Maryland Gov. Wes Moore departs after speaking on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
CHICAGO — Gov. Wes Moore invoked Maryland’s — and Kamala Harris’ — response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in a Democratic National Convention speech Thursday night extolling the value of service.
“True patriots do not whine and complain. We put our heads down and do the work,” Moore said in an upbeat address to delegates at the packed United Center.
Moore recounted receiving a call following the March bridge disaster from Harris, the vice president and Democratic presidential nominee. “I want you to know we are here with you every step of the way,” he recalled Harris saying.
The first-term governor has emphasized public service. He established the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to coordinate service initiatives, including the formation of a program allowing the state’s high school graduates to participate in a year of paid public service.
He didn’t discuss that initiative in his speech, but honored the service of the six workers on the bridge who died “as they fixed potholes on a bridge while we slept.” The bridge collapsed after it was hit by a massive container ship.
He said Maryland “brought closure to the families of the six victims” and got the Port of Baltimore back open in 11 weeks.
Moore’s speech came on the third day of a Democratic National Convention in which he has been among the most coveted surrogate speakers for Harris.
On Monday, Moore, 45, addressed Wisconsin delegates at a breakfast meeting.
“Winning doesn’t just happen,” he said in urging the delegates to get out the vote for Harris. “Nothing is given. Everything is earned.”
Thirty minutes earlier, he’d done a similar pep rally for Connecticut’s delegation, and Maryland’s before that. The next day, he’d shout encouragement to the Michigan and Arizona breakfasts. On Wednesday, it was Georgia and South Carolina.
Based on their convention popularity, Moore, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom can all stake a claim for being surrogate-in-chief.
Moore’s popularity in Chicago may be as much about what he says as how he says it.
Political conventions are all about rallying the faithful, and Moore “is a charismatic speaker,” said Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. “He connects. Everyone in the room thinks that he’s talking to them. He’s really very personable, and that’s important in politics today.”
His appearance at the United Center — and his visits to so many state delegations — have raised his national profile.
In the two years since he entered the national lexicon as a rising Democratic star, Moore has consistently deflected the idea that he would run for president.
“This is exactly where he should be, in the job that he loves,” his wife, Dawn — who is attending the convention with her husband — told The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday.
“He’s not about mission creep, he’s about being mission-focused,” the first lady said of the governor, who is a combat veteran. “The mission now is to get the vice president elected president of the United States.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore leads the Maryland delegation as they cast their votes during the Ceremonial Roll Call of States on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party's presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore walks the floor on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, in Chicago, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Todd Heisler/The New York Times)
Maryland Governor Wes Moore takes part in stage testing ahead of the start of the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks during roll call on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, in Chicago, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/The New York Times)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore shakes hands during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore arrives to speak on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, in Chicago, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore departs after speaking on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 21: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore departs after speaking on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore leads the Maryland delegation as they cast their votes during the Ceremonial Roll Call of States on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party's presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
