN VIOLATION OF PROBATION, RIGHT NOW IS UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERMANNED.

WE HAVE TO FIX THAT.

THAT WE CAN PUT STATE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING SUPPORTS FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS WHICH ARE CONTINUING TO SHOW IMPACTS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THE CHALLENGE ARE OFTENTIMES THE ONES CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTIONS.

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A STATE THAT IS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND ALSO WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FEDERAL COUNTERPARTS TO ENSURE WE ARE GETTING AND KEEPING ILLEGAL GUNS OUT OF OUR STREETS AND KEEPING VIOLENT OFFENDERS OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TEN SECONDS PLEASE.

>> MR. MOORE HAS LONG WORKED WITH OPEN SOCIETY AND THEY CAME INTO MY-- HAVE I A RECORD OF SERVING AND PROTECTING THE BLUE.

AND SERVING IN MY COMMITTEE TO DEFEND THEM.

BECAUSE MR. MOORE AND HIS TEAM CAME IN AND SOUGHT TO DEFUND THE POLICE IN MY COMMITTEE.

THAT WAS WITH THE OPEN SOCIETY PEOPLE.

THAT WAS WITH THE NONPROFITS THAT WANTED TO CHANGE AND REIMAGINE POLICING AGAINST THE POLICE AND AGAINST YOU AND I AS CITIZENS.

I FOUGHT THAT, WE STOPPED IT.

INSTEAD I'M GOING TO FUND THE POLICE, THAT IS WHY SHERIFFS AND OFFICERS ON DUTY SUPPORT ME, NOT JUST UNIONS, ALTHOUGH I SUPPORT THEM TOO.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE FROM DAY ONE THAT OUR STREETS ARE SAFE AGAIN.

WE WILL NEVER SAY LIKE MR. MOORE SAID, IN SALON.COM, YOU WITH GOOGLE IT AND LOOK IT UP, HE WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE AND NOT JUST HE WANTS TO INDICT THE SYSTEM.

THAT IS NOT TALK AND RHETORIC, THAT IS SAFE FOR ANY ONE OF US.

>> THIS IS WHERE WE KEEP MOVING.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, ONE MOMENT.

>> HI, MY NAME IS JANEA LAWSON, A STUDENT POLITICAL REPORTER HERE AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

MY QUESTION IS, NOW THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND HBCU'S HAVE MADE A SETTLEMENT, WHAT ARE SOME FURTHER STEPS YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD TAKE TO ASSIST THE HBCU'S IN THE AREA.

>> MR. MOORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

OUR STATE IS SO BLESSED THAT WE HAVE FOUR OF THE TOP HBCU'S IN AMERICA HERE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND NOW WE HAVE REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE HBCU'S THAT WAS NEEDED AND LONG OVERDUE BUT THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO.

ONE IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GROUNDS, WHY THE SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED IN ITS FIRST PLACE IS BEING HONORED.

THIS IS ABOUT DUPLICATION OF COURSE WORK, THIS IS ABOUT NOT GIVING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE NOT HBCU'S, THE CHALLENGES DESPITE THE SETTLEMENT BEING DONE.

PRACTICE IS STILL HAPPENS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS BEING HONORED.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT ABOUT THE INITIAL SETTLEMENT.

WHEN YOU HAVE FOUR OF THE TOP HBCU'S IN AMERICA THAT HELPS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES.

ABOUT HOW ARE WE CREATING PIPELINES IN OUR NURSING INDUSTRIES.

HOW ARE WE CREATING PIPELINES IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

HOW ARE WE CREATING PIPELINES OF ENTREPRENEURIAL GROALT AND BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON NEW INDUSTRIES, SOLAR AND WIND TECHNOLOGY, CYBERAND BIOTECH TECHNOLOGIES.

WE SHOULD BE LEVERAGING THE GENIUS OF OUR HBCU STUDENTS AND MAKING THEM A CORE PART OF MARYLAND'S GROWTH STORY.

>> MR. COX.

>> WELL, I LIKE MY OPPONENT I WENT TO THE HBCU DEBATE AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND I SPOKE WITH THE STUDENT THERE AND I WAS HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE PART OF THAT.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID THERE AND I BELIEVE FIRMLY THIS IS WHY I VOTED FOR THE SETTLEMENT.

THIS IS WHY I VOTEED FOR OUR HBCU'S TO RECEIVE EQUAL FUNDING, THAT IS WE NEED TO EXPAND PROGRAMS FOR ALL OF THEM TO HAVE THINGS LIKE TECH OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE STEUNT-- OPPORTUNITIES TO GET CERTIFICATIONS WITH THEIR DEGREES.

MOST IMPORTANTLY I WENT THROUGH COLLEGE MYSELF ON A PELL GRANT.

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW HARD IT IS TO MAKE UP THE GAP IN YOUR TUITION.

AND YET MANY TIMES HBCU'S HAVE THE FUNDING LEVELS DIFFERENTIATED THINKING THAT THEY ARE SHOW RECEIVING MORE FUNDS THAN OTHER UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SYSTEM.

BUT THAT IS JUST NOT THE CASE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE EQUALIZE NOT ONLY THE FUNDING TO THE UNIVERSITY BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT MONEY GETS TO THE STUDENT SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DROP OUTLINING UNFORTUNATELY SO MANY STUDENTS AND HBCU'S END UP DOING.

>> BACK TO YOU.

>> TURNING TO HEALTH CARE.

AS YOU BOTH KNOW ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE IS PROTECTED BY MARYLAND LAW BUT NOT BY NATIONAL LAW.

DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION AND THE MAKEUP OF CONGRESS, THERE COULD EITHER BE A PROPOSAL FOR A NATIONAL BAN ON ABORTION OR NATIONAL PROTECTION FOR ABORTION.

AS GOVERNOR WHAT WOULD BE YOUR POSITION ON NATIONAL ABORTION LEGISLATION.

AND WOULD YOU GET INVOLVED IN THAT NATIONAL DEBATE ON BEHALF OF MARYLANDERS.

DEL THE GAT COX YOU GO FIRST.

>> I AM FOCUSED ON BEING THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.

I WOULD MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WORKED ON IN MARYLAND REFLECTNESS THE INTERESTS AND VALUES OF THE PEOPLE.

MI PROLIFE, I AM VERY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED WITH MY WIFE TO HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS SON.

THAT IS WHY I FOUGHT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR ITS DOWNS SIN DROOM PROTECTION ACT.

NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE, THAT WOMEN, CHILDREN AND THE UNBORN ALL HAVE EQUAL PROTECTION AND ARE SUPPORTED BY OUR LAWS.

AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NATIONAL DEBATE, IT'S TURNED BACK TO THE STATES.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST LIBERAL ABORTION LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND I THINK THAT AS GOVERNOR THERE IS VERY LITTLE THAT CAN I DO TO OVERRIDE THAT OR CHANGE IT.

SO THE IDEA THAT HAS COME FROM MY OPPONENT THAT I AM SHOW DANGEROUS TO WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE IS PREPOND RUSS, IT'S FALSE, IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

>> MR. MOORE, YOUR OPINION ON NATIONAL ABORTION LEGISLATION.

>> I BELIEVE ABORTION IS HEALTH CARE.

AND I FULLY TRUST WOMEN TO MAKE THIS DECISION WITH THEIR DOCTORS.

I WANT MARYLAND TO BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS.

AND I BACKED LAST FALL FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AND IF I BECOME THE GOVERNOR, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I WILL BACK IT AGAIN.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT JUST A NATIONAL ISSUE, THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR MAINDERS' WOMEN, WHO WANT THEIR HEALTH CARE TO BE PROTECTED.

AND WHEN THE SUPREME COURT MADE THE DECISION TO ROB MILLIONS OF WOMEN OF HEALTH CARE, MY OPPONENT THEN THE SAME DAY PRAISED THE SUPREME QUOWRT AND PRAISED DONALD TRUMP.

SO MY OPPONENT IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHERE HE STANDS ON HEALTH CARE.

HE IS VERY CLEAR ON THE FACT THAT HE WOULD CRIMINALIZE ABORTION EVEN IF THE CASE OF INCEST AND RAPE.

HE IS VERY CLEAR ON WHERE HE IS ON ABORTION CARE.

THAT HE SAYS THAT EVEN IN THE CASE WHERE THE MOTHER'S LIFE IS IN RISK, THAT HE WOULD EITHER FORCE THE MOTHER TO HAVE THE CHILD OR ARREST HER.

IS HE VERY CLEAR.

AND WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.

ABORTION IS HEALTH CARE.

>> DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND.

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ABORTION LEGISLATION, THE PROLIFE BILLS I HAVE PUT IN TO THE LEGISLATURE WHERE I HAVE TO WORK ON THIS ACROSS ITS AISLE WITH MY COLLEAGUES, I HAVE HAD THE THREE EXCEPTIONS IN THE LAW.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS A LEGAL PROCESS THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.

AND THIS WHOLE STATING OF CRIMINALIZATION, ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

THAT IS A PREPOS TRUSS ACCUSATION.

IT IS DEMEANING T IS WRONG, IT IS DEMEANING TO WOMEN TO THE FIVE WOMEN IN MY HOUSEHOLD.

AND I TELL YOU THIS JUST DEMONSTRATES THAT YOU CANNOT TRUST WHAT COMES OUT OF MY OPPONENTS MOUTH.

I WILL SAY THIS, I WILL DEFEND UNBORN LIFE BUT NOT TAKE-- THIS IS WHY I AM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

NOT TAKE INTO MY POWER SOMETHING THAT IS NOPT CONSTITUTIONAL.

WHEN YOU HEAR MY OPPONENT SAYING THAT HE IS GOING TO FORCE INTO THE CONSTITUTION A PROTECTION ALL THE WAY THROUGH NOT ONLY THE THIRD TRIMESTER BUT THE THIRD-- YOU KNOW,-- ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE THIRD TRIMESTER, THAT IS HIS APPROACH.

AND IT IS WRONG.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING TO THINK THAT THAT IS THE POSITION OF MY OPPONENT.

IT IS EXTREME.

AND I WILL INSTEAD FOLLOW THE LAW.

>> WITH A DIRECT ATTACK I WILL LET YOU RESPOND IF YOU LIKE OR MOVE ON.

>> NO, THE STATE OF MARYLAND SHOULD NEVER STAND BETWEEN THE DIFFICULT DECISION THAT A WOMAN HAS TO MAKE WITH HER DOCTOR ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION BEING HEALTH CARE, I TRUST WOMEN TO MAKE THIS DECISION WITH THEIR DOCTORS.

NOT POLITICIANS AND JIJS.

THERE IS A DEEPLY PERSONAL AND IMPORTANT THING FOR MARYLAND WOMEN AND FRARCHGLY ALL MARYLANDERS TO BE ABLE TO EMBRACE.

AND ONCE AGAIN WHILE I THINK MY OPPONENTS, BOTH HIS ACTIONS AND DEEDS, BOTH HISTORIC AND PRESENT, THEY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

I WANT TO BE VERY, VERY CLEAR.

IN A MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION, WE WILL PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IN A MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT MARYLAND IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR ABORTION CARE.

ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN, WE'LL MOVE ON QUICKLY.

>> I WANT TO RESPOND.

>> WE WILL KEEP MOVING AND GET TO THIS NEXT QUESTION WITH TRACY.

>> SO STICKING WITH THE TOPIC OF HEALTH CARE AND WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH MR. COX.

YOU WERE OPPOSED TO GOVERNMENT MANDATES OF VACCINES AGAINST COVID A POTENTIALLY DEADLY VIRUS.

YOU CITE THAT AS WHY YOU RAN FOR DELEGATE.

BUT YOU SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT TELLING WOMEN WHEN THEY CAN AND CANNOT PRACTICE THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

YOU HAVE SUPPORTED 14 BILLS RESTRICTING OR ROLLING BACK ABORTION ACCESS AS A DELEGATE.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO FORCE OVERSIGHT WHEN YOU DON'T WANT OVERSIGHT OF YOUR OWN BODY.

>> THAT IS A VERY LOADED QUESTION THAT IS CERTAINLY DEMONSTRATING BIAS BECAUSE THAT IS NOT MY POSITION AT ALL.

I THINK IT IS REALLY OBNOXIOUS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO TAKE PO TETION-- POSSESSION OF OUR BODIES AGAINST THE LAW, THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR THE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL AND HER DOCTOR OR HIS DOCTOR.

AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS TRAMPLED ON THE LAST TWO YEARS.

SO I STOOD FIRMLY IN SAYING I'M FOR VACCINES, PERSONAL CHOICES FOR THAT.

BUT I'M OPPOSED TO VACCINE PASSPORTS.

AND THAT IS WHAT MY OPPONENT EMBRACES.

YOU COULDN'T EVEN GO TO SOME OF HIS EVENTS WITHOUT DEMONSTRATING THAT YOU HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE.

THAT IS NOT THE DIRECTION OF OUR STATE, IT IS NOT AMERICA.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THEIR CHOICES IN THESE DECISIONS AND AS TO THE BILLS, LIKE I SAID, THE BILLS THAT I HAVE SUPPORTED HAVE HAD EXCEPTIONS.

THEY HAVE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE WOMEN ARE SAFE, WHICH MAKING SURE WOMEN ARE SAFE, IN THEIR PROCEDURES AND IN THEIR AMBULATORY CLINICS.

MAKING SURE THAT LITTLE CHILDREN LIKE DOWN SYNDROME ARE NOT TARGETED JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR BEING DISABLED.

THAT IS THE FUTURE OF ABORTION.

MY OPPONENT IS EXTREME ON THIS ISSUE.

HE RIGHT NOW WILL SUPPORT AND SIGN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND I BELIEVE, SIR, THAT YOU WOULD SIGN THE BILL THAT WOULD ALSO DENY CARE AFTER BIRTH TO SOMEONE WHO SURVIVED AN ABORTION.

THAT IS EXTREME.

MY APPROACH IS MORE MAINSTREAM.

>> MR. COX, IF YOU COULD JUST PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO ONE'S BODY.

AND WHY WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINES YOUR FEELING IS THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT THERE BUT FOR ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE THERE SHOULD BE.

>> THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT FORCING ANYBODY ABOUT ABORTION.

THE GOVERNMENT IS FORCING INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE A VACCINE OR LOSE THEIR JOBS.

THIS ISN'T RIGHT.

EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINE, I APPLAUD THEM.

BUT EVEN THEY AGREE IN A MAJORITY THAT THOSE WHO CANNOT, WHETHER FOR DISABILITY OR RELIGE US PURPOSES SHOULD NOT LOSE THEIR JOB OVER THIS.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THAT ISSUE.

>> MR. MOORE, IS THERE ANY PART OF MARYLAND'S ABORTION ACCESS LAWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE EXPANDED OR LIMITED?

>> SO I FIRST RESPOND TO THE VACCINE QUESTION.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD A MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY LOOK TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR HOGAN FOR HIS HANDLING OF IT.

WE HAD A MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO SOUGHT TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR HOGAN BECAUSE HE CHOSE TO LISTEN TO THE SCIENCE, TO LISTEN TO THE NIH, TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER.

THAT MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS DAN COX.

AND BY THE WAY, HE STOOD ALONE.

EVEN HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES DID NOT BACK THAT.

SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN A MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION, WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO DOCTORS, AND MEDICAL EXPERTS.

AND NOT IDEA LOLL-- IDEA LOGS, WE'RE GOING TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL KEEP THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND FIRST AND FOREMOST IN ALL OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK ACROSS THE STATE, ACROSS THE AISLE, AND WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS IN ORDER TO HELP US MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT WITHIN MARYLAND'S ABORTION LAWS WOULD YOU EXPAND AND/OR LIMIT, MR. MOORE.

>> YES, PLEASE.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ABORTION BEING HEALTH CARE, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHAT IT IS AND WHO IT IS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LATE-TERM ABORTIONS, 99% OF ABORTIONS ARE NOT LATE-TERM ABORTIONS.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRULY LATE-TERM ABORTIONS T IS USUALLY BECAUSE THERE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

IT IS USUALLY BECAUSE THAT FAMILY IS ABOUT TO MAKE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISIONS OF THEIR LIFE.

IT IS BECAUSE THAT FAMILY HAS NOW RECEIVED NEWS, CHANCES ARE UNEXPECTED NEWS, THAT NO PARENT WOULD EVER WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE AND NO PERSON WOULD EVER WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE.

AND SO I TRUST WOMEN TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP, IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR DOCTORS.

AND DO I NOT BELIEVE THAT LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS AND JUDGES SHOULD BE GETTING IN THE WAY OF THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

>> BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT WHAT MY OPPONENT BELIEVES.

BECAUSE HE STOOD HERE JUST NOW SAYING THAT HE WOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE FORCED TO TAKE AN EXPERIMENTAL EAU-AUTHORIZED VACCINE.

THAT IS NOT THE APPROACH OF PREE-- FREEDOM.

AND AT PROACH WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO IS LET'S LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

THAT IS MY APPROACH.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO SAFETY, MAKING SURE WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

MAKING SURE WE HAVE FREEDOM TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS AND MAKE SURE OUR EDUCATION IS WORLD-CLASS AGAIN.

UNFORTUNATELY MY OPPONENT STANDS RIGHT HERE AND SAYS THAT HE CAN MAKE YOUR DECISIONS BETTER THAN YOU ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND THAT IS WRONG.

>> I FIND THAT THE USAGE OF THE WORD FREEDOM TO BE AMAZING RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT FREEDOM.

BUT NOT THE FREEDOM OF A WOMAN OR GIRL WHO POTENTIALLY WOULD HAVE TO CARRY THEIR RAPIST' CHILD.

WE TALK ABOUT FREEDOMS.

BUT HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE ABILITY TO CRIMINALIZE ABORTIONS FOR BOTH PATIENTS AND THE PROVIDERS.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT FREEDOMS, LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE CONSISTENT IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU MEAN BY FREEDOM SIR.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> ALEXIS, YOU ARE UP.

>> THIS WILL GO TO MR. MOORE FIRST.

LEGAL MARIJUANA IS A BIG BUSINESS HERE IN MARYLAND RESIDENTS VTION A PLETHORA OF DISPENSARIES TO CHOOSE FROM BUT AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THOSE DISPENSARIES ARE OWNED BY MARYLANDERS WHO DO NOT IDENTIFY AS PERSONS OF COLOR.

WE KNOW THAT BLACK MARYLANDERS HAVE BOTHER THE BRUNT OF LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS FOR ILLEGAL MARIJUANA USE.

NOW THAT THE TIDE IS CHANGING, DO YOU THINK IT'S FAIR TO LEAVE BLACK ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE QUALIFIED OUT OF THIS BUSINESS THAT MADE 600 MILLION LAST YEAR IN THIS STATE ALONE?

DO YOU THINK THERE IS AN EQUITY PROBLEM AND WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ADDRESS IT WHEN IT COMES TO LEGAL MARIJUANA?

>> THANK YOU.

AND IT IS A PROBLEM.

AND IT WILL BE FIXED AND RECTIFIED IN A MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE STATE VOTES TO, ON QUESTION FOUR, AND THAT IN OUR ADMINISTRATION WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THIS ROLLOUT IS GOING TO BE FAIR AND IT IS GOING TO BE EQUITABLE.

AND THAT MEANS USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK CLEARLY ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO GO ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF POSITIONING LICENSES.

HOW ARE WE THINK BEING NOT JUST EVERYTHING FROM THE GROWERS AND MANUFACTURERS AND THE PARAPHERNALIA PROVIDERS, BUT TRULY USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ADDRESS THE WEALTH GAP THAT EXISTS WITHIN OUR SOCIETY.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT JUST GOING TO BE ABOUT THAT.

THAT WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF LEGALIZATION.

WE ARE ARE ALSO NOT DEALING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINALIZATION.

AND WHERE WE HAVE SEEN INSIDE OF COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES AND PARTICULARLY BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMED.

THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THINGS LIKE AUCTION RECORD EXPUNGMENT FOR THOSE THAT HAVE CANNABIS CONVICTIONS.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THINGS LIKE BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE PARDONING OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOW A BURGEONING INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO GET THIS RIGHT.

AND IN OUR ADMINISTRATION BOTH ON THE ECONOMIC EQUITY BUT ALSO ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS GOING TO BE A SCEER PRIORITY.

>> MR. COX.

>> OUR LAWS SHOULDN'TK BASED UPON SOCIAL JUSTICE REIMAGINING OF MY OPPONENT.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO FAIRNESS AND EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW.

EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED EQUAL, THAT IS WHY I DO SUPPORT MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE CRIMINALIZED FOR SMALL POSITIONS ARE NO LONGER CRIMINALIZED.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PATH FOR PEOPLE TO REESTABLISH THEMSELVES SO THEY DON'T LOSE THEIR JOB OVER SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE AND IN FACT IN MY COMMITTEE WORK TO DECRIMINALIZE A FEW PLANTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE APPRECIATED THE EFFECTS, EVEN OUR VETERANS WITH PTSD.

SO BUT THAT'S NOT THE SAME ISSUE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.

WE NEED TO HAVE A REGULATORY APPROACH AND I PLEDGE TO MARYLAND TO WORK WITH OUR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY W OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WITH ALL SECTORS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS APPROPRIATE TESTING TO MAKE SURE THERE IS SAFETY ON THE JOB.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE WALK DOWN THE STREET THAT PEOPLE KNOW THE RULES.

>> GOVERNOR HOW LONGAN HAS-- HOGAN HAS GOTTEN NAME CHECKED A LOT IN THIS DEBATE SO FAR.

A QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU.

GIVE US AN EXACT FINAL GRADE FOR EIGHT YEARS OF LARRY HOGAN AS GOVERNOR.

AND IF YOU WOULD, NAME A POLICY OF HIS THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE OR SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD BE ANXIOUS TO CHANGE.

>> MR. MOORE G AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU, WELL, YOU KNOW, I APPLAUD THE ABOVER IN FOR BEING SO EARLY AND FULL THROATED ABOUT THE DANGER OF THIS MAGA MOVEMENT.

I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR CALLING IT OUT EARLY FOR WHAT IT IS.

THAT THIS IS A-- THAT THIS IS A DANGER TO THE BASIC VALUES OF DEMOCRACY.

AND I'M THANKFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS COME OUT IN VERY EARLY SAID THAT HE WILL NOT SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE DESPITE THAT BEING THE NOMINEE OF HIS PARTY.

BUT THE THING I KNOW ABOUT THIS, WHEN IT COMES TO WHERE WE ARE AS A STATE, WE'VE GOT TO MOVE FASTER.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HAVE TRUE MEASUREMENTS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHIN OUR STATE.

AND THAT MEANS BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON HELPING TO REDUCE THE REGULATORY RED TAPE FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN FIX BROKEN PROCUREMENT LAWS TO INCREASE LIQUIDITY, TO OUR SMALL AND MICROBUSINESSES.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING OUR REAL FOCUS ON MBE AND WBE'S.

BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC AND ALSO I HAD KAITIONAL SUPPORTS, JOB RETRAINING, JOB RESKILLING, FOCUSING ON APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND TRADE PROGRAMS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND WE HAVE TWO AVAILABLE JOBS FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, BECAUSE WE HAVE A DISCONNECT WHEN IT COMES TO SKILL SETS AND THE SKILLS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR MARYLAND'S GROWING AND DIVERSE ECONOMY.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON IT.

>> FINAL GRADE, A, B, C, D OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> IS HE NOT DONE YET SO IT IS INCOMPLETE.

>> MR. COX.

>> I GIVE GOVERNOR HOGAN AN A ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WE'VE HAD ON THE HANDLING OF COVID.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS, HAVE I STOOD WITH GOVERNOR HOGAN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICE ARE PROTECTED AND BACKED.

MY OPPONENT WOULD LIKE TO DEFUND THE POLICE AND ACTUAL LeHAD PEOPLE IN MY COMMITTEE ON HIS TEAM DOING JUST THAT.

AND I FOUGHT AGAINST IT AND WILL TAKE US BACK TO THE YEARS BEFORE GOVERNOR HOGAN WHO STOOD AGAINST THE TAXES, THAT WE SAW, 42 TAX INCREASES BACK THEN.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE TAX INCREASES LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

THE TOLLS ARE GOING TO RISE IF MR. MOORE'S GOVERNOR.

I WILL STAND AGAINST THAT BECAUSE I DID T I PROVED IT, HAVE I ALREADY DONE THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HAVE I STOOD WITH THE GOVERNOR ON ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

AND I HAVE ALSO STOOD WITH THE GOVERNOR ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT MR. MOORE'S POLICIES, IS HE ABOUT CENTRALIZING EDUCATION, IS HE ABOUT INDOCTRINATION ON HIS WEBSITE FROM THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S NOT THE APPROACH OF MARYLAND.

WE NEED TO PUT MARNDS BACK IN CHARGE.

THAT IS WHAT I PLEDGE TO DO AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

THERE IS NOTHING IN MY PLAN THAT CALLS FOR RAISING OF TAXES, NOTHING.

NOT A WORD.

SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND ABOUT WHAT IS FACT AND WHAT IS FICTION.

NOW THE THING THAT I DO KNOW IS MY OPPONENT'S ECONOMIC PLAN THAT HE HAS PUT OUT THERE, WOULD LITERALLY DE FUND THE POLICE, DEFUND EDUCATION AND BANKRUPT THE STATE.

LITERALLY.

AND I DON'T SAY THAT, THAT IS NOT A IDEALOGICAL POSITION, THAT IS MATH.

WHEN ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE THINGS THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON AND OUR ECONOMIC PLAN, WE'RE FOCUSING ON GROWTH.

BECAUSE WE NEED FOR OUR ECONOMY TO GROW.

AND WE THEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HIGHER LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION IN OUR ECONOMY.

AND THAT MEANS THINGS LIKE FIXING A BROKEN CHILD CARE SYSTEM BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'VE HAD OVER 750 CHILD CARE CENTERS CLOSE SINCE THE START OF COVID, OFTENTIMES THEY ARE FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS AND NEVER TREATED AS SUCH, WE HAVE TO GET PARENTS, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG CHILDREN BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE T MEANS FOCUSING ON JOB KRE SKILLING, JOB RETRAINING N MY OPINION WE SWUNG THE PENDULUM FAR TOO MUCH ON ONE DIRECTIONS WHEN WE WILL EVALUATED COLLEGES IN FOURIER ACCEPT RATES, THAT IS KNOT THE PATH FOR EVERYONE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE GET MORE PEOPLE ABLE TO PEACH IN THE NEW ECONOMY N MARYLAND'S NEW ECONOMY.

>> MY ECONOMIC PLAN WILL NOT DEFUND THE POLICE.

I FOUGHT FOR FOUR YEARS TO SUPPORT THE POLICE AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE FUNDING THEY NEED.

AND I STOOD WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THIS ISSUE.

MY OPPONENT IS ON RECORD SALON.COM SAYING HE WILL DEFUND THE POLICE BECAUSE OF 400 YEARS OF SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION.

THAT IS LUDICRIS STRKS EXTREME.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE OUR ECONOMY WORKS AND I TAKE EXCEPTION TO THE FACT-- MY OPPONENTS PLAN SAYS HE WILL NOT RAISE TAXES, IT IS ALL ABOUT SPENDING, WE ARE 44th IN THE NATION FOR INCOME TAX, WE HAVE TO LOWER THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE WORST SITUATION FOR SENIOR TAXES, WE HAVE TO LOWER SENIOR TAXES AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INCOME TAX OF OUR BUSINESSES, DELAWARE DOES IT BETTER, 5.5 PERCENT TAX RATE FOR BUSINESSES.

MARYLAND IS AT 8.25 PERCENT T ST NO WONDER JOBS AREN'T FLOURISHING HERE AND NO WONDER WE DON'T HAVE THE TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES WE NEED TO HAVE.

I WILL TURN THAT AROUND AND SAY LET'S KEEP MARYLAND OPEN FOR BUSINESS, LET'S LOWER OUR TAXES, NOT JUST PRETEND THAT ARE YOU NOT GOING TO RAISE THEM BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU INCREASE SPENDING LIKE MY OPPONENT'S PLAN INCLUDES, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TAXES COME TO ROOST VERY SOON.

I WILL STAND AGAINST THAT JUST AS GOVERNOR HOGAN HAS DONE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO TO PAMELA NOW.

>> THANK YOU.

SHIFTING TOPICS.

YESTERDAY AS YOU MAY KNOW WAS NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY AND IN AMERICA WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN EMBRACING AND ACCEPTING PEOPLE WHO ARE LGBTQ PLUS.

MY QUESTION IS ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE KNOW THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ FACE A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THESE CHILDREN ARE BEING ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOING A GOOD ENOUGH JOB EDUCATING THE WHOLE STUDENT BODY ABOUT LGBTQ ISSUES.

THE QUESTION GOES FIRST TO DELEGATE COX.

>> WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH BECAUSE IT MANY TIMES WE EXCLUDE THE PATIENTS PATIENTS FROM INVOLVEMENT.

I FOUGHT AGAINST A BILL THAT WOULD LITERALLY A WHILEA LAW-- WITHOUT THEIR PARENTSES EVEN KNOWING.

WE KNEAD TO MAKE SURE PARENTS ARE INVOLVED BECAUSE THE DATA SHOWS THAT WHEN PARENTSES ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES, ALL OF THE CONCERNS WHETHER IT BE EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL LOGICAL OR PHYSICAL CONCERNS ARE SO MUCH BETTER HANDLED.

AND THAT IS WHAT I PLEDGE TO DO AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR.

WHAT I WILL DO ALSO IS ENSURE THAT THE INDOCTRINATION STOPS.

WE CANNOT HAVE TRANSGENDER INDOCTRINATION IN KINDERGARTEN.

THAT IS PREPOS TRUSS, THAT IS WHAT MY OPPONENT SUPPORT T IS ON HIS WEBSITE, HE WILL STAND AGAINST THAT AND ERADICATE THAT IN THE CURRICULUM AND GET BACK TO WORLD-CLASS LEARNING, MAKING SURE IT IS ABOUT STEM TECHNOLOGY, READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC, SO OUR KIDS CAN LEARN THE WAY GOD INTENDED THEM TO LEARN, BECAUSE WHY, EVERY PERSON IS MADE, EVERY PERSON HAS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD TO HAVE UNALIENABLE RIGHTS WE PROTECT AND WE CAN'T DO THAT WHEN HE EXCLUDE PARENTS.

>> DELEGATE COX, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY INDOCTRINATION, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS GOING ON IN KINDER GAFORT ENTHAT IS HARMFUL TO CHILDREN.

>> LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS BEING PUBLISHED RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS INSTRUCTIONS ON-- BOOKS LITERALLY IN THE SCHOOLS AT THIS MOMENT IN MARYLAND CALLED GENDER QUEER.

WHICH DEPICT THINGS THAT CAN I NOT SHOW YOU ON TELEVISION T IS SO DISGUSTING.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THAT AND SAY LET'S GET BACK TO MATH.

LET'S GET BACK TO MAKING SURE OUR KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ AND WRITE.

RIGHT NOW IN BALTIMORE CITY, FOR INSTANCE, 7 PERCENT PASSIONAGE RATE IN SOME OF THE SCHOOLS, THESE SCHOOLS NEED OUR HELP, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE $2 BILLION THAT WENT INTO BALTIMORE CITY LAST YEAR, THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY GETTING TO THE CLASSROOM, TO THE TEACHERS AND TO THE STUDENTS WRCHG MR. MOOR WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE PUBLIC SCHOOL SHOULD BE DOING TO SUPPORT AND EDUCATE LGBTQ STUDENTS.

>> MANY OF THE ISSUES WE ARE DISCUSSING ARE BEING ADDRESSED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE A PARTNER THIS THAT.

BUT WE DOBTS DICTATED TO THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AS TOO HOW THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROCESSES WORK.

THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I DO THINK IT IS PORNTS FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THOUGH.

I HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.

AND AN 8 YEAR OLD SON.

ALL I EVER WANT FOR MY CHILDREN IS FOR THEM TO BE SEEN.

AND FOR THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BEING HER.

AND I WANT THE SAME THING FOR EVERY CHILD-- FOR BEING HEARD, AND I WANT THE SAME FOR EVERY CHILD THERE IS A STAT THAT STICKS WITH ME AS WELL.

IT IS LOOKING AT THE ACCELERATED YOUTH HOMELESSNESS RATE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH IN OUR STATE IT IS LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT TRANSCHILDREN OR TRANSINDIVIDUALS, 80% OF TRANSINDIVIDUALS HAVE CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE.

I WANT TO SAY TO ALL OF OUR LGBTQ YOUTH AND FAMILIES, I SEE YOU.

AND I HEAR YOU.

AND ALL POLICIES THAT WILL BE MADE WILL BE MADE IN PARTNERSHIP BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE HAVE TO LEAD AS A STATE, IN PARTNERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU.

TRACEY.

>> IF I MAY RESPOND BRIEFLY.

I HAVE CHILDREN ALSO, AS YOU KNOW, I AM VERY BLESSED, MY WIFE AND I.

AND WE BELIEVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN ANY CHILD IS STRUGGLING AS MY OPPONENT IDENTIFIED, YOU CANNOT CUT THE PARENT OUT OF THAT DISCUSSION.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MY OPPONENT PLANS TO DO.

BECAUSE THAT IS THE POLICY RIGHT NOW UNDER THIS NEW APPROACH THAT I HAVE OPPOSED.

AND THAT IS WRONG.

WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO MAKING SURE PARENTS ARE INVOLVED.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH MY SON OR DAUGHTER THAT THEY KNOW DAD IS ALWAYS IN THE MIX FOR THEM.

>> MR. COX-- WE WILL GO AHEAD TO TRACEY.

>> SORRY, CAN I PLEASE JUST SAY ONE THING.

I AM VERY INVOLVED WITH MY CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

AND I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION, DO YOU KNOW WHO ALSO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION.

THEIR EDUCATORS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME GOAL.

IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CHILDREN ARE PREPARED FOR ITS WORLD THAT THEY ARE GOING TO INHERIT.

AND WE WANT THE SAME THING FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.

AND EDUCATOR PARTICIPATION IS NOT INDOCTRINATION, THIS SAY PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN PARENTS AND EDUCATORS.

>> GENTLEMEN, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE TRACEY THE FLOOR.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SWITCH THE CONVERSATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THERE WAS A FEDERAL LAWSUIT FILED YESTERDAY BY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO TRY AND PROHIBBITY THE WIDENING OF I-270 AND PART OF THE CAPITAL BELTWAY WITH TOLL LANES AS PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR HOGAN.

THE SUIT CLAIMS THE EXPANSION PROMOTEDS AUTO DEPENDENCY AND EXACERBATE CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON TRANSPORTATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE STATE.

WE CAN START WITH MR. COX.

>> THANK YOU, I HAVE A STRONG ADD COULD-- ADVOCATE, EVERY YEAR I HAVE RUN FOR OFFICE HAVE I ADVOCATED TO ENSURE TRANSPORTATION WORKS SO WE HAVE FAMILIES GETTING HOME TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET HOME TO DINNER.

I STED OF SITTING IN WHAT WE CALL A PARKING LOT IN MY DISTRICT OF 270.

THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

IT ACTUALLY HURTS THE ENVIRONMENT TO SIT THERE.

AND TO HAVE THE CAR IDLING SO MUCH.

SO I SUPPORT WIDENING I-270.

.ING FUNDS FOR BRIDGES AND SECURING TRANSPORTATION.

THAT IS WHY I WILL LOOK TO THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO THAT.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THESE PROJECTS DONE.

MY OPPONENT WANTS TO BAN GASOLINE CARS.

HIS RESPONSE IS TO FORCE US ALL INTO SOME KIND OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

THAT IS THE MOORE-MILLER APPROACH BECAUSE HIS RUNNING MATE, ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT COSPONSORED THE LEGISLATION.

SO I WILL NOT SUPPORT THAT.

I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN ENSURING ALL OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS ARE THERE.

AND I WILL SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION AS WE NEED TO IMPROVE IT AND MAKE SURE IT WORKS FOR EVERY MARYLANDER.

>> MR. MOORE.

>> I WILL ONCE AGAIN START WITH THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ASSETS, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS LIKE ADDRESSING THE DEEP CONGESTION THAT SITS ON 270 AND THE BELTWAY T IS PSYCHOLOGICALLY, ECONOMICICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF CONGESTION.

SO WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT ALONG WITH MAKING SURE WE ARE FIXING THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE OVER THIS NEXT DECADE STUFNLT SAFE.

ALONG WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET THE RED LINE DONE IN BALTIMORE.

BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC VITALITY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE EAST WEST TRANSIT.

BUT THERE ARE THREE LENSES THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE ECONOMIC PROJECT.

ONE IS THROUGH THE LENS OF EQUITY.

MAKING SURE WE ARE UNDERSTANDING WHO IS BUILDING IT AND WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM IT THE SECOND IS THE ENVIRONMENT, MAKING SURE THE TRANSPORTATION ASSETS WE ARE PULLING TOGETHER ARE ACTUALLY NOT ONLY NOT HURTING THE ENVIRONMENT BUT ACTUALLY USING TRANSPORTATION ASSETS TO HELP IT AND THE THIRD PIECE IS MAKING SURE THERE IS LOCAL INVOLVEMENT AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT.

WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CONGESTION BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING IT IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND WAY AND THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE BEING ABLE TO ADD THE LECH KAITION OF THE GRID FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE, ADDING MASS TRANSIT OPTIONS, THIS IS MARYLAND'S TIME TO LEAD, WE HAVE UNIQUE RESOURCES TO DO SO AND THAT IS WHAT MARYLAND WILL DO.

>> ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE WE GET INTO YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> LAST QUESTION, GENTLEMEN.

IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO THE SEAT OF GOVERNOR FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES AND SPECIFICALLY DISPARITIES IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY PLACED NEXT TO HIGHWAYS, NEXT TO POWER PLANTS AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS THAT HAVE MORE POLLUTION.

>> THANK YOU.

LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

THAT IS THE MANTRA, THAT IS THE AGENDA THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FOR OUR NOT JUST CAMPAIGN BUT FOR OUR ADMINISTRATION.

THAT EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY MUST BE SEEN AND HEARD IN CONVERSATIONS AND THE TRUTH IS FOR MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE SAID TO ME OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, WE DON'T FEEL SEEN, WE DON'T FEEL HEARD BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE REALITY IS FOR MANY OF YOU, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN.

THAT THERE SAY REALITY OF, FOR EXAMPLE, IN BALTIMORE, THAT CHILDREN IN BALTIMORE HAVE DOUBLE THE ASTHMA RATE OF THE REST OF THIS STATE.

THERE SAY REALITY THAT IN THE EASTERN SHORE BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, THAT WE HAVE LITERALLY A QUARTER OF THE EASTERN SHORE THAT IN THE NEXT 50 YEARS IS IN DANGER OF FLOODING FOR ITS BUSINESSES AND HOMES.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE STARTING WITH A CORE FOCUS ON BUILDING OUT EQUITABLE FRAMEWORKS IN THE WAY THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RED ADDRESSING THE HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE THE NEGOTIATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND MAKING SURE WE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR SENIORS TO AGE IN PLACE AND AGE IF DIGNITY AND ALSO ENSURING THAT WE CAN HAVE AN ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALTH-CARE COVERAGE FOR EVERY SINGLE MARYLANDER.

>> JERKS I WANT TO GET YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS IN, I WILL LET YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION AND THEN WE WILL KEEP MOVING.

>> I WILL START BY FIRST OF ALL POINTING OUT THAT MY OPPONENT IS JUST TO BE ABLE TO REBUT THE STATEMENT ABOUT GASOLINE CARS.

IS HE ON BOARD WITH AND HE EVEN SAID IT, CHANGING THE ELECTRIC GRID TO ALLOW FOR ELECTRIC CARS T IS NOT JUST THE ALLOWANCE OF IT IT, WE HAVE A 2035 PLAN THAT HE SUPPORTS TO TIE US WITH CALIFORNIA WHICH HAS A PLAN TO BAN GASOLINE CARS, THAT IS A PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

AN WHEN MY OPPONENT SAYS HE WANTS TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND, WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, AS A C.E.O.

OF ROBINHOOD, A NONPROFIT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP THE POOR, HE LEFT BALTIMORE BEHIND WHILE HE WAS MAKING MILLIONS.

AND HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN A $3 MILLION HOME WHILE HE LEAVES BALTIMORE AND THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CLOSE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CLOSING STATEMENT, I WILL STOP YOU NOW.

>> I WAS GOING TO WRAP IT UP, I HAVE 16 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK.

>> IT IS TICKING AWAY, CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> WELL, THAT WAS ACTUALLY MY TIME, BUT FOR THE QUESTION.

>> OKAY.

>> BUT I WOULD OBJECT JECT TO SAYING THAT THAT IS MY CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> NO, SIR.

>> THE HEALTH DISPARITIES ARE CLEAR, I'M A MEDICAID SUPPORTER, I WILL PROVIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS, WE WILL WORK TO EXPAND THE HEALTH CARE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MR. MOORE, CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> WE SPENT THE LAST HOUR, HEARING HOW-- WITH WITHNESS IF I COULD OBJECT COMPANIES DANGEROUS AND DIVISIVE.

>> I WAS TOLD I HAD.

>> I TOLD I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO FIRST BECAUSE HE WENT FIRST, THAT IS ALL, THAT WAS THE RULES.

>> MR. COX, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST, GO RIGHT AHEAD.

>> PLEASE, GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, IF I EARN YOUR SLOARKTS AND I AM HERE TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

MI GOING ONCE AGAIN MAKE MARYLAND SAFE-- WE ARE DEALING WITH SOME OF THE WORST-- MY OPPONENT WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE, HE WANTS TO QUOTE INDICT THE SYSTEM, I WILL STAND AGAINST THAT FOR YOU.

I WILL BE THE ONLY BALANCE POSSIBLE BECAUSE AT ONE PARTY RULE IS NOT THE FUTURE OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SAFETY, FOR AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING.

I WILL LOWER PROPERTY TAX, ASSESSMENT VALUATIONS SO WE CAN CUT THOSE RENTS AND CUT THOSE TAXATION, I WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE FREEDOM ONCE AGAIN WHERE YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH CARE WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

AND EDUCATION MUST BE WORLD-CLASS.

WE ARE GOING TO END THE INDOCTRINATION, END THE POLITICALIZATION OF OUR CLASSROOMS, MAKE SURE TEACHERS ARE EMPOWERED AND PARENTS ARE BACK IN CHARGE.

I AM HUMLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, YOU CAN GO TO COX FOR FREEDOM.COM AND SIGN UP TO HELP.

>> MR. MOORE.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST HOUR HEARING ABOUT HOW MY OPPONENT IS DANGEROUS AND DIVISIVE VIEWS WOULD RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS AND HIS ECONOMIC PLAN WAS MOVE MARYLAND BACKWARDS.

SO YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON POLICIES.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VALUES.

MY OPPONENT LIKES TO THROW AROUND THE WORD FREEDOM.

BUT FREEDOM IS NOT AN EMPTY WORD TO ME.

MY LIFE COULD HAVE GONE A VERY DIFFERENT WAY AFTER MY DAD DIED.

I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

BUT I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE WE CAN DO BETTER.

AS A STATE, WE GET THESE DEADLY ILLEGAL GUNS OFF OF OUR STREET.

WE CAN BUILD AN ECONOMY THAT LISTS EVERYONE UP.

WE CAN PROTECT ABORTION ACCESS.

I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR ECONOMY, OUR STATE AND OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER, AND THAT'S WHAT REAL PATRIOTISM LOOKS LIKE.

AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT AS WE MOVE MARYLAND FORWARD IN THIS NEXT DECADE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, THANK YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FOR JOINING US, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, THE CLOIS IS YOURS INTO THE VOTING BOOTH YOU GO.

THANK YOU.