On the rooftop terrace of the School of Public Policy’s new building, Governor-elect Wes Moore held his first press conference since election night. At the event, Moore unveiled his transition team featuring Lt. Governor-elect Aruna Miller as chair, and shared plans as he prepares for his administration to formally assume office in January.
“It’s a great day,” Moore said, “because this is an actualization of something that we’ve been talking about for a very, very long time. And we could not, frankly, think of a more appropriate place to be able to have this conversation and to make this announcement.”
Also in attendance were Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, both of whom have been tapped as co-chairs of the transition team.
Diversity, transparency and inclusion were repeated themes in Moore and Miller’s remarks. Moore emphasized the importance of a 21st century education system for students, and plans to implement the first service year option for students which will provide job training and mentorship for young Marylanders to prepare them for college and careers.
It was young people who saw this campaign and who saw us before anybody else did, and we are going to make sure that it’s the voices of young people that are going to be heard and that are going to ring loud.Wes Moore Governor-Elect
The Governor-elect also reserved time for questions. When asked by a student how his administration intends to center the voices of young people as they work to implement strategies to make Maryland the best state in the country, Moore replied, “One thing that we are very cognizant of is the reason we are here is because of young people. It was young people who saw this campaign and who saw us before anybody else did, and we are going to make sure that it’s the voices of young people that are going to be heard and that are going to ring loud throughout this administration and throughout the state of Maryland.”
Moore highlighted that there will be distinct avenues and pathways for students inside his transition team. “We need your active participation in this,” said Moore to the students gathered. “All Marylanders are going to have a chance to make their voice heard and we are going to be explicit about asking, and implicit about asking young people to make sure their voices are heard inside this process, because it is your ideas and your thoughts that will be incorporated into the work of the Moore-Miller Administration.”
Gov.-elect Moore wrapped things up by shaking hands and posing for photos with students. When asked what advice he would give to his 20- or 21-year-old self, “I would say this … Your life will be full of people that are going to tell you what you can’t do. Never lose sight of the power of your voice to always consistently remind yourself what you can do.”
