Timeline: The inauguration of Wes Moore and Aruna Miller
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BALTIMORE - Wes Moore became Maryland's 63rd governor after he was sworn into office Wednesday afternoon at the State House in Annapolis.
Moore captured 63.29% of the vote in November's general election, nearly double that of his Republican opponent Dan Cox.
Related
- What you need to know about governor-elect Wes Moore's inauguration ceremony
- Gov.-elect Wes Moore to take oath on Frederick Douglass's Bible at swearing-in ceremony
By any standard, his victory was huge, but carries with it more than just numbers. United States and Maryland history was also made on election night, as Moore would become the first Black governor of Maryland and only the third to be elected in the nation.
Moore told WJZ his top three priorities are equity, the environment and keeping Maryland competitive. He also said safety and unifying residents are big on his platform.
Moore is an Army veteran and former nonprofit executive. He has lived in Baltimore with his wife Dawn since 2016. They have two children Mia and James.
Aruna Miller makes history as Lt. Governor
Aruna Miller is Maryland's first lieutenant governor who is a woman of color and the first South Asian woman in the role in U.S. history.
She moved to the United States from India with her parents when she was seven years old. Miller is married to her husband, David, and they have three adult daughters.
She got involved in politics volunteering for numerous local and even national campaigns including John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004
Miller is a former State Delegate for District 15 which represents part of Montgomery County. She also served for 25 years at the Department of Transportation in Montgomery County.
Both Miller and Moore - whose mom is Jamaican - tell young people that the possibilities are endless.
"I certainly hope that we're able to let them know that they can be anybody that they want to be when they grow up, and that they should never ever feel uncomfortable in their own skin," she told WJZ.
Wes Moore takes oath of office on Frederick Douglass Bible
Wes Moore delivered his first speech as Maryland's 63rd governor, and the state's first Black governor.
Today is not an indictment of the past," Moore said. "Today is a celebration of our collective future. And, today is our opportunity to begin this future so bright, it is blinding."
Moore said poverty is an issue his administration must address. He spoke of child poverty, homelessness, racial wealth gap, and raising the minimum wage.
"Maryland should not be 43rd in unemployment, or 44th in the cost of doing business," Moore said. "We do not have to choose between a competitive economy and an equitable one."
Crime has been another top issue in Maryland.
"We will work with communities from West Baltimore to Westminster to share data so we can keep violent offenders off our streets," Moore said. "And we can welcome people who have earned a second chance back to our communities."
Moore was introduced by famed talk show host Oprah Winfrey and friend Lt. Colonel Jaime Martinez, retired from the United State's Army.
"It's a joy to be here on this day, and a joy to be back in Maryland," said Oprah, who started her media career at WJZ. "With Wes Moore as your governor, Maryland's best days are ahead."
Moore replaces two-term governor Larry Hogan.
"Thank you for eight years of service in a state we both love," Moore said to Hogan.
Oprah said she first met Wes Moore in 2010 when she interviewed him for his best-selling book.
"I was so impressed with his integrity and his wisdom. He was wise beyond his years," Oprah said. "He knew who is was and he had a vision of who he intended to be and how he wanted to serve."
Oprah said Moore called her told her he wanted to run for Maryland's governor.
"He's always believed that everyone deserves an equal shot at success and opportunity to live well and have lives that are meaningful and provide for their family," Oprah said.
Moore is an Army veteran and former nonprofit executive. He has lived in Baltimore with his wife Dawn since 2016. They have two children Mia and James.
He's a Johns Hopkins graduate, a Rhodes scholar, and a soldier who fought in Afghanistan. He worked as an investment banker, and ran Robin Hood, a non-profit organization.
He started and eventually sold a small business called BridgeEdU, which, according to his website, "reinvents freshman year of college for underserved students to increase their likelihood of long-term success."
During his four years as CEO of the anti-poverty nonprofit Robin Hood Foundation, the organization distributed more than $600 million to help impoverished families.
Morgan State choir sings 'God Bless America'
The Morgan State University, from Baltimore, sang an outstanding version of "God Bless America" during Wes Moore and Aruna Miller's Inauguration ceremony.
The choir is directed by Dr. Eric Conway.
Aruna Miller takes oath as Lt. Governor
Aruna Miller, Maryland's first woman of color elected as Lt. Governor, took oath of office in front of the public.
She was introduced by her three daughters - Mina, Chloe and Sasha.
Miller delivered her first speech in office.
"It is my honor to share my hero with Maryland," one of her daughters said.
She was an immigrant from India, moving to America when she was 7 years old in the 1970s.
Upstate New York became home to her parents and two siblings, a brother and a sister. Her father was an engineer for IBM. He was the first to emigrate to the United States.
"This is a great day in our amazing state," Miller said. "I am Aruna Miller and I thank you for your trust in me to serve as your 10th Lt. Governor."
Miller stood next to Governor Wes Moore as she delivered her speech.
"I am humbled to join you on this journey in state we love," Miller said.
Miller assure that Moore and Miller will fight for equity, something she didn't have coming to America as a foreigner.
"It was always about having the courage to be my authentic self in my space," Miller said. "We see you and we will fight for you. We will address the inequities of the past and build a Maryland where everyone will thrive.
"Together, with you, we will write the next chapter of Maryland's history."
Southern Baptist bishop leads Invocation
Bishop Donte L. Hickman Sr. from Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore delivered the Invocation at Wes Moore and Aruna Miller's inauguration.
"Thank you Donte for bringing faith to this ceremony," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said.
Orioles CEO John Angelos congratulates Wes Moore
Baltimore Orioles CEO John Angelos congratulated new Maryland governor Wes Moore on his inauguration.
"Governor Moore has exemplified hard work and perseverance throughout his life," Angelos said. "His life story is one of hard work, and service to others. "
You can read his full statement here
Anne Arundel Co. Executive kicks off inauguration ceremony
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman is serving as Master of Ceremony of Wes Moore and Aruna Miller's inauguration ceremony.
His message was "leave no one behind."
He kicked off the ceremony with a speech about what this ceremony means.
"Today has been a very long time coming," Pittman said. "The healing this healing this election could offer was sent from a higher power. I, like you, was looking for a leader who would listen, a human being to remind us to be human. We found one and that is why we are here today."
Oprah prepares to present Wes Moore as governor
Oprah was spotted on stage ahead of Wes Moore's inauguration.
Oprah has been an avid support of Moore's campaign.
She will introduce Moore as Maryland's first Black governor.
Oprah endorsed Moore in his campaign, voicing an ad released two weeks before the state's primaries.
In the ad, Winfrey talks about Moore's upbringing and calls him "the type of transformational leader that these times demand."
In addition to her endorsement, Winfrey also raised over $100,000 for Moore, who used to host a show on her network, in a virtual fundraiser in June.
Wes Moore sworn in as first Black governor in Maryland
Wes Moore was officially sworn in as the governor of Maryland.
He placed his hand on the Frederick Douglass Bible.
Moore is now the 63rd governor or Maryland, and the first Black governor of the state.
Moore is an Army veteran and former nonprofit executive. He has lived in Baltimore with his wife Dawn since 2016. They have two children Mia and James.
He's a Johns Hopkins graduate, a Rhodes scholar, and a soldier who fought in Afghanistan. He worked as an investment banker, and ran Robin Hood, a non-profit organization.
He started and eventually sold a small business called BridgeEdU, which, according to his website, "reinvents freshman year of college for underserved students to increase their likelihood of long-term success."
During his four years as CEO of the anti-poverty nonprofit Robin Hood Foundation, the organization distributed more than $600 million to help impoverished families.
Moore has written a number of books, including "The Other Wes Moore," a memoir that juxtaposes his life with that of another man with the same name and a similar background who ended up serving a life sentence for murder.
Aruna Miller becomes first woman of color sworn in at Lt. Gov.
Aruna Miller is officially Maryland's Lt. Governor.
For the first time in Maryland's 234-year history, all of the top statewide constitutional officers will either be people of color or women, and one of those leaders is the Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller.
As an immigrant from India, Miller remembers coming to America in the 1970s. She was seven years old.
"And I look into the airport and I see a sea of people there, and I'm like, wow, they're all waiting for my dad and me. This is so cool. I think I'm gonna like this country," Miller recalled. "And then I got really excited because I thought they were throwing confetti to further welcome us, and it turned out it wasn't confetti, but it was snow."
Upstate New York became home to her parents and two siblings, a brother and a sister. Her father was an engineer for IBM. He was the first to emigrate to the United States.
Oprah Winfrey to present the governor
Former talk show host, media magnate and WJZ alum Oprah Winfrey is attending Wes Moore's inauguration, according to a program that says she will present the governor.
Wes Moore's campaign has previously refused to discuss the rumored stars attending the event - like Winfrey, Spike Lee or high-powered politicians.
Oprah endorsed Moore in his campaign, voicing an ad released two weeks before the state's primaries.
In the ad, Winfrey talks about Moore's upbringing and calls him "the type of transformational leader that these times demand."
In addition to her endorsement, Winfrey also raised over $100,000 for Moore, who used to host a show on her network, in a virtual fundraiser in June.
Moore, Miller lay wreath at Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley memorial
Wes Moore and Aruna Miller made a stop Wednesday morning at the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley memorial in Annapolis to lay a wreath.
The monument, at the City Dock in Annapolis, features a life-size bronze statue of author Alex Haley reading to children.
In Haley's seminal novel, "Roots: The Saga of An American Family," Kunta Kinte is the protagonist. He was one of 98 enslaved people brought to Annapolis on the ship Lord Ligonier in 1767, according to the novel. Kinte never lost sight of his African heritage even after spending years in bondage.
The dock is where enslaved people arrived in the U.S. about 200 years ago.
Former Gov. Martin O'Malley, Katie O'Malley arrive
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and his wife, former Baltimore judge Katie Curran O'Malley were some of the high-profile guests who arrived early for the ceremony.
The Baltimore Banner reports that other notable names attending include Hall of Fame baseball player Cal Ripken Jr., Chelsea Clinton, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke.
O'Malley served as the 61st Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015
Heavy traffic anticipated in Downtown Baltimore for inauguration celebration
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Department of Transportation is warning travelers of heavy traffic expected Wednesday evening in Downtown Baltimore due to an event celebrating Governor-elect Wes Moore's inauguration.
The People's Ball is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center from 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The agency warned that heavy traffic volumes are possible after 5:00 p.m. in the vicinity of the convention center.
Drivers are urged to watch for traffic congestion and pedestrians in the area, and are encouraged to plan ahead for the evening commute on Wednesday by allowing additional travel time.
Road closures, parking restrictions in Annapolis
If you often drive in and around Downtown Annapolis, you might want to plan ahead today.
Multiple road closures and parking restrictions will be in place Wednesday for the gubernatorial inauguration of Wes Moore.
Road closures started at 7 a.m. Wednesday and include State Circle, North Street, School Street, Francis Street and Bladen Street.
Parking restrictions encompass several roads including parts of Maryland Avenue, Francis Street and College Avenue.
