Maryland Governor Wes Moore has asserted that “hate will have no oxygen” as long as he leads the state.

Speaking at an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) fundraising event for the Moore-Miller reelection campaign on January 12, 2026, in Rockville, Maryland, Governor Moore emphasized, “So let me be very clear: As long as I am governor of Maryland, hate will have no oxygen. And this year, I have proposed a budget that preserves record funding for hate crime prevention.”

More than 400 AAPI leaders and guests attended the event, which was organized by community leaders and brought together a broad cross-section of Maryland’s diverse populations in a lively and upbeat setting.

“I know there is real and justified fear right now in all of our immigrant communities. Fear about the very real threat of hate crimes…Fear about a White House that conflates patriotism with xenophobia…” he added.

Addressing the gathering, with approximately 60 percent of attendees from the Chinese American community and the rest representing Korean Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Filipino Americans, and South Asian Americans, Moore stressed that his administration continues to build an “inclusive economy, where everyone can access work, wages, and wealth–no matter their background.”

He said Maryland is delivering historic investments in K-12 education, prioritizing job training, cutting red tape to make it easier to start and grow businesses, and building a housing market that is more affordable and accessible for all residents.

Moore explained that his administration’s focus on these priorities is rooted in the belief that they “aren’t political but they’re personal.”

The Governor recalled that three years ago he promised to build a government that reflected the people of Maryland.

“And if we said it, we meant it. We appointed the first Asian American Secretary of State in Maryland history… We appointed the first Asian American Secretary of Labor in Maryland history…” he said, adding, “We appointed the first South Asian Secretary of Higher Education in Maryland history. But before we appointed a single cabinet secretary, I chose my running mate: The first South Asian Lieutenant Governor of Maryland: Aruna Miller.”

Moore also recounted a conversation with Miller when he invited her to join his campaign. “When I asked Aruna to join our campaign, she reminded me that Marylanders hadn’t elected a single governor who wasn’t white and male…” he said, recalling that she asked, “How can you win this election if your Number Two is an Indian immigrant?”

He shared his response: “I told her, Aruna, if someone is going to vote for my opponent because you’re my running mate, they weren’t going to vote for me in the first place.”

“Well… we won,” Moore said, underscoring that the Moore-Miller administration is working to make every day count.

“We’ve created nearly 100,000 jobs. We’ve seen 35,000 new businesses open. We’ve brought the unemployment rate from one of the highest in the country to one of the lowest, and we’ve delivered some of the most impressive crime drops in the nation…” he added.

According to Moore, preliminary data shows homicides are down 25 percent statewide, the lowest level in nearly 40 years, while non-fatal shootings are down 28 percent statewide.

“We’ve made progress. But there is still more to do,” he noted.

Governor Moore also introduced his mother to the audience, saying, “My mother, Joy Moore. She is with us tonight.” He shared that he was raised by an immigrant single mother who was “teased” because of her accent and worked multiple jobs to provide her children with the best possible education. He said she embodies the “struggles and aspirations” of many in the room.

“She taught me that our diversity is our strength,” Moore said. “It’s a lesson everyone here tonight has learned, too. That’s what makes Maryland unique: We know that for us to succeed, every fingerprint is going to count. So, let’s keep up the work. And leave no one behind.”

Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller pointed out that Governor Moore has appointed more AAPI cabinet secretaries than anywhere in the continental United States.

“Representation matters,” she emphasized, noting, “because when young people see people that look like themselves, they know that the possibilities are limitless.” Highlighting the contributions of AAPI leaders at the local and state levels, Miller said, “I am proud to represent you as your Lieutenant Governor, and as an AAPI family member.”

Referring to Moore as “visionary and inclusive,” Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee said the governor is working to transform the lives of Marylanders. “He is investing in our people, on priorities like education, health care, science and research, innovation, clean environment, international engagement with our global partners, and other priorities, that create economic growth and boundless opportunities that will uplift and empower our AAPI and all communities and Leave No One Behind,” she added.

Secretary Lee noted that AAPI voters played a significant role in making history by helping elect Maryland’s first Black governor and first Asian American lieutenant governor. She also highlighted that Governor Moore moved quickly after taking office to assemble what she described as one of the most “talented and diverse” cabinets in the country, with more than half women and more than half people of color, including the largest number of Asian American cabinet secretaries nationwide.

Several attendees said economic stability and neighborhood safety are closely linked, particularly for immigrant families and local business districts. They expressed support for policies that encourage community investment, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen cooperation among residents, business owners, and local authorities.

Among those present at the event were Office of Administrative Hearings Chief Judge Chung K. Pak, Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, and Maryland cabinet secretaries including Atif Chaudry, Sanjay Rai, Portia Wu, and Molly Byron.

At the event, Governor Moore was recognized for his contributions to the state by different groups. 

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