Democratic, Governor of Maryland
Now: Governor verified October 12, 2026 · source (opens in a new tab)
On your ballot Governor, Maryland (certified list (opens in a new tab), verified October 9, 2026)
Photo: Maryland State Government, CC BY SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), cropped.
Checked · How the record reads leaders · Report a change · Corrections
Of 25 statements on the record, 16 raised concerns about data centers and 9 carry no label.
Labels are applied by the record's published rules: two readings of each statement, and a third that reads its source where the two differ. Every label sits beside its statement and its source, and any label can be challenged through Report a change, with the correction logged on the corrections page.
What they said
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Gov. Wes Moore said if local jurisdictions say no to data centers, that is a final answer and data centers do not get to write the rules
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 10, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- - The Southern Maryland Chronicle (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
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Moore called on state lawmakers to repeal a law passed in 2020 which gave data centers certain tax exemptions.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Inside Towers (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Moore called on state lawmakers to repeal a law passed in 2020 which gave data centers certain tax exemptions.".
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Moore said he would approve statewide data center moratorium if presented with one, less than a week before the executive order signing
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 25, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The BayNet (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Moore said he would approve statewide data center moratorium if presented with one".
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Moore said he plans to work with the General Assembly to repeal a tax exemption designed to attract data centers to Maryland.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 24, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WBFF (opens in a new tab), local outlet
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The state plans to create a public dashboard for transparency that will display proposed data center projects, including water and electricity consumption.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Diamondback (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "public dashboard for transparency that will display proposed data center projects, including water and electricity consumption".
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Governor Wes Moore said he would sign a data center moratorium if state lawmakers passed one, though the executive order stops short of a moratorium
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WTOP News (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "he would sign a data center moratorium if state lawmakers passed one".
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Governor Moore will ask the General Assembly next session to repeal Maryland's data center sales and use tax exemption enacted in 2020.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- foxbaltimore.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "repeal Maryland's data center sales and use tax exemption enacted in 2020".
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Governor Wes Moore quoted on executive order and data center regulation.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WGMD – The Talk of Delmarva (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "we are establishing clear safeguards to ensure Marylanders do not foot the bill, our people benefit, community voices are heard, and our environment is protected".
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Gov. Moore plans to advocate for repeal of the state tax exemption for data centers, established in 2020, during the next legislative session beginning in January.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Maryland Matters (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "plans to advocate for repeal of the state tax exemption for data centers, established in 2020".
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Gov. Moore said he would work with state lawmakers in the coming legislative session to repeal the existing state tax exemption for data centers, established in 2020.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Bloomberg Government News (opens in a new tab), trade press
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "work with state lawmakers in the coming legislative session to repeal the existing state tax exemption for data centers".
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Gov. Wes Moore stated data centers must establish clear safeguards to ensure Marylanders do not foot the bill, people benefit, community voices are heard, and environment is protected.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Maryland Daily Record (opens in a new tab), local outlet
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Data centers must hire locally, pay well, and enter partnerships with labor unions according to the executive order.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Diamondback (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "requiring data centers to hire locally, pay well and enter partnerships with labor unions, according to Moore".
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Maryland Data Center Task Force will include members from Maryland Energy Administration, Departments of Commerce, Labor, Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Planning
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Dundalk Eagle (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. Both readings of the statement held it.
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Governor Moore has not called for a statewide moratorium on data centers but said he would sign legislation if General Assembly sent him a moratorium bill.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- foxbaltimore.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. Both readings of the statement held it.
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Gov. Moore indicated in a recent interview with Punchbowl News that if a statewide moratorium bill landed on his desk next year, he would sign it.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Maryland Matters (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "if a statewide moratorium bill landed on his desk next year, he would sign it".
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Governor Wes Moore pledged to seek repeal of Maryland's data center tax exemption.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- C-SPAN (opens in a new tab), national outlet
- CBS News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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The executive order does not impose a statewide moratorium on building data centers.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- SoMdNews.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
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Moore called on data center operators to provide their own energy resources and comply with environmental standards
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 17, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- UA.NEWS (opens in a new tab), international outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "called on data center operators to provide their own energy resources and comply with environmental standards".
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Maryland Governor Wes Moore said he would sign a bill imposing a statewide moratorium on data center development if it reaches his desk in 2027
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 17, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- UA.NEWS (opens in a new tab), international outlet
- WCTI (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- WBFF (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "he would sign a bill imposing a statewide moratorium on data center development if it reaches his desk in 2027".
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Gov. Wes Moore said he would sign a statewide data center moratorium as the state faces local pressure to restrict artificial intelligence buildout
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 17, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Punchbowl News (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "he would sign a statewide data center moratorium as the state faces local pressure to restrict artificial intelligence buildout".
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Governor Moore stated data centers must bear own energy costs and infrastructure improvements
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 31, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WJLA (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers must bear own energy costs and infrastructure improvements".
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Gov. Wes Moore said data center developers should provide their own energy, finance infrastructure improvements, use local union labor, comply with environmental regulations, and local jurisdictions should retain ability to reject projects.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: August 17, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- citybiz (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "data center developers should provide their own energy, finance infrastructure improvements, use local union labor, comply with environmental regulations".
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Moore said Virginia has the largest concentration of data centers in the world and Maryland should not replicate Virginia's approach.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 17, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- citybiz (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Maryland should not replicate Virginia's approach".
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Gov. Wes Moore said when asked about supporting a ban: 'I'll work with the legislature to see exactly where we go with this. But I've been very clear about where my guidelines are.'
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Maryland Matters (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. Both readings of the statement held it.
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Gov. Wes Moore vetoed original study bill in 2025 citing cost and labor concerns
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: January 1, 2025.
Primary Sources:
- WJLA (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
How they voted
No vote on a data center measure on the record.
Others in this race
- Dan Cox Republican · Governor · the race page
- Andy Ellis Green · Governor · the race page
- Cathy White Working Class Party · Governor · the race page
Something missing?
Know a sourced statement by Wes Moore on data centers that is not here? Send the link. It goes to the record's inbox as a card routed to this person and publishes only after it is read against its source.
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Data Center Record, "Public statements by Wes Moore", https://datacenterrecord.org/speakers/wes-moore, last verified October 20, 2026.
Reusing this page
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Last verified: October 12, 2026.