Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spent Thursday among the nation’s governors, collaborating on bipartisan solutions from a new role.

He attended the annual National Governors Association winter meeting as a member of the Council of Governors, a group of leaders from across the nation who work together on homeland security, disaster relief and military matters. Moore was appointed to the council late Wednesday by President Donald Trump.

“Governor Moore looks forward to the opportunity to serve,” his office said in a statement to The Sun Thursday morning.

“As an Army Combat Veteran, and the leader of the state during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Governor Moore will bring unique experience to this collaborative effort. The governor hopes to use this role to advocate for a renewed partnership between states and the federal government, to support service members and their families, and make us stronger and safer at home and abroad.”

The council, which was established in 2008, is made up of 10 governors — five Republicans and five Democrats.

Moore will join fellow Democratic leaders Gov. Kathy Hochul, of New York; Gov. Josh Stein, of North Carolina, co-chair of the council; Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania; and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, of Michigan.

The Republican representatives on the council include Gov. Glenn Youngkin, of Virginia, co-chair; Gov. Ron DeSantis, of Florida; Gov. Jeff Landry, of Louisiana; Gov. Brian Kemp, of Georgia; and Gov. Henry McMaster, of South Carolina.

Matt Foster, a professor of political science at American University, said groups like the council can be as effective as the president wants them to be. Organizations involving governors — like the National Governors Association — also tend to include serious, organized discussions compared to groups of other political officials, he said. However, given Trump’s approach, it’s probably not likely he will consider the governor’s work and advice through the council, Foster said.

“I do not foresee the Trump administration actually trying to implement any bipartisan policies. This is probably more for show, to say, ‘I’m trying to work across the aisle with governors,’” Foster said. “But from a governor’s perspective, I do believe there are some honest ideas to be exchanged and lessons to be learned.”

Moore, who is in his first term as Maryland governor and facing a tough year with an overwhelming state budget deficit, has said his administration plans to both collaborate with and combat against the Trump administration.

“We will vigorously defend the interests of all Marylanders, and we are ready to push back on this new administration when necessary,” Moore said to start a meeting with his cabinet at the State House after the election in November. “But, and importantly, where we can find common ground, we will — not only as a matter of principle, but as a responsibility to the people who we represent.”

The appointment comes at a time when a strong state and federal partnership is critical in Maryland, which heavily relies on the government sector for a big slice of its economy. More than 160,000 Marylanders are federal workers, and that figure doesn’t include military members or federal contractors. Moore has been especially concerned about recent cuts to the federal workforce, which disproportionately impacts Maryland.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse displayed the importance of a strong partnership between the state and federal government. There was an immediate need for aid and former President Joe Biden said he would urge Congress to fully fund the bridge replacement. Congress approved full funding shortly before the end of the year.

When Biden was facing calls to step aside in his reelection bid, it was Moore, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul who came to his defense during a news conference outside the White House on July 3.

“As governors, Joe Biden has always had our backs. And we’re going to have his back, as well,” Moore said in an X post. “We’ve got a clear choice to make come November. We stand united behind President Biden.”

At the time, Moore also said Trump’s vision for the future of the country was “downright dangerous.”

Moore is viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party and is among a shortlist of candidates who could lead Democrats to wins up and down the ballot in 2026 and 2028. Some analysts have pegged Moore as a potential presidential candidate.

Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, was the only other Maryland governor to serve on the council and was one of its co-chairs from 2010 to 2015. O’Malley led the state as a two-term governor from 2007 to 2015. He was Baltimore’s mayor for two terms before that. O’Malley recently led the Social Security Administration for a year during the Biden administration and on Feb. 1 lost a bid to be Democratic National Committee chair.

Sam Janesch contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Email nzimmerman@baltsun.com or politics editor Candy Woodall at cwoodall@baltsun.com.