# Dan Cox avoids Trump but can’t escape his ties

> Republican governor candidate Dan Cox tries to steer clear of Trump but his past links remain a key issue in Maryland's race.
- Title: Dan Cox avoids Trump but can’t escape his ties · The Banner
- Summary: Republican governor candidate Dan Cox tries to steer clear of Trump but his past links remain a key issue in Maryland's race. Dan Cox, a Republican…
- Keywords: dan cox, wes moore, maryland, governor, republican, trump, 2026 election, marijuana, key bridge, affordability, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/dan-cox-governor-donald-trump-questions-UFPTJYUFY5BBPLV2DXMEDFO5FY
- Author: Pamela Wood
- Published: 2026-10-19T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dan cox, wes moore, maryland, governor, republican, trump, 2026 election, marijuana, key bridge, affordability, news, local
## Dan Cox’s campaign strategy
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox avoids mentioning President Donald Trump in his campaign messaging.

> Cox’s campaign messaging this election avoids mentioning President Donald Trump.
## Cox’s Trump history
Cox served with Lawyers for Trump to try to overturn the 2020 election results and advertised buses to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

> Cox served with Lawyers for Trump to try to overturn the 2020 election results.
## Cox’s current focus
Cox emphasizes Maryland’s cost of living and bridge rebuilding, avoiding national issues like Trump’s impact on prices.

> Cox talks about affordability issues that he said were caused by Moore and Democrats.
## Moore’s lead
Gov. Wes Moore holds a 2-to-1 lead over Cox in recent polling for Maryland’s governor race.

> UMBC Poll: Moore leads Cox in race for governor by 2-to-1 margin
## Cox’s distancing efforts
Cox scrubbed 'Trump endorsed' from campaign materials and avoids mentioning Trump on his website and campaign literature.

> Trump’s name appears nowhere on Cox’s website and campaign literature.
## Trump’s unpopularity
Trump has a 36% job approval rating in Maryland, with 63% disapproving of his job performance.

> Trump’s job approval rating was measured at 36% by a poll from Gonzales Research & Marketing in January.
## Cox’s debate regret
Cox regretted calling then-Vice President Mike Pence a 'traitor' on social media in 2021.

> Cox regretted calling then-Vice President Mike Pence a 'traitor' on Jan. 6, 2021.
## Cox’s future stance
Cox says he will work with whoever is president but won’t be 'beholden' to Trump.

> Cox said he’d work with the president but he wouldn’t be 'beholden' to him.
## Key takeaway

Dan Cox, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, avoids mentioning Trump but his 2020 election denial history and ties to Trump remain central to Maryland's gubernatorial race.