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.

AND WELCOME TO THE 2026 MARYLAND REPUBLICAN PRIMARY GOVERNOR DEBATE.

WE ARE COMING TO YOU FROM THE IRENE AND EDWARD KAPLAN PRODUCTION STUDIO AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M MATT BUSCH, NEWS DIRECTOR WYPR 88-1, BALTIMORE'S NEWS STATION AND HOST OF THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP WHICH AIRS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT 2:00.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NINE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR THIS YEAR IN MARYLAND.

ALL NINE WERE INVITED.

THREE ARE WITH US HERE TODAY IN STUDIO.

EARLY VOTING TAKES PLACE JUNE 11-18 AND PRIMARY DAY IS JUNE 23.

REMEMBER, YOU DO NEED TO BE REGISTERED AS A REPUBLICAN TO VOTE FOR ANY OF THESE CANDIDATES YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUN.

HERE IS HOW TODAY IS GOING TO EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR OPENING STATEMENT AND 90 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH OF MY QUESTIONS AND ANY SECONDS FOR ANY REBUTTALS.

LET'S GET STARTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

DOUGLAS LARCOMB GOES FIRST WITH HIS OPENING STATEMENT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MARYLANDERS.

I AM DOUGLAS LARCOMB, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

OUR STATE IS IN TROUBLE WITH REGARD TO SOLVENCY AS WE ARE ON THE FAST TRACK TO BEING SOLVENT.

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR, WHO IS PUSHING RACISM WITH REGARD TO TELLING THE BLACK VOTERS OR THE PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS BLACK VOTERS, THAT THEY NEED TO VOTE FOR BLACK PEOPLE.

MY FAMILY ISBY RACIAL AND-- IS BIRACIAL AND I FIND THIS DISINGENUOUS AND ALARMING.

WE ARE ON THE WES MOORE SCHOOL OF ECONOMIC RUIN PLAN AND WE HAVE BEEN EXTORTED, WE HAVE BEEN SWINDLED AND WE HAVE BEEN HUSTLED.

I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I AM CAPABLE OF RUNNING THIS STATE.

AS A FATHER OF EIGHT CHILDREN, GRANDFATHER OF 22 CHILDREN, AND GREAT GRANDFATHER OF ONE.

PLEASE REVIEW THE POLICIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU ONLINE.

LOOK THEM OVER AND SEE WHERE MY PLATFORM STANDS WITH REGARD TO GETTING THIS STATE INTO SOME SEMBLANCE OF REASONABLE POLICY.

>> JOHN MYRICK, YOU ARE UP NEXT.

>> THANK YOU.

MY FELLOW MARYLANDERS, I'M JOHN MYRICK, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.

MARYLAND IS AT A PRECIPICE.

WE HAVE ONEAWAY TAXES, RUNAWAY FEES.

WE HAVE GOVERNMENT IN ANNAPOLIS THAT FORGOT A VERY LONG TIME AGO THAT THEY WORK FOR YOU AND I. THEY ALSO FORGOT THEY'RE SPENDING YOUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS, NOT MONOPOLY MONEY OR MONEY IN THE LEDGER.

I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND THE DEDICATION AND THE DRIVE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS HERE IN MARYLAND.

MY RUNNING MATE AND I, Dr.

BRENDA CHAM HAVE VERY REAL SOLUTIONS TO MARYLAND'S VERY REAL PROBLEMS.

I AM A MARYLANDER.

I AM ALSO A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, A FORMER FEDERAL AGENT, AND A RETIRED AIR FORCE AVIATOR.

WE CAN FIX THESE PROBLEMS HERE IN MARYLAND.

THEY TAKE A GOVERNOR WHO CARES ENOUGH TO DO IT AND ONE WHO IS NOT LOOKING FOR THE NEXT RUNG UP ON THE POLITICAL LADDER.

THANK YOU.

>> AND SHANNON WRIGHT, YOUR OPENING STATEMENT.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

I AM YOUR BEST HOPE TO SAVE OUR STATE.

WE ALL BELIEVE AND KNOW THAT MARYLAND HAS BEEN FLOUNDERING BOTH ECONOMICALLY, GEOGRAPHICALLY, JUST ALL OF THE THINGS BETWEEN THE KEY BRIDGE ISSUES, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, ALL OF IT.

NOW, I WILL SAY THIS: I AM THE BEST CANDIDATE TO BE ABLE TO SAVE OUR STATE, AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN, BECAUSE Dr.

KING SAID WE SHOULD ALL BE JUDGED BY THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER, NOT THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN.

I BRING A SKILL SET, LIVED EXPERIENCE, TO BE ABLE TO FIX THIS STATE AND MAKE MARYLAND ONCE AGAIN A FAMILY FRIENDLY STATE, WITH JOBS, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY THAT EVERYONE, EVERYONE WOULD LOVE TO SEE RETURNED TO MARYLAND AGAIN.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

WE'LL GO TO OUR QUESTIONS NOW.

REMEMBER EACH CANDIDATE GETS 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND WE WILL VARY THOSE WHO GETS TO RESPOND FIRST IN THE ORDER THEY RESPOND.

QUESTION NUMBER 1 GOES TO SHANNON WRIGHT.

MANY MARYLAND FAMILIES SAY THEY'RE WORKING HARDER BUT FALLING BEHIND.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WOULD DO IN YOUR FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR TO LOWER THE COST OF LIVING?

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS, BUT THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS LOOK AT ALL OF THE TAXES AND FEES THAT ARE NUISANCE AND UNNECESSARY AND, QUITE FRANKLY, SOME OF THEM COSTING MORE ADMINISTRATIVELY THAN THEY EARN FOR THE STATE.

I WOULD REEVALUATE ALL OF THE STATE SPENDING.

I BELIEVE AT ALL THAT OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO CAN BE FOUND IN THE MONEY OF THE BUDGET WE ALREADY HAVE: IT'S JUST HOW YOU SPEND IT.

AND AS A MOM AND A WIFE, I KNOW HOW TO STRETCH A DOLLAR AND TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE PENNIES IN THE COUCH CUSHIONS.

>> WE WILL GO TO JOHN MYRICK NEXT.

>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE WOULD DO IS LOOK AT THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUES HERE IN MARYLAND.

WE HAVE ENERGY PLANS THAT WILL CUT ENERGY PRICES IN HALF IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OUR ADMINISTRATION.

WE WILL BRING IN AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT TEAM TO LOOK AT EVERY DIME SPENT OF MARYLAND'S MONEY BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT IS YOUR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS, NOT MONOPOLY MONEY.

ER WITH WE FIND WASTE, WE WILL CUT IT.

WHERE WE FIND FRAUD, WE WILL PROSECUTE IT BECAUSE NOBODY WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY ON OUR WATCH.

AS SHANNON SAID, MARYLAND IS A RICH STATE.

WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH RESOURCES IN THIS STATE TO COVER MARYLAND'S NEEDS.

WE HAVE A SPENDING ISSUE, NOT A REVENUE ISSUE AND IT'S TIME TO PUT YOUR MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKETS.

AND WE WILL DO THAT.

WE WILL DO THAT USING COMMON SENSE, RATIONAL, LOGICAL BUDGETING.

THANK YOU.

>> THE FIRST THING WE CAN DO TO MAKE MARYLAND MORE AFFORDABLE IS TO REPEAL, WHILE WORKING WITH BILL FERGUSON, AND JOCELYN MELNICK, REPEAL THE ADVANCED CLEAN CARS 2 ACT WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL, NOT POSSIBLE, UNAFFORDABLE, UNSUSTAINABLE.

WHEN WES MOORE PONTIFICATES, "I STAND WITH MARYLANDERS" WHEN HE IS TALKING ABOUT P.J.M.

AND THE NEXT THING YOU HEAR OUT OF HIS MOUTH, WE ARE IMPROVING THE GRID.

THE GRID BEING IMPROVED IS THE P.G.M., PIEDMONT RELIABILITY PROJECT.

WE DO NOT HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS 4.2 MILLION ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THERE ARE 4.2 MILLION GAS OPERATED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THIS STATE.

WE BREATHE FINE.

SO I WILL DROP THAT BUDGET BY $10 BILLION AND WE ARE GOING TO CUT TAXES AND CUT FEES AT MOTOR VEHICLES AND SO ON.

FISHING LICENSES.

EVERYTHING.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS ENERGY COSTS.

ENERGY BILLS ARE RISE AGO CROSS THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

MANY PEOPLE SEE THEIR BILLS COME IN AND WONDER HOW MUCH THEY'RE GOING TO BE PAYING, HOW MUCH MORE THEY MAY BE PAYING EVERY PARTICULAR MONTH.

HOW WOULD YOU PRIORITIZE LOW INCOME COSTS-- LOWERING ENERGY COSTS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> IT IS A HIGH PRIORITY ISSUE FOR US.

THE CURRENT GOVERNOR CURRENT ECONOMIC POLICIES AND ENERGY POLICIES ARE BANKRUPTING MARYLAND FAMILIES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE, AS WE HAVE SHUT DOWN POWER PLANTS OPERATED BY FOSSIL FUELS, WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RELY ON IMPORTING OUR ENERGY, WHICH WE IMPORT NEARLY 50% OF OUR POWER NOW, FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND: FROM PENNSYLVANIA, WEST VIRGINIA, TWO STATES THAT RELY ON FOSSIL FUELS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY.

THOSE DISTRIBUTION CHARGES ARE WHAT ELEVATE YOUR COSTS.

AND WHEN THEY HAVE IT AND WE DON'T, THEY GET TO SET THE PRICES.

WE WILL WORK TO REOPEN THE SHUTTERED POWER PLANTS WITH THE OPERATORS OF THOSE PLANTS.

WE WILL WORK WITH CALVER NUCLEAR PLANT TO INTRODUCE CAPACITY AND INTRODUCE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY IN MARYLAND TO TURN US INTO AN ENERGY PRODUCER RATHER THAN AN ENERGY CONSUMER.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> MAJORITY OF THE COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT DID MEET E.P.A.

STANDARDS AND HAD SCRUBBERS ON THEIR AC STACKS WERE RUN OUT OF THE STATE BY LEGISLATION, I BELIEVE IT WAS 2013.

AS THESE PLANTS CLOSED, A COMPANY IN LONDON, ENGLAND, PURCHASED THOSE PLANTS AND THE COMPANY'S NAME IS RIVERSTONE LLC.

SO WE ARE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY COAL-FIRED PLANTS, WHEREAS WE BUY THAT ENERGY FROM PENNSYLVANIA FROM COAL-FIRED PLANTS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ALLOCATING $8 BILLION FOR BUILDING MODULAR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS FOR EACH.

I INTEND TO BUILD MODULAR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS WHILE HAVING THEM IN SERVICE WITHIN FOUR YEARS.

FURTHERMORE, I WILL MUSCLE THE ENERGY COMPANIES PEPCO AND BGE TO STOP THE DELIVERY FEES FROM DELIVERING THE FOOL FROM PENNSYLVANIA OR THEY ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF BUSINESS.

WE CAN MANAGE OUR OWN GRID AND HAVE STATE OWNED ENERGY.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> AS MUCH AS I APPRECIATE THE HISTORY LESSON FROM MY OPPONENTS, WE NEED TO PHONE OWS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO, NOT WHAT IS GOING TO ALREADY DONE.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE OPEN OUR ELECTRIC BILLS.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS BRING BACK ONLINE FOSSIL FUELS.

VERY SIMPLE LESSON.

YOU DON'T TAKE AWAY WHAT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST WAY BEFORE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO REPLACE IT.

SO IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE WE GET THE OTHER THINGS UP TO STEAM, WE ARE GOING TO BRING BACK ONLINE ALL OF THE PLANTS THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS: NUCLEAR, YES IS ONE OF THEM, GEOTHERMAL, SOLAR, WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT ALL OF IT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL STATE.

THIS IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL PROBLEM AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AND USE ALL THE TOOLS IN THE TOOL BOX TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ROVING POWER OUTAGES THAT WE DON'T HAVE FOLKS AT HOME USING MEDICAL DEVICES BEING IN THE DARK AT CRITICAL TIMES.

TOGETHER, WE WILL PUT MARYLAND BACK ON THE GRID.

>> OKAY, OUR NEXT QUESTION IS SOMETHING THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY CERTAINLY PLAYED A ROLE IN IN PASSING THE LEGISLATION THIS YEAR AND IT WILL GO TO DOUGLAS LARCOMB FIRST YEAR.

WHAT ROLE SHOULD MARYLAND PLAY IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND WHERE DOES THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY END AND FEDERAL BEGIN.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF THE LEFT VOTERS ARE PUSHING FOR A SANCTUARY STATE.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN GIVING UP OUR STATE'S AUTONOMY TO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT WE ARE A SANCTUARY STATE.

SO WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US, RIGHT?

SO I AM A REPUBLICAN.

AND REGARDLESS OF MY REPUBLICAN PARTY VALUES, IN TERMS OF CONSERVATISM, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE IMMIGRATION THAT WE HAVE HERE.

WE HAVE ROUGHLY 30,000 UNDOCUMENTED NOT CITIZENS IN THIS STATE.

SO MY PROPOSAL IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DOCUMENT THEM BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE 287G WHICH IS A FEDERAL LAW ANY LONGER.

SO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS AN OFFICE CALLED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION AFFAIRS.

WE CAN DO OUR OWN BACKGROUND CHECKS SO WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THE UNDOCUMENTED COME IN, ISSUE TEMPORARY WORK PERMITS WHILE THEY'RE HERE AND DRIVER'S LICENSES THAT SAY FOR NON-FEDERAL USE.

WE NEED TO NAVIGATE WHAT WE HAVE AND GET THEM ON THE TAX ROLES.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> I APPRECIATE SOME OF THE CREATIVITY EXPRESSED THAT WILL YOU HEAR TODAY WITH REGARDS TO IMMIGRATION.

BUT I THIS I THAT IN TERMS OF A SANCTUARY STATE, LOOKING AT THE KINGS ENGLISH DEFINITION OF DIFFERENT WORDS, OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY IS A SANCTUARY.

WE ARE THAT COUNTRY THAT IS BUILT ON BEING A MELTING POT; THAT IS BUILT ON BEING WELCOMING; THAT IS BUILT ON INVITING FOLKS IN, EXPANDING OUR CULTURE.

THE PROBLEM IS THE ILLEGAL PART.

AND AS A PARENT, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT.

YOU DON'T REWARD BAD BEHAVIOR.

SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO REWARD FOLKS THAT DECIDED TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO THE WAY THEY WANT TO DO IT.

WHEN YOU GO HOME AT NIGHT, YOU DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR DOORS AND YOUR WINDOWS OPEN.

YOU LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS AND EXPECT ANYONE COMING IN WITHOUT AN INVITATION IS GOING TO BE LEFT LEAVING IN PERHAPS NOT THE WAY THEY CAME IN.

THAT IS THE SAME PROCESS HERE.

YOU CLOSE YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS, LOCK YOUR GATES AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT HERE IN MARYLAND AS WELL.

WE WILL, HOWEVER, WORK WITH ALL OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE LAW, BUT WE ARE GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ACTIONS THIS YEAR MADE MARYLANDERS LESS SAFE; ALL MARYLANDERS LESS SAFE.

MAKING MARYLAND THE SANCTUARY STATE IS THE WRONG MOVE.

AND I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.

WE WILL WORK WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WILL WORK WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REPEAL THE HARMFUL ACTIONS THAT WERE PASSED THIS YEAR.

AND WE WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, ALL OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

MARYLAND'S SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT, AND KEEPING MARYLANDERS SAFE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNOR.

WE WILL WORK WITH ICE TO GET CRIMINAL, ILLEGAL ALIENS OFF OUR STREET; THE PEOPLE WHO PREY ON MARYLAND CITIZENS AS WELL AS OUR UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.

>> WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

AND SHANNON WRIGHT, YOU GET THIS ONE FIRST.

MAJORITY LEADER'S ECONOMY DEPENDS ON FEDERAL JOBS AND CONTRACTS GREATLY AFFECTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION.

HOW WOULD YOU GROW THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN MARYLAND WITHOUT HURTING COMMUNITIES TIED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS IN OUR STATE'S BEST INTEREST TO BE TIED IN THAT HANDOUT HAT IN HAND MENTALITY OF HAVING TO RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT AND THEN BEING UPSET WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DOES WHAT IT IS IN ITS BEST INTERESTS FISCALLY.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO, AND I HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT HOW TO DO IT, IS WORK WITH EDUCATION.

EDUCATIONINGS KEY-- EDUCATION IS KEY IN A BUNCH OF AREAS.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS WRITE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO INTRODUCE ACADEMIC SAVINGS ACCOUNTS SO WHEN FOLKS MOVE TO THIS STATE TO TAKE A JOB, THEY KNOW THE COST OF THEIR CHILDREN'S QUALITY EDUCATION IS COVERED.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF MARYLAND FLOWING AGAIN, MAKE SURE TO APPEAL TO FAMILIES.

AND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO APPEAL TO FAMILIES IS TO LET PARENTS KNOW THAT THEIR CHILDREN 'S QUALITY EDUCATION WILL BE COVERED BY THEM INVESTING IN THIS STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> OKAY.

JOHN MYRICK, YOU ARE NEXT.

>> ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR MARYLANDERS.

WE WILL REBUILD MARYLAND'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PLAN FOR EVERYONE.

WE HAVE KNOWN FOR DECADES THAT WE ARE TOO DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HERE IN MARYLAND.

AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

NOW, OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, WE WILL WORK WITH THEM.

UNLIKE THE CURRENT GOVERNOR, I WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT A GOVERNOR IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

THEY ARE OUR LARGEREST EMPLOYER.

THEY ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF OUR BUDGET.

SO WE WILL WORK WITH THEM IN ORDER TO STOP THE HEMORRHAGE OF FEDERAL JOBS.

WHILE WE DO THAT, WE WILL WORK TO LOWER THE CORPORATE TAX TRAIT FROM ITS INSANE 8.5% CURRENT RATE DOWN TO 5%, TO MAKE US MORE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES IN THE REGION.

THAT WILL ATTRACT BUSINESSES.

WHEN YOU ATTRACT BUSINESSES, THEY HIRE PEOPLE, EMPLOYED PEOPLE PAY TAXES.

EMPLOYED PEOPLE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WAY.

AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO ALL MARYLANDERS.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

MARYLAND, WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS ACUMEN WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE BEING THAT WE HAVE PER CAPITA, THE MOST AMOUNT OF MASTERS DEGREES AND DOCTORATES IN THE NATION.

I THINK WE ARE THIRD HIGHEST.

SO HERE IS THE SITUATION.

AS JOHN ASSERTED, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE CORPORATE AND SMALL BUSINESS TAX RATE, AND IT'S CURRENTLY AT 8.25%.

MY PUSH IN THE POLICY WOULD BE TO TAKE IT DOWN TO 3.5%.

SO IT'S RANKED 41 IN THE NATION WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BOOST THAT.

AND WE RANGE 50th IN THE NATION WITH REGARD TO JOB GROWTH.

SO THERE WERE NO JOBS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE LAID OFF BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE ONLY HAD A JOB GROWTH OF .6%.

SO, WITH BRINGING THESE CORPORATIONS IN QUICKLY, THEN AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE HAVE JOBS FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.

I ALSO AM OPEN TO FRACKING TO MAKE THIS STATE WEALTHY IN THE WESTERN COUNTIES OF THE STATE AND THAT WILL CREATE JOBS AS WELL.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE MARYLAND IS SAFER TODAY THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

JOHN MYRICK, YOU ARE FIRST?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS STATE IS LESS SAFE TODAY THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

PART OF IT AS WE TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PUSHING FOR SANCTUARY STATUS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THIS IS MAKING MARYLAND UNSAFE.

THE GOVERNOR TOUTS THAT CRIME IS DOWN IN MARYLAND.

BUT MOST MARYLANDERS KNOW BETTER.

WE CAN FIX THAT.

AS A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AS THE ONLY FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF EITHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN PARTY RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

WE WILL MAKE MARYLAND SAFE ONCE MORE.

WE WILL GIVE THE MONEY TO THE COUNTIES SO THAT THEY CAN HIRE AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED OFFICERS AGAIN.

THE MONEY IS THERE.

MONEY FROM OUR LOTTERY REVENUES, MONEY FROM OUR CASINO GAMBLING REVENUES, WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO GO TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S ALL GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL PUT IT BACK WHERE IT BELONGS.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> MARYLAND, IF YOU THINK THAT MARYLAND IS SAFER IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I WOULD SAY NO.

IF-- I WOULD GUESS IF YOUR LITMUS TEST IS BY THE MURDER RATE THAT THERE ARE FEWER MURDERS IN THE CITY OF BALTIMORE, YOU CAN PROBABLY MAKE A CLAIM.

BUT HOW DO YOU SAY THAT THE STATE IS SAFER WHEN YOU TIE THE HANDS OF YOUR SHERIFFS?

I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUTOUT TO SHERIFF CHUCK JENKINS.

I THINK HE HAS BEEN THE SHERIFF SINCE VIETNAM.

I'M NOT SELLING YOU OUT IN TERMS OF YOUR AGE.

AND SHERIFF UP IN HARTFORD COUNTY OR DEALING WITH A HEART BREAKER WITH REGARD TO IMMIGRANT DID IN THIS STATE IN HIS COUNTY.

WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE NEED TO BOOST IT IF YOU ASK PEOPLE IN BALTIMORE, THEIR CARS ARE BEING STOLEN EVERY DAY.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN IT.

CRIME IS UP.

IT'S JUST REPORTED DIFFERENTLY.

ONE MOR IS TOO MANY MURDERS.

THAT IS NOT A GREAT MEASURE BY BRANDON SCOTT.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> THIS IS A TOUGH ONE.

I WILL SAY THIS: I DO NOT HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND, BUT ONE THING I SURE DO KNOW IS THAT WHEN OUR CHILDREN, WHEN THE YOUTH, WHEN GROWN FOLK, FEEL SO DESPERATE THAT THEY GET AND FIND THEMSELVES IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY FALL INTO THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE HAVE ALREADY LOST.

THE IDEA IS TO MAKE SURE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN DO WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS FOR IT TO DO, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE ARE CATCHING AND PREVENTING AS MANY FOLKS FROM RUNNING DOWN THE WRONG PATH AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN YOU GET INTO THE COURTS, THE WAR IS ALREADY OVER.

WE NEED MORE PROGRAMS THAT HELP.

AND WHEN I SAY PROGRAM, I DON'T MEAN IN THE TYPICAL THROW MONEY AT IT KIND OF WAY.

I MEAN ACTUAL PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH A MEASURABLE METRICS, TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOLKS EDUCATION, TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOLKS A PATH TO A JOB IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT PATHWAYS.

SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT HAVE TO RESORT TO THINGS THAT WE WERE ALL TAUGHT NOT TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT QUESTION GOES TO DOUGLAS LARCOMB FIRST AND DEALS WITH EDUCATION.

MARYLAND SPENDS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR ON EDUCATION.

THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO RISE IN THE NEXT TERM AS GOVERNOR BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE BLUEPRINT, THE EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE WHERE NUMBERS CAME OUT THIS WEEK SAYING MARYLAND IS IMPROVING BUT MANY STUDENTS ARE STILL BEING LEFT BEHIND.

DISCIPLINE ALSO AN ISSUE.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT YOU THINK MARYLAND SCHOOLS ARE GETTING WRONG AND HOW WOULD YOU FIX IT?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, MAT.

HERE IS A SITUATION WITH BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE.

IT'S BANKRUPT.

AND YOUR GOVERNOR AND THE LEADERSHIP AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY KICKED IT DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION WHICH I WOULD LOVE BE IN CHARGE OF.

WE NEED TO REPEAL BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE.

IT'S BEING RAIDED $9.35 BILLION IS BEING RAIDED.

A.I.B.

IS MISAPPROPRIATING MONEY SO AS I DO MY RESEARCH WITH THIS, I TALKED TO CARROLL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND WORCESTER COUNTY, THESE COUNTIES GRADUATE 97% OF THE STUDENTS.

WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING, THEY'RE DOING RIGHT, CORRECT?

AND THEY SAID THAT BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE HAS A LOT OF DUPLICITY.

SO WE TAKE THOSE MODELS AND WE DEVELOP A NEW LAW.

I WORK WITH BILL FERGUSON AND JOCELYN PENA MELNICK, AND WE GET A NEW PLAN TOGETHER TO GET OUR STUDENTS EDUCATED.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WOULD I RATHER HAVE A-- I WOULD RATHER HAVE A GOOD POLICY THAN NOT.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> SO WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION, THE BLUEPRINT ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE REPEALED.

BUT I ASK THE QUESTION, WHEN MY OPPONENTS TALK ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPEALED, AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE MINORITY THAT THE REPUBLICAN FOLKS ARE IN, WHAT IS THE PATHWAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WORK WITHIN THE CONFINES OF WHAT IS ALREADY THERE WHILE WE WAIT FOR WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPEALED IS REPEALED.

WE NEED TO WORK ON TWO TRACKS.

WE NEED TO MULTITASK.

WHILE YOU ARE TAKING ONE BACK, YOU NEED TO BE EXPANDING THE OTHER.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND TURN THINGS AROUND.

IF WE CAN GET A HANDLE ON EDUCATION-- WHICH I KNOW WE CAN, AND I KNOW THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT AS GOVERNOR AND AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR SPECIFICALLY, TO BE ABLE TO TURN EDUCATION AROUND, TAKE THE RIDICULOUS COSTS THAT ARE NOT PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS, OUR CHURN, ANY OUTCOME.

THE PER CAPITA, PER STUDENT COST THAT IS PAID IN MARYLAND IS MORE THAN THE AVERAGE PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION, AND THESE CHILDREN STILL GRADUATE WITHOUT A CLUE TO WHAT A GOOD EDUCATION SHOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE.

WE ARE GOING TO FIX THAT.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> I MYSELF AM A PRODUCT OF THE MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I CAN READ, WRITE AND DO MATH AND MAKE CHANGE FOR A DOLLAR.

ALL THINGS KIDS TODAY CAN'T DO.

I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT THE BLUEPRINT IS A TRAVESTY.

IT HAS LAUDABLE GOALS BUT SHORT ON EXECUTION.

IT NEEDS TO GO AND IT IS GOING TO BANKRUPT THE STATE AND EVEN THE DEMOCRAT SUPER MAJORITY LEGISLATURE KNOWS THIS.

WE CAN FIX THIS.

THAT IS WHY I CHOSE A TEACHER AS MY RUNNING MATE; SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR 30 YEARS, SEEING THE PROBLEMS FIRSTHAND.

SOMEONE WITH A Ph.D.

IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, A FORMER LEGISLATURE WHO HAS SERVED IN ANNAPOLIS AND UNDERSTANDS THE SYSTEM.

WE WILL REBUILD THE MARYLAND SCHOOL BOARDING SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE ARE ADVOCATES FOR SCHOOL CHOICE AND MONEY FOLLOWS THE STUDENT.

IF HAVE YOU TO TAKE YOUR CHILD OUT OF A MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL, YOU SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED TWICE AND HAVE TO PAY AGAIN BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS FAILED THEM.

WE WILL FIX THIS AND IT WILL BE BETTER FOR ALL MARYLAND STUDENTS.

>> WE ARE GOING COME BACK THE OTHER WAY FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

SO JOHN MYRICK, YOU GET THIS ONE FIRST.

MARYLANDERS SPEND HOURS COMMUTING TO SCHOOL AND TO WORK.

WHICH TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS WOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION FOCUS ON THIS PRIOR TO REMEDY THAT.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE.

THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN DOWN FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW.

IT'S TYING UP TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA.

ANYONE WHO DRIVES THROUGH THE TUNNELS KNOW THIS.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AND WE WILL GET THAT BRIDGE BACK UP IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WE WILL ALSO WORK WITH OTHER STATES, SUCH AS FLORIDA, WHERE GOVERNOR DeSANTIS REBUILT THE CAUSE WAY IN LESS THAN 6 DAYS.

-- 86 DAYS AFTER IT COLLAPSED.

IT CAN BE DONE.

WE WILL GET THE BRIDGE BACK UP AND THAT WILL ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THE TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO REPLACE OR EXPAND THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE IN THE WASHINGTON D.C.

METROPOLITAN AREA, WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS IN VIRGINIA AS WELL.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO EXPAND I-270 AND TO IMPROVE THE RAIL SYSTEM IN MARYLAND SO COMMUTERS CAN MAKE IT BACK AND FORTH TO JOBS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT, YOU ARE NEXT.

>> COMPARING THE PROJECTS AND THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE IN MARYLAND TO OTHER STATES IS APPLES AND ORANGES.

THE KEY BRIDGE WOULD DEFINITELY BE A FIRST PRIORITY.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLORIDA AND HERE IS THEIR STATE GUIDELINES AND LAWS ON THE BOOKS THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS HERE.

WE HAVE EXTRA LAYERS OF AN ONION HERE TO BE ABLE TO GET ANY PROJECT OR JOB DONE.

SO TO COMPARE WHAT WE CAN DO HERE TO WHAT THEY DID THERE, AGAIN, APPLES AND ORANGE.

KEY BRIDGE WILL BE A PRIORITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS REPEAL SOME OF THE DEI RED TAPE, IF YOU WILL, TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY MOVE FORWARD WITH CONTRACTORS THAT GET THE JOB FOR THEIR SKILL SET AND QUALIFICATIONS AND FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN THAT.

THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS WE WILL WORK WITH TRAINS, WE WILL WORK ON BUSES, WE WILL WORK ON EXPANDING ROUTES AND MAKING THEM SAFER.

BUT THE KEY BRIDGE, THAT'S THE FIRST PRIORITY.

SECOND PRIORITY IS REMOVING SOME OF THE RED TAPE, WHICH IS SLOWING DEVELOPMENT DOWN IN OUR STATE.

>> OKAY, DOUGLAS LARCOMB NEXT.

>> WELL, MAJORITY LEADER, WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST THE KEY BRIDGE IN TROUBLE WITH REGARD TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE OVER 300 BRIDGES IN THE STATE THAT ARE IN DIMINISHED CAPACITY.

SO WE NEED TO MOVE FUNDS INTO THE BUDGET AWAY FROM THE CLEAN CARS, ADVANCED CLEAN CARS RULE 2 LAW FORCING TO YOU DRIVE ELECTRIC CARS AND TAKE SOME OF THE MONEY THAT IS NOT RETURNED TO YOU IN REDUCED FEES AND SO ON INTO REPAIRING THESE BRIDGES BUT WE NEED TO MOVE ON ABOUT THE KEY BRIDGE WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, AS IT SUPPORTS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE WITH REGARD TO COMMERCE.

HERE IS A SITUATION.

ED HALE SAID HE KNOWS HIS BUDDIES CAN BUILD THAT BRIDGE.

WHAT HE IS TELLING YOU IS A VERY DEMOCRAT THING THAT HE IS GOING TO FUNNEL $5 BILLION TO HIS BUDDIES AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE HE IS GOING TO GET A KICKBACK.

AS JOHN MENTIONED ABOUT THE BRIDGE THAT IS CONSTRUCTION OPEN FOR OPEN BID, WELCOME THEM HOME TO DO THAT AND AJAX PAVING THSM BRIDGE CAN BE BUILT.

IT WILL SUPPORT THE LOADS THAT WE NEED TO GET TRAFFIC ACROSS THE BRIDGE AND SHIPS UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE IN REASONABLE FORM AND ON BUDGET.

>> GO TO OUR NEXT QUESTION AND SHANNON WRIGHT WILL GET THIS FIRST.

MARYLAND IS A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC STATE.

IF YOU ARE ELECTED GOVERNOR, YOU WILL BE OR DEALING WITH A LEGISLATURE THAT BOTH HOUSES ARE CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS AS WELL AS ALMOST ALL OF ITS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

HOW WILL YOU WORK WITH DEMOCRATS WHILE STILL ADVANCING YOUR PRIORITIES?

>> SO, WHEN YOU MAKE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT MAKE SENSE, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO GET CONSENSUS ACROSS THE BOARD; FOR EXAMPLE, I CAN'T THINK OF ANYONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE POLITICAL AISLE THAT WOULD NOT WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO COME HOME WITH ALL THE BODY PARTS THEY LEFT WITH; THAT WOULD NOT WANT TO KNOW THAT THEIR HOME IS SAFE, WOULD NOT WANT TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE.

THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT UNITES US THAN DIVIDES US.

THE DIFFERENCE IS OUR OPINIONS ON HOW WE GET THERE.

BUT WHEN YOU PUT PEOPLE FIRST, BEFORE POLITICS, YOU GET TO THE PLACE YOU ARE TRYING TO GO A LOT QUICKER AND SMOOTHER.

THAT'S ONE THING.

ANOTHER IS I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND VERY ETHNIC.

I UNDERSTAND HOW TO BRING FOLKS TO THE TABLE.

AGAIN, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT PROCESS AND ACTUAL LIVED EXPERIENCE.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THE NAACP ON POLITICS.

I HAVE WORKED WITH REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THE DEMOCRAT CAUCUSES.

IT CAN BE DONE.

AND AS LONG AS YOU PUT PEOPLE FIRST, YOU CAN GET TO THE SAME PLACE TOGETHER.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> AS A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE TO NAVIGATE ONCE AGAIN WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

WE HAVE A GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT HAS BEEN DEMOCRAT RUN FOR 120 YEARS.

SO HOW DO YOU MOVE POLICIES AND PLANS AND GET THESE PEOPLE TO BE REASONABLE AND PUSH THEM AWAY FROM THEIR AGENDAS OF VISIONS OF GRANDEUR.

SPENDING ALL OF YOUR MONEY.

AS I HAVE COINED YEARS AGO, SOCIALISM IS THE IDENTICAL TWIN TO COMMUNISM WHO WANT TO RELIEVE YOU OF ALL PERSONAL WEALTH AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WES MOORE AND YOUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS DOING.

THEREFORE, AFTER I APPOINT THE NEW MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, I WOULD IMPLEMENT A PUBLIC CONSENSUS VOTING SYSTEM ONLINE SO ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WHETHER YOU ARE NON-AFFILIATED, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, DOESN'T MATTER.

YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON EVERY ISSUE THAT IS ON THE GERM FLOOR, INCLUDING IDEAS THAT I HAVE ABOUT LAWS THAT NEED TO BE REPEALED TO HELP US ALL OUT FINANCIALLY.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THE NONSENSE OUT OF THERE AND BE ABLE TO WALK INTO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH THE DATA OF WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS BECAUSE NOBODY WOULD HAVE DEFUNDED THE DISABLED.

NO EBB WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.

NOT EVEN ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SIDE.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> HAVE I WORKED IN REPUBLICAN WHITE HOUSES, I HAVE WORKED IN DEMOCRAT WHITE HOUSES.

I HAVE WORKED ON CAPITOL HILL.

I CAN WORK AND WILL WORK WITH ANYONE AS GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND TO DO THE JOB AND DO THE BIDDING OF THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A GOVERNOR IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

I'M A TRAINED FEDERAL NEGOTIATOR.

AGAIN WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAVING BEEN DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED FOR OVER A CENTURY, THEY HAVE NOT HAD TO NEGOTIATE.

I ALSO AM NOT SEEKING ANY OFFICE ABOVE GOVERNOR, THEREFORE, I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING PEOPLE ANGRY AS LONG AS I'M DOING THE JOB THAT MARYLAND NEEDS US TO DO.

WE NEED TO COME TO CONSENSUS.

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AS PUBLIC SERVANTS ON THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MARYLANDERS.

BUT IF WE CAN'T, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER USING THE BULLY PULPIT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO GO OUT AND LET MARYLANDERS KNOW EXACT EXACTLY WHO IS STANDING IN THE WAY.

AND POLITICIANS ARE SIMILAR IN MANY FASHIONS TO COCK CONTROLS, NEITHER LIKE THE LIGHT.

YOU ONLY HAVE TO EMBARRASS FOLKS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY WILL COME BACK TO THE TABLE.

>> THIS IS OUR FINAL QUESTION OF THIS ROUND.

60 SECONDS LEFT FOR THIS ONE.

WHERE IS ONE ISSUE YOU DISAGREE WITH WITH YOUR OWN PARTY ON AND WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT WHAT KIND OF GOVERNOR YOU WOULD BE?

>> I THINK MY DISAGREEMENT AND MY TREASURER WILL TACKLE ME ON THIS.

SHE EVEN KNOWS WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE THE ISSUE ON I AM IMMIGRATION.

THAT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN THING, RIGHT BECAUSE DONALD JOHN TRUMP SAID WE ARE GOING TO GET EVERYBODY OUT.

BUT IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID.

HE SAID WE ARE GOING TO GET THE CRIMINALS OUT FIRST.

IF YOU DO THE MATH-- IF HE IS EXPORTING 7,000 PEOPLE A WEEK ON PAR WITH BARACK OBAMA, WHO DEPORTED 3 MILLION PEOPLE, ALSO KNOWN THE DEPORTER IN CHIEF, DONALD TRUMP WILL ACHIEVE 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE DEPORTED WHO DIDN'T SELF-DEPORT IN FOUR YEARS.

WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE WAS WE HAVE HERE AND I'M NOT OFFERING ANYBODY CITIZENSHIP.

SO DOTTIE, I'M NOT OFFERING ANYBODY'S CITIZENSHIP.

WE NEED TO GET THESE PEOPLE ON THE TAX ROLLS BECAUSE THEY ARE A BURDEN IF THEY'RE NOT IN TERMS OF USING THE HEALTHCARE, THE SNAP AND SO O. ON.

THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT SETS ME A LITTLE BIT APART FROM EVERYBODY ELSE THAT IS RUNNING ON THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

AND I THINK IT'S ACCEPTABLE FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO DO BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PEOPLE AND GET THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT OUT OF THE STATE FIRST TO MAKE THE STATE SAFER.

>> JOHN MYRICK, YOU ARE NEXT.

>> I DISAGREE WITH MY PARTY IN THAT THEY GENERALLY TEND TO WANT TO VOTE PARTY FIRST THIS IS NOT A PARTY FIRST JOB.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE JOB.

AND I AM NOT A POLITICIAN.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE POLITICIANS SIMPLY TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS.

PUBLIC SERVANTS SOLVE THEM.

I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT MY WHOLE LIFE.

I PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST.

AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS HAVING TO COMPROMISE.

AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS SUPER MAJORITY DEMOCRAT.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, WHEN I AM ELECTED, WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE DEMOCRAT SUPER MAJORITY.

BRINGING THEM TO THE TABLE, HAVING CONSENSUS COMING TO TERMS WITH THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MARYLANDERS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS SOMETIMES REQUIRE YOU TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO AS GOVERNOR; WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT THE PARTY GENERALLY FROWNS UPON.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF MY OPPONENTS IN THIS CYCLE ARE WILLING TO BEND BEFORE EVEN ELECTED.

AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, I WILL REMEMBER THAT I AM A REPUBLICAN.

I WILL REMEMBER THAT I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE-- AND I BELIEVE THE YEAR THAT OBAMA WAS ELECTIONED, I WATCHED THE DEMOCRATS FIGHT AND TAKE THREE VOTES TO INCLUDE THE WORD GOD IN THEIR PLATFORM.

AND FOR ME, AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE THAT GOD IS NOT WELCOME AND INVITED.

SO I WILL NOT BEND IN TERMS OF MY CORE ETHICS AND VALUES.

I WILL HOLD TO THE REPUBLICAN VALUES BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU PUT FAMILY FIRST, AND FAITH AND SAFETY, AND YOUR YOU ROLL THEM ALL TOGETHER, THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE AMERICAN FABRIC.

I WILL NOT BEND.

I CANNOT BE BOUGHT.

I HAVE BEEN BLACK AND BROKE MY WHOLE LIFE.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT ANY OF MY OPPONENTS OR ANYONE IN ANNAPOLIS CAN GIVE ME TO MAKE ME COMPROMISE ON WHO I AM AND WHAT I BELIEVE IN.

BELIEVE WHAT I BELIEVE IS MAYORAL FAMILIES FIRST.

-- MARYLAND FAMILIES FIRST.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE RAPID FIRE ROUND.

CANDIDATES GET 30 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION AND THEN ON TO THE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

FIRST QUESTION GOES TO JOHN MYRICK.

>> HOW CLOSE TO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ALIGNED WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS POLICIES?

>> I BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES FOR THE MOST PART HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.

NOW, AGAIN, AS GOVERNOR, MY JOB IS NOT TO EVALUATE PERSONALITIES.

HE WAS NOT ELECTED TO BECOME THE MISS DONE GENE ALT.

HE WAS-- CONGENE ALT.

HIS POLICIES MAKE SENSE AND HIS OPPONENTS DID NOT.

WHERE HIS POLICIES BENEFIT MARYLAND AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR I WILL COMPLETELY SUPPORT THEM.

WHERE THEY DON'T, WE WILL OPPOSE THEM RESPECTFULLY AND QUIETLY LIKE A GOVERNOR SHOULD.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> I APPRECIATE THE FACT AND THOUGHT AND ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO GO IN.

AND AS FAR AS PRESIDENT TRUMP, I LIKE A LOT OF WHAT HE HAS DONE.

I JUST DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE WAY HE HAS DONE IT.

AND I SAY THAT FROM A PLACE OF, AGAIN, EXPERIENCE.

I WAS A TRUMP DELEGATE IN 2016.

AND A TRUMP DELEGATE IN 2020 AND ACTUALLY ON THE NIGHT THAT HE AND MIKE PENCE ACCEPTED THE NOMINATION, I LED THE PLEDGEE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ALL HERE TO SUPPORT POLICY, NOT PERSONALITY.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU PUT, AGAIN, PEOPLE FIRST, THESE THINGS WORK.

AND THERE IS A WAY TO DO THINGS.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH ALL THE TIME.-- NOT ALL THE TIME WHAT YOU DO BUT HOW YOU DO IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

I JUST KIND OF WISH THAT FOLKS COULD CONTROL HIS SOCIAL MEDIA BUTTONS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> WE'LL GO TO DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> I ALIGN WITH MARYLANDERS.

WE COME FIRST.

WHEN WE LOOK AT POLICIES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE LOOK AT THEIR LAW, WE OBEY THEIR LAW.

THE MARYLAND STATE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS SAYS THAT FEDERAL LAW IS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW IT.

I HAVE FAVORED THE WHITE HOUSE THROUGH JAMES DAVID VANCE AND I KNOW THAT I CAN WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AND THAT HAS BEEN THE RUB THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH WES MOORE FOR SOMETIME AND HAS HURT US SERIOUSLY WITH REGARD TO GETTING GRANTS AND FUNDING.

>> VERY NEXT QUESTION GOES TO SHANNON WRIGHT AGAIN.

30 SECONDS FOR THESE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE KEY BRIDGE EARLIER IN THE DEBATE BUT AGAIN SHE IS SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW TO BE COMPLETED DURING THE TERM, THE NEXT GOVERNOR'S TERM.

HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE IT IS COMPLETED BY THE ESTIMATED GOAL RIGHT NOW OF 2030?

>> AGAIN, BY BRINGING IN CONTRACTORS BASED ON THEIR SKILL SET, THEIR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND BUDGET, THEIR ABILITY TO STICK TO THE PLANS AND THE CONTRACTS AS OUTLINED AND TO BE ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE DEI, FLUFFY QUALIFICATIONS AND GIFTS.

WORK WILL BE DONE, CONTRACTS WILL BE GRANTED BASED ON SKILL SET AND EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> WELL, WE ARE MOST CERTAINLY GOING TO REACH OUT TO FLORIDA AND TALK TO RON DeSANTIS' TEAM, TALK TO HIS STAFF AND FIND OUT SOME OF THE PLAYERS THAT GAVE OPEN BIDS FOR THE SANIBEL ISLAND BRIDGE BUILDING.

BUT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO OPEN BIDS HERE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO PROMISE OUR BUDDIES WE ARE GOING TO BUILD THE PRIG SO WE CAN FUNNEL MONEY INTO OUR OWN POCKETS.

THIS WILL BE BUILT ON TIME.

THE MONEY IS AVAILABLE AND IF YOU ARE FRIENDLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU WILL GET YOUR FUNDING AND THIS WILL GET BUILT.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> BUILDING THE KEY BRIDGE COMES DOWN TO PUTTING THE BEST PEOPLE ON THE JOB WHO CAN DO THE JOB IN THE TIMEFRAME REQUIRED.

OLD-- HOLDING CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE, HOLDING THE ACCOUNTING TO TASK, MAKING SURE THAT MARYLANDERS MONEY IS SPENT AS IT SHOULD BE.

THOSE ARE HOW YOU GET THE BRIDGE BUILT ON TIME.

AND YOU PUT AT THE END OF THE CONTRACTS, PENALTIES FOR NON-PERFORMANCE AS WELL.

THE BEST COMPANIES DOING THE JOB IS HOW WE GET THIS DONE IN A TIMELY FASHION.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON DATA CENTERS?

>> WELL, DATA CENTERS, USE A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS, THE ELECTRICITY, AT OUR EXPENSE AT THE MOMENT, AND WATER.

AND SO THIS NEEDS TO BE NAVIGATED ONCE AGAIN.

THE LEGISLATION SHOULD BE THAT DATA CENTERS PROVIDE THEIR OWN POWER AND THEN THE AMOUNT OF POWER THEY US INTO USE FROM THEIR OWN POWER PLANT, THEY PUT BACK INTO THE GRID FOR US MARYLANDERS FOR FREE.

FURTHERMORE THEY HAVE TO RECYCLE THEIR OWN WATER AFTER THE INITIAL PURCHASE.

THEY'RE COMING AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO TOP DEMOCRATS FROM WANTING THE FUNDS FROM REAL ESTATE TAXATION, BUT THEY DON'T PAY ANY CORPORATE TAXES SO I'M NOT FOR THEM BUT I CAN'T STOP IT.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> AS DOUGLAS SAID, THEY USE A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

ONE NORMAL DATA CENTER POWERS USED ENOUGH POWER TO POWER 120,000 HOMES.

UNTIL WE CAN GET THE ENERGY PRICES BACK UNDER CONTROL FOR MARYLANDERS FOR EVERYDAY MARYLANDERS, WE WILL WRITE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PLACES A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS UNTIL WE CAN BRING THE ENERGY ISSUE BACK IN LINE AND MAKE THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MARYLANDERS.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT MY OPPONENTS, WHO CLAIM TO ALSO BE FROM THE PARTY OF LESS GOVERNMENT, AND MORE FREEDOM, WANT TO RESTRICT WHO CAN COME WHERE AND DO WHAT?

SO IN MY ADMINISTRATION WITH YOUR VOTES FOR NEXT GOVERNOR, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT A MORATORIUM.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS REQUIRE THE DATA CENTERS THAT COME INTO THE STATE, TO SUPPLY THEIR OWN RESOURCES, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY'S AROUND THEM.

VERY SIMILAR TO THE WAY YOU DO DE.D LIKE PIMLICO AND BRINGING PREAKNESS BACK.

YOU GIVE A CONTRACT, YOU BUILD THE COMMUNITY.

YOU BUILD THE SURROUNDING AREA SO THAT THEY ARE AN ASSET, NOT A LIABILITY.

>> JOHN MYRICK, YOU GET THE NEXT ONE.

PREAKNESS WAS RUN LAST WEEKEND HERE IN MARYLAND.

THE STATE IS NOW IN THE HORSE RACING BUSINESS.

AS GOVERNOR WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT, CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT AND IF SO, HOW?

>> HORSE RACING HERE IN MARYLAND IS A BIG BUSINESS.

AND IT IS A TRADITION HERE.

IT EMPLOYS A LARGE NUMBER OF MARYLANDERS, AND WE DO NEED TO SUPPORT THAT.

WHETHER OR NOT THE STATE SHOULD BE INVOLVED DIRECTLY IN HORSE RACING, FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT, IS QUESTIONABLE.

BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE WILL SUPPORT MARYLAND HORSE RACING AND HORSE RACING WILL CONTINUE ITS TRADITION UNDER OUR ADMINISTRATION AND WE WILL SEE THE PREAKNESS BACK IN PIMLICO.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HOLD ON TO SOME TRADITIONS AND PREAKNESS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM AND BEING BACK AT PIMLICO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CONCERNING TO ME IS THE MISMANAGEMENT THE FUNDS.

THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER AREA THAT WAS BOUGHT TO BE ABLE TO STABLE AND TRAIN HORSES THAT NOW, AFTER IT HAS BEEN BOUGHT, OOPS, IT'S NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK OUT, MAYBE WE NEED TO BUY, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER PLACE TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE SAME THINGS.

OUR FOLKS SPEND WITHOUT ANY CONCERN.

YES, WE NEED TO SUPPORT HORSE RACING.

NO WE DON'T NEED TO SUPPORT IT AT THE TUNE OF $85 MILLION BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, IF WE HAD BEEN MANAGING AND CLEANING OUR OWN HOUSE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANOTHER COMPANY COMING IN TO TRY AND BUY WHAT IS MARYLAND BRED.

>> AND DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> GAPING COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS CORRUPT.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY BEING STOLEN BY THEM TO THE TUNE OF BALANCES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE ARE NOT IN THE GAMBLING BUSINESS SO WHILE WE DO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS AND WE WILL SUPPORT BUSINESS, BY ALL MEANS, WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY THE TRACK AT PIMLICO, WE'LL SELL IT TO THEM.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN MANAGING BUSINESSES.

WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF DISTRIBUTING MONEY ALLOCATED WHERE IT'S NEEDED.

>> OKAY, FINAL QUESTION, A BIT OF A LIGHTER ONE TO SEND THE DEBATE TODAY.

JOHN MYRICK, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PARK RECREATION, SITE OR OUTDOOR AREA OR ANYWHERE IN MARYLAND TO VISIT?

>> THAT'S AN EASY ONE.

MARYLAND.

PERIOD.

WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO ON ANY GIVEN DAY, YOU ARE WITHIN A FOUR-HOUR DRIVE OF IT IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE MOUNTAINS AND GO SKIING GO OUT TO OAKLAND.

IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH, OCEAN CITY IS LESS THAN FOUR HOURS AWAY.

THE BAY, EVERYTHING IS HERE.

MARYLAND IS TRULY AMERICA IN MINIATURE.

AND WE, IN MARYLAND, ARE BLESSED TO LIVE IN THE GREATEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO IS HERE.

IT'S AT YOUR DISPOSAL.

>> SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> IT'S HARD TO BE UNIQUE FOLLOWING THAT RESPONSE.

ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO DO IS HERE IN MARYLAND.

I DON'T LIKE TO STICK TO ONE THING.

SOMETIMES I MIGHT LIKE TO GO BIKE RIDING.

SOMETIMES I MIGHT WANT TO GO FOR A WALK AROUND A LAKE.

I'M NOT THAT BIG ON SKIING BUT I DO LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER WINTER SPORTS.

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO GO ANTIQUING AND SHOPPING.

AND MY POOR HUSBAND OF A LONG TIME NOW PUTS UP WITH ALL OF IT.

AND FORTUNATELY FOR US, WE LIVE IN MARYLAND WHERE YOU ARE CLEARLY ABLE TO DO WHATEVER IT IS YOUR LITTLE HEART DESIRES.

>> DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL STATE.

AND IF YOU TAKE A DRIVE AND LOOK AT THE ROLLING HILLS OR DRIVE UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

YOU CAN CATCH ME ON THE BOARDWALK IN OCEAN CITY, POPPING INTO THE PURPLE MOOSE BUT I GO ALL THE WAY OUT TO WESTERN MARYLAND.

BOATING ON DEEP CREEK LAKE AND BLACK TEAR TANF.

GREAT BASEBALL OUT THERE AT GARRETT COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

LOTS TO DO THERE.

I WOULD SAY WESTERN MARYLAND HANGING OUT IN THE SUMMERTIME TO STAY COOL IS GREAT BUT DOESN'T HURT ME IF I'M RIDING THROUGH MY HARLEY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND ENJOY THE DAY THAT WAY.

>> WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF THE QUESTION PART OF OUR DEBATE.

THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES.

WE WILL NOW GO TO THEIR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE GETS 90 SECONDS AS PART OF THE CLOSING STATEMENT.

TODAY WE WILL START WITH DOUGLAS LARCOMB.

>> MARYLAND, WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

WE ARE IN FINANCIAL INSOLVENCY SO MUCH THAT OUR BOND RATING IS DOWN.

IF I'M ELECTED AS YOUR GOVERNOR, YOUR BOND RATING IS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO GO BACK UP.

WE'RE GOING TO USE REASONABLE METHODS TO WORK WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WITH THE PUBLIC CONSENSUS VOTING SYSTEM SO I HAVE THE DATA TO SHOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS, WHILE YOU ARE EXERCISING YOUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT TO VOTE ALL OF THE TIME.

WES MOORE HAS BROUGHT UP IDENTITY POLITICS ONCE AGAIN AND IT'S SHAMEFUL BECAUSE WE ALL BLEED RED.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT.

I UNDERSTAND INJUSTICE, INEQUAL AND DISPARITIES.

I UNDERSTAND THE PLIGHT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PHENOMENONLY NOT DOING WELL IN THE INNER CITY.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT HAVE MONEY DON'T WANT TO WASTE IT.

SO, WITH REGARD TO THESE MATTERS, I AM THE APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO NAVIGATE ALL OF THE SITUATIONS AND POLICIES AND PROBLEMS OF THIS STATE TO GET US BACK TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF RESPECTABILITY, NORMALNESS AND WE ARE SO FAR OUT THERE, WE ARE GOING BROKE.

LET'S GETS THIS SITUATION UNDER CONTROL.

GET THIS BUDGET REDUCED AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL OF YOU.

I HAVE YOUR BACK.

YOU ARE ALL MY NEIGHBORS.

I KNOW YOU ARE.

I AM YOU.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT.

>> JOHN MYRICK.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MARYLAND NEEDS A GOVERNOR WHO WANTS TO GOVERN MARYLAND.

MARYLAND NEEDS A GOVERNOR WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT THE STATE DOESN'T END AT THE BAY BRIDGE OR ITS SOUTH MON TAN.

-- MOUNTAIN.

I AM THAT GOVERNOR.

I WILL BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR AND I WILL BRING LOGIC, COMMON SENSE AND JUDGMENT BACK TO ANNAPOLIS.

YOU DESERVE BETTER.

THIS STATE IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE RIGHT NOW.

AND IF WE DO NOT MAKE A CHANGE, FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, WE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE MARYLAND THAT WE SEE TODAY.

WE CANNOT AFFORD THAT.

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO CAN'T FIND THE TRUTH WITH BOTH HANDS AND A FLASHLIGHT AND WHO HABIT MADE A RIGHT DECISION IN THE PAST-- HASN'T MADE A RIGHT DECISION IN THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT HE IS GOING TO CHANGE.

YOU NEED ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE NEED INTEGRITY BECAUSE INTEGRITY IN THIS JOB IS EVERYTHING.

I BRING THE EXPERIENCE.

I BRING THE DRIVE.

I BRING THE PASSION.

I BRING 400 YEARS OF FAMILY HISTORY HERE IN THIS STATE TO BEAR FOR MARYLANDERS.

I WILL NEVER FORGET WHO I WORK FOR; SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN LOST TO THOSE IN ANNAPOLIS FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THIS IS OUR STATE.

YOU ARE MARYLANDERS.

I AM A MARYLANDER.

THIS IS THE TIME FOR US TO FIX IT.

AND TOGETHER, WE WILL RESTORE PROSPERITY TO MARYLAND.

>> OKAY.

SHANNON WRIGHT.

>> I HAD PREPARED RESPONSES, BUT YOU DESERVE MORE THAN PREPARED RESPONSES THAT HAVE BEEN REITERATED AND HEARD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ELECTION SEASON.

SO I'M GOING TO GO FROM THE HEART.

BECAUSE I DO HAVE ONE.

YOU HAVE A VERY EASY CHOICE.

MY NAME IS SHANNON WRIGHT.

YOU CAN FIND MY WEBSITE AT WRIGHT4MARYLAND.COM.

GO THERE.

LOOK AT WHO SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR IF YOU INTEND TO VOTE IN YOUR OWN BEST INTEREST.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF STUFF SAID THIS ELECTION CYCLE THAT I REALLY THOUGHT WE WERE PAST SO I'M GOING TO GO DOWN THE ROAD.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ETHNICITY OR PLAYING ETHNIC CARDS.

THIS IS ABOUT WHO YOU VOTE FOR NOW THAT DID TAKE OUT WES MOORE IN NOVEMBER.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHO SOUNDS THE MOST LIKE YOU.

THIS IS ABOUT WHO HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO RETIRE GOVERNOR MOORE.

AND I TELL YOU THAT IS ME.

ONE OF MY OPPONENTS HAS ALREADY RUN THIS RACE BEFORE, DIDN'T DO VERY GOOD THEN AND WHEN THEY CALLED SOMEBODY IN TO COMMENTATE MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK, THEY CALLED IN ME.

ANOTHER ONE OF MY OPPONENTS HAS RUN SEVERAL TIMES FOR SEVERAL THINGS AND NEVER RUN A PRIMARY.

ANOTHER ONE OF MY OPPONENTS HAS HAD PERSONAL LIVED EXPERIENCE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ANOTHER IS MAKING A STATEMENT.

I AM IN THIS RACE BECAUSE I WANT THIS STATE TO BE SAFE AND WELCOMING FOR MY CHILDREN AND MY GRANDCHILDREN AND I BET MOST OF YOU WANT THE SAME THING.

SO IF YOU WANT MARYLAND TO BE AS IT ONCE WAS AND FAMILY SAFE AND FRIENDLY, YOUR CHOICE IS TO VOTE SHANNON WRIGHT AS THE NEXT GOVERNOR, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY KIND OF DEMOGRAPHIC CARD, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE THE SKILL SET AND THE LIVED EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OUR DEBATE.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

EARLY VOTING TAKES PLACE JUNE 11-18 AND PRIMARY DAY ITSELF IS JUNE 23.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE REGISTERED AS A REPUBLICAN TO VOTE.

THE DEADLINE TO DO THAT IF YOU ARE REGISTERED IS JUNE 2.

IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED, YOU CAN REGISTER SAME DAY DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD 11th THROUGH THE 18th OF JUNE.

I'M MATT BUSH, I'M THE HOST OF THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP AND NEWS DIRECTOR HERE AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪