Posted on 08/20/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 20, 2025 - Ed Hale Sr. announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland on Wednesday morning.
The announcement took place at Canton Waterfront Park.
Hale outlined his vision and priorities for the state, and focused on economic growth, public safety, education, and quality of life.
The owner of the Baltimore Blast, Hale is now 78-years-old, and originally announced his intentions to run for governor as a Democrat in May.
"I was the worker kid, cutting the grass, painting houses, things like that," he said in May.
The self-made businessman has a wide range of professional experience. With no family money or college education, he went on to join the military before becoming the CEO of First Mariner bank, which went bankrupt during the Great Recession and was later acquired by Howard Bank. Hale also ran several shipping companies and is credited for developing the Canton Waterfront after building the 17-story tower that currently houses CareFirst.
Now setting his sights on the state’s highest political seat, the life-long Marylander says his decision to run came after briefly considering a move to New Hampshire.
“I was thinking about over the last, I guess the last two or three years, that I was going to leave here because I can't stand the taxation and just the way that the government is run. To the extent that I really was unhappy,” he said, “And really thinking about it, I didn't want to leave because I am all in for Maryland.”
You can watch his full formal announcement on his run for governor here:
So far, Republican John Myrick of Prince George’s County is the only gubernatorial contender to file his candidacy papers. Meanwhile, many are still waiting to see if former Governor Larry Hogan will throw his hat in the ring.