A super PAC, Truth for Maryland, announced on Wednesday that it will continue running advertisements supporting Democratic Governor Wes Moore, despite receiving a cease-and-desist notice from the governor’s attorneys. The ads urge voters to support Moore’s re-election while rejecting a ballot measure that would permit legislative leaders to redraw congressional district lines.
Andrew Brightwell, the chairman of Truth for Maryland, stated, “We remain steadfast in our support of our great governor and our commitment to end extreme partisan gerrymandering. We will neither cease nor desist – we will persist.” The group began airing the ads on Tuesday, which encourage voters to “Vote yes for Wes and against Question 3.”
Moore’s legal team responded on Wednesday, asserting that the advertisements are misleading. They argued that Moore actually supports Question 3, which seeks to amend the Maryland constitution to allow state leaders to adjust congressional districts without adhering to natural boundaries such as the Chesapeake Bay.
If approved in the November 3 election, Question 3 would facilitate Moore’s initiative to redraw congressional districts, potentially benefiting Democrats across all eight districts, rather than maintaining the current majority of seven. The lone Republican representative, Andy Harris, holds the seat for Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
David Mitrani, an attorney for Moore, criticized the Truth for Maryland campaign as a deceptive tactic intended to confuse voters about the governor’s stance on the matter. In his cease-and-desist letter, he claimed, “The website and advertisement are simply a cynical political ploy to try to trick Marylanders into misinterpreting the Governor’s position on Question 3, which he unequivocally supports.”
Mitrani also pointed out concerns about the similarity in branding and color scheme between the Truth for Maryland campaign and Moore’s re-election efforts. He emphasized that the group does not have permission to use the governor’s name or any of his campaign materials and demanded immediate cessation of these activities.
The situation comes as both sides gear up for the upcoming election, where the fate of Question 3 will be decided by Maryland voters.
