Exclusive: Gov Wes Moore Says This is How You ‘Earn’ the Black Male Vote

While Vice President Kamala Harris continues to make great strides with American voters and support for former President Donald Trump has increased since his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden, there’s one group of Americans that neither candidate can truly get a hold of: Black men.

According to a PEW Research study, Black men vote at about ten percentage points less than their female counterparts, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke to the Root’s Editor-in-Chief to name the exact reasons why.

Moore said Black men are discouraged from voting in the political system that historically “has not always worked for us.” Although he told the Root Black men’s fear of political engagement is justified, he urged politicians to go out and “earn” their vote.

“To get Black men [to vote], you gotta go earn it,” he said. “Black men are not going to...vote a certain way just because.” In 2022, Moore made history becoming the first Black governor of Maryland and the third Black governor in American history. Despite the national attention on his gubernatorial election, even Moore said he still had to convince Black men in his own family to cast their ballots, which speaks to the ongoing disconnect between Black men and the American political system that he says Trump perpetuates.

We all remember when the GOP nominee took out ads in newspapers that read “BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY. BRING BACK OUR POLICE!” after the Central Park 5 were falsely accused of attacking a white woman. How about when Trump called the national guard during the peaceful 2020 George Floyd protests? With all this in mind, it’s no shock that Black men are disengaged, but Moore said this is why “having a vision” is so important.

“The vision that Donald Trump is offering is performative and is of caricatures,” he said. “I’m looking for a real vision for creating pathways for work, wages, and wealth.”

The Maryland governor said the difference between Trump’s antics and the Biden-Harris Administration is the latter has a comprehensive plan and strong track record to help Black men. “The truth is that since the start of the pandemic, we have seen how Black wealth has increased by 60 percent... under the Biden-Harris administration,” Moore said.

The Maryland governor is known for his unwavering support for President Joe Biden and VP Harris. During the interview, he went on to list “receipts” on just how impactful the Biden-Harris Administration has been for the Black community.

He continued saying “we have seen the fastest start in Black owned businesses— [and] startup by Black men in 30 years now under the Biden-Harris administration; the lowest unemployment rates on record for African American men.”

Comparing that to the Trump campaign, Moore told the Root “on the other side, you do have someone that’s talking about immigrants taking Black jobs and does not have a plan.”

It’s not just enough to cater to Black men, Moore insisted. Black women also acknowledge the ongoing struggle to not only protect Black men but to also empower them.

“They [Black women] want our Black men to know that there is a place in our society for them as well, and you know who understands that? The vice president,” he told the Root.

Last week, Moore endorsed Harris for president, according to the Baltimore Sun. Although many are looking at Moore as a potential candidate for Harris’ running mate, he insists he has no plan to join the ticket.