Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated Sunday that several statewide races in the historically Republican South are now "in play" for Democrats, admitting the party has "made mistakes in not investing earlier" in the region.

Moore, speaking on ABC News' "This Week," suggested that this underinvestment has persisted for "this generation," contributing to a lack of history-making candidates emerging from these areas. He argued that this pattern is not due to a lack of qualified individuals but rather chronic underfunding.

"We've seen some movement, especially in the South -- talk of Florida potentially being in play, Mississippi, South Carolina," Moore said, confirming they are indeed competitive. He elaborated that the assignment for Democrats is not merely to elect history-making candidates, but to win and implement policies that improve people's lives.

Moore pointed to his own experience as the third African American governor in U.S. history, attributing his election not to unique qualifications but to historical underinvestment in the region. He expressed optimism about Democratic prospects in November, noting that the party's base is not only energized but also enlarged.

Recent polling indicates that Democratic candidates are performing strongly in top-tier races in states like Texas, Iowa, Kansas, and Alaska, even leading their Republican opponents. More recent data suggests that races in states considered more firmly Republican, such as Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi, are closer than anticipated.

Moore highlighted his personal investment in the campaign of Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa. He emphasized that candidates like Hinojosa, Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, and Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina have a real chance to win and improve conditions for their constituents, citing healthcare, child poverty, and wage increases as key issues.

Moore predicted a successful election for Democrats, stating that voters are seeking leadership that offers a "new direction" beyond simply opposing former President Donald Trump's "corruption."

He observed this enthusiasm not only within Maryland during his own re-election campaign but also while campaigning for other "common-sense leaders" nationwide, indicating a broad desire for forward-looking governance.