Gov. Wes Moore’s military record dispute intensifies as rival offers full release

TOWSON, Md. (WBFF) — A Republican challenger is escalating stress on Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to release his full military record, turning a long-running query about transparency into a possible flashpoint within the 2026 governor’s race.

John Myrick, a Prince George’s County federal contracting guide in search of the GOP nomination, informed Spotlight on Maryland he’ll totally open his personal military file to the general public and is difficult Moore to do the identical.

The transfer reframs an ongoing dispute over Moore’s lack of transparency right into a direct political distinction. One Republican candidate is providing unrestricted entry to his data, whereas the Democratic incumbent continues to withhold his data and has repeatedly refused to reply Spotlight’s questions on his military service.

“Maryland voters need to be informed about the candidates [who] “They are seeking offices at all levels,” Myrick said. “That’s the only way you can actually make sure you’re getting representation that actually meets your needs.”

A record offered, a record requested

Myrick made his case publicly this week, backing it up with a formal authorization sent to Spotlight on Maryland Friday morning, granting media outlets full access to his military records.

“I have no problem releasing my full military record to any news outlet that requests it,” Myrick mentioned, including that he would accomplish that “whenever you want it.”

The authorization permits the National Personnel Records Center and the Air Force to release his full Official Military Personnel File, together with DD-214 and DD-215 kinds, citations and data tied to fight and non-combat deployments.

“Iauthorize the National Personnel Records Center, a branch of the National Archives and Records Administration, to release to any authorized media outlet upon presentation of this Authorization, all of my military records,” Myrick wrote.

“I also hereby authorize the US Department of the Air Force to release to any authorized media outlet, upon presentation of this Authorization, any records pertaining to combat and non-combat service or deployments,” Myrick added.

Myrick, who describes himself as a “decorated combat veteran,” mentioned he served 23 years within the Air Force, together with as a flight engineer aboard a C-5 Galaxy plane and later in intelligence work with the Defense Intelligence Agency on the Pentagon.

He is now calling on Moore to match that degree of disclosure.

ALSO READ | As Wes Moore demands transparency, his own records remain hidden

Besides Myrick, businessman and Baltimore Blast proprietor Ed Hale additionally served within the military. Spotlight on Maryland could have extra protection subsequent week on Hale’s data.

Historically, military service is commonly seen as a cornerstone of public belief and carries explicit weight when candidates spotlight it as a part of their {qualifications} for political workplace.

Scrutiny intensifies when inconsistencies are found, and when data stay hidden, and questions stay unanswered.

Scrutiny on Moore’s restricted disclosures

Questions about Moore’s military background have circulated for yearshowever have resurfaced In current months as requests for his full record stay unresolved.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 09: Wes Moore, Governor of the State of Maryland and a possible future presidential candidate, greets supporters in the course of the National Action Network (NAN) annual conference on April 09, 2026, in New York City. The 2026 annual conference of NAN brings politicians, civil rights leaders, group advocates, and others collectively for 4 days of discussions and panels. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

To date, 34 paperwork associated to Moore’s military service have been obtained by a public data request filed with the Army.

The governor’s workplace has supplied one extra doc immediately. But a broader request from Spotlight on Maryland—in search of full military, educational and athletic data—has been pending for months with out decision.

When pressed in March, Moore defended his approach.

“We continue to show transparency on everything and all things,” Moore mentioned throughout an unrelated information convention in Hagerstown.

ALSO READ | ‘They shouldn’t be’: Moore dodges question on poll concerns due to dishonesty, leadership

Moore has repeatedly framed transparency as a core precept of his administration, together with shortly after his November 2022 election when he appeared at a information convention with then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican.

“This is going to be an administration that is going to be transparent,” Moore mentioned on the time.

Promises and delays

Despite these assurances, the requested data haven’t been launched.

HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND – MARCH 23: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore arrives for a roundtable on March 23, 2026 in Hagerstown, Maryland. Moore and Rep. April McClain-Delaney (D-Md.) held a gathering with Washington County group leaders to debate their considerations a couple of deliberate US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention warehouse close to Williamsport, Maryland as a part of the Trump administration’s enlargement of holding services throughout the nation. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

To his boss’s protection, Ammar Moussa, Moore’s press secretary, mentioned in March, “We’ll come back to you with those records.”

Our crew and your crew are in energetic negotiations,” Moussa mentioned. “We will come back to you.”

Spotlight on Maryland doesn’t negotiate phrases of release, and “active negotiations” by no means occurred.

A request for remark despatched Friday by Moore’s marketing campaign, asking why the data haven’t been totally launched, was not acknowledged.

Moore is scheduled to look Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” which airs at 10 pm on HBO. The present is taped weekly on Friday mornings at CBS Television’s studios in Los Angeles, in response to the present’s web site.

Political technique or public curiosity?

Myrick rejected the concept that his push is only political, arguing the difficulty goes to the core of public belief.

“I think it does [matter]and it matters because integrity matters,” Myrick mentioned. “We are asking people to trust us with governing the State of Maryland. So integrity is a big issue.”

“If there are questions about someone’s background, especially their military record, those questions need to be resolved,” Myrick added. “Marylanders have a right to know.”

Send information recommendations on this story or others to gmcollins@sbgtv.com or contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.

Follow Gary Collins on x and instagram. Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, DC, and The Baltimore Sun.