BALTIMORE —

Ed Hale, a lifelong Democrat, already said he intends to run for governor next year.

Now, he is switching parties.

"I'm here to announce that I'm going to run for governor as a Republican," Hale announced Wednesday morning at the Canton Waterfront Park, where he started a trucking business in 1975.

After ruling out a run as an Independent, Hale said he is a moderate who is running on issues that Republicans embrace. Hale cited internal polling showing he could not run as a Democrat and beat incumbent Democratic Gov. Wes Moore.

Hale's colorful life includes stints in the military and the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as his banking and shipping businesses. He is also the current owner of the Baltimore Blast soccer team.

"I like building things. I like making things.

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