In what universe could Del. Wayne Hartman (R-Lower Shore) get a better seat than Eric Holder or Cal Ripken? and Lieutenant Aluna Miller (Democrat) were sworn in.
This was no ordinary gubernatorial inauguration. When former Governor Larry Hogan (Republican) first took office in 2015, then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (Republican) was the biggest national celebrity on hand. Four years later, the spotlight was on former Florida governor and former presidential candidate Jeb Bush (Republican).
But Moore is no ordinary Maryland politician. He already has a strong national network of former colleagues, admirers and supporters. And the historic nature of his gubernatorial office means that his inauguration has certainly caught the attention of the nation – and yes, celebrities. Looking up at the stage built for the inauguration on the steps of the Capitol was a fun and all-consuming activity.
First, to the essential question. How did Hartman and other House Republicans get better seats than some of the bolder names in the crowd? Simple. They skipped Moore and Miller’s formal oath on the state Senate floor prior to the Attorney Mall event, opting to claim outdoor seating early before much of the crowd got there.
Overall, I didn’t have too many complaints about the seating arrangement. In all but the most toxic partisan setting, the inauguration is meant to bring people together: former Democratic National Committee chairman Tom, who edged Moore by about 15,000 votes in July’s Democratic primary. That’s why Perez can be found talking friendly about lawyers. Moll with John Kane, the former Republican chairman of Maryland who once briefly considered running for governor.
“There’s never been a better day,” said Maryland Kane’s wife, president of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and former Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
Speaking of Maryland power couples, Michelle Jawando, senior vice president of major charity Omidyar Network and married to Montgomery County Rep. I found myself sitting a few rows behind the . , but that didn’t dampen her mood. The couple famously joined voter registration drives on their first date.
“It’s a special day she said,” she said.
After surveying the crowd for celebrity sightings, we found Holder, the first black U.S. Attorney General who served the first black president, Barack Obama. Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (Democrat) made him the second black governor elected in the United States (Moore is his third). Maryland sports icon Ripken and former Congressman and iconic sports icon Tom McMillen were a few rows ahead of him, albeit clearly taller.
Jonathan Martin, Politico’s influential national political reporter, was leaning against a lamppost.
The first dignitaries on stage were Attorney General Anthony Brown (Democrat) and his predecessor Brian Frosh (Democrat). Frosh eventually walked away from the stage and could be seen standing a few steps from the state capitol’s underground entrance. Susan Lee, Moore’s newly minted secretary of state, took the stage and was later seen in the streets near Frosh, later returning to the stage but standing in the back rather than in her seat.
Eventually, all of the living former governors and lieutenant governors took the stage, often with their spouses. Former Lieutenant Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (Democrat), who stumbled on a flight of stairs, was apparently caught by military officers and stabilized by former Governor Bob Ehrlich (Republican), her rival in the 2002 general election. rice field.
Outgoing Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford (Republican) and former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (Republican) hugged. Outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan (Republican) and his predecessor, former Gov. Martin O’Malley (Democrat), have remained prominently on both sides of the stage, and their longstanding feud continues to this day.
“It’s a new day,” O’Malley later told reporters.
The stage quickly filled with county officials, legislative leaders, comptroller Brooke Lierman (Democrat), and members of the state legislative delegation. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) and Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) take a selfie.
“Buckle!” a Republican yelled, acknowledging the onstage presence of House Minority Leader Jason Buckell (R-Allegany).
Then came the biggest celebrities, including Chelsea Clinton, despite being part of the same New York charity that Moore worked for for several years.
Divine Ms. W, who began her singular career at WJZ-TV in Baltimore, introduced Moore and emphasized his lifelong commitment to service.
“The man has worn many hats,” she said. It may be his first day as an elected official, but Wes Moore has been a civil servant all his adult life. And there is more to come! “
Moore’s 20-minute speech was filled with the same kind of uplifting rhetoric that he displayed in his campaign trail. The crowd left largely satisfied. But the happiest were those who happened to meet Oprah.
“Oh my god, she was so nice,” said Montgomery County Councilman Laurie Ann Sayles (D). “She grabbed my arm.”
