“I am clear — I’m not running,” Moore told POLITICO on Thursday, something he also said on his national television appearance that day. “But what I am doing is running to make sure that Maryland really is going to have the most explosive decade that it’s had at any time in recent history.” Moore, a Democratic rising star, has drawn praise from actor and Democratic megadonor George Clooney as many have widely seen him as a presidential contender. However, the governor framed his thinking about present-day challenges and not the 2028 calendar — still three years away. “I think that anyone who is, you know, focusing their time and their efforts trying to audition for 2028, to me, what it says is, you’re not taking 2025 very seriously,” he said, and maintained his focus is on winning a second term in Maryland next year.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising star within the Democratic Party who’s been floated as a 2028 contender, surprised many Thursday when he said he will not run for president in the next cycle. “I am not running,” Moore said when asked by co-host Joy Behar on ABC’s “The View” if he would run in 2028, noting actor George Clooney’s recent praise of him. “You’re not,” Behar responded, to which Moore doubled down, “I am not running.” “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said at one point that the Maryland Democrat was “doing a pretty bang-up job in Maryland.” “Wait a minute, what if we really, really, really need you, though?” Behar asked to laughter. Moore’s announcement that he’s not interested in running for a White House bid in 2028 is surprising given as his popularity has risen within the party, including making notable appearances at events like the Gridiron Club in March.

Moore’s name has frequently drawn 2028 buzz on the Democratic side, similar to his other gubernatorial peers, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and others. So far, none of them have confirmed a run — or ruled one out, either. “Most politicians do not say things like that. They say, ‘It’s too early,’ all sorts of things,” Behar protested. “Wait a minute, what if we really, really need you?” Despite her pleas, Moore was adamant that he does not intend to throw his hat in the ring, insisting that Maryland is his priority. Moore has led the Old Line State since 2023, and he’s tried to portray himself as a pragmatist as well as someone committed to showing the public that the government can work.