In a campaign ad that aired in 2022, then-gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore (D.) expressed a commitment to ensuring that every student in Maryland receives a fair opportunity to succeed, akin to the one he experienced.
However, as reported by The Washington Free Beacon, the setting of this ad was rather unexpected. Moore chose to film it at Calvert School, a prestigious private institution in Baltimore where his own children are enrolled. This decision has sparked criticism, particularly from those who question the appropriateness of promoting public education from within the walls of an elite private school.
The school, known for its distinctive punch-holed wooden lockers, charges over $33,000 annually for middle school tuition. Moore's campaign confirmed the location of the ad, dismissing the focus on it as an obsession with the governor's actions from years ago. Carter Elliott, a senior communications adviser for Moore's campaign, emphasized the governor's dedication to public education and his support from Maryland's largest teachers' union.
Doug Mayer, a Republican strategist and former communications director for Moore's predecessor, Larry Hogan, criticized Moore's choice of venue for the ad. Mayer described it as "the height of hypocrisy" and "political arrogance," questioning the judgment of someone who would promote public schools while sending their children to a private institution.
Moore, who identified himself as a "Calvert parent" during a 2020 virtual talk on racial inequity and reform, expressed pride in being part of the Calvert community. He praised the school's response to challenges and expressed his eagerness to gather in person with the community.
Calvert School, which offers a unique K-8 model catering to the distinct needs of young boys and girls, combines single-sex and co-ed settings to maximize educational benefits. Sam Shelton, the school's communications director, acknowledged familiarity with the ad but refrained from further comment. Moore's connection to Calvert School extends beyond the ad.
During his inauguration, students from the school were given "dedicated seating," as reported by Maryland Matters. However, it remains unclear if similar accommodations were made for public school students. In May 2024, Moore returned to Calvert School to share his educational journey with students, an event documented on the school's Instagram page.
Moore's political trajectory has positioned him as a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, with some likening him to the "next Obama." Despite his impressive credentials, including a degree from Johns Hopkins University, a Rhodes Scholarship, and service with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, Moore's past claims have faced scrutiny.
In a 2006 White House fellowship application, he inaccurately claimed to have received a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan and to have been inducted into the Maryland College Football Hall of Fame, an organization that does not exist. Additionally, he misrepresented his birthplace as Baltimore, a city he only moved to for college.
Moore's academic credentials have also been questioned. He claimed to be a "foremost expert" on radical Islam based on his graduate thesis at the University of Oxford, yet leading scholars in the field have not heard of him. Furthermore, Oxford does not have a copy of his thesis, and Moore has been unable to provide one despite multiple requests. His assertion of being a doctoral candidate at Oxford also lacks supporting evidence.
In his 2012 book, Discovering Wes Moore, he depicted his upbringing in the Bronx as being in "the hood," a narrative he reiterated in his 2022 campaign ad. However, there is little evidence to suggest he attended public school as a child. Instead, he was educated at the elite Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, now ranked as the second-best K-12 private school in the United States, with an annual tuition nearing $70,000.
Moore's journey from a private school education to the governorship of Maryland raises questions about the authenticity of his narrative and the consistency of his public education advocacy. As he continues to navigate the political landscape, these discrepancies may become focal points for both supporters and critics alike.
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