WBAL-TV and WBAL NewsRadio to Air Only Debate in the 2026 Maryland Gubernatorial Campaign

By Paul Greeley

WBAL-TV and WBAL NewsRadio will provide extensive coverage of the only scheduled debate in the 2026 Maryland gubernatorial campaign between Democratic incumbent Gov. Wes Moore and Republican challenger Dan Cox.

Produced by Maryland Public Television, the debate will be recorded live-to tape and air Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 7 to 8 p.m. and will be moderated by WBAL-TV 11 News Anchor, Jason Newton.

The 2026 Maryland Gubernatorial debate will air in Baltimore on both WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL NewsRadio. WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL NewsRadio will join Maryland Public Television, NBC4 Washington (WRC-TV), and public media stations WHUT and WETA in presenting the debate.

C-SPAN will also air it nationally beginning at 7 p.m. Viewers and listeners can stream the debate on WBALTV.com, WBAL.com, the WBAL-TV 11 app, the WBAL NewsRadio app, and Hearst’s Very Local video streaming platform. MPT will have an encore broadcast of the debate at 11 p.m.

Scheduled panelists include Jeff Salkin, News Anchor, Maryland Public Television; Tracee Wilkins, Investigative Reporter, NBC4 Washington; and Pamela Wood, Maryland Politics Reporter, The Baltimore Banner.

“We are honored to air Maryland’s only scheduled gubernatorial debate,” said Dan Joerres, President and General Manager of WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL NewsRadio. “As a local broadcaster, we have a responsibility to give voters a fair opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, consider their ideas, and make informed decisions about the future of our state.”

The debate will give Maryland voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates as they discuss the issues shaping the state’s future.

As part of Hearst Television’s award-winning Commitment 2026 political coverage, WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL NewsRadio will provide coverage, analysis, and reaction before and after the debate across television, radio, digital platforms, and social media.

Paul Greeley is the manager and a writer for News Blues.

He can be reached at Paul@NewsBlues.com or 817-578-6324.