Maryland Governor Pushes for Congressional Redistricting, Citing Trump‘s Influence
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Wes moore is advocating for a mid-cycle redrawing of the state’s congressional map, arguing it’s a necessary response to perceived Republican efforts to manipulate district lines in other states.Moore‘s push comes amid a national debate over redistricting and accusations of partisan gerrymandering.
The governor’s stance follows similar moves by Democrats in other states, notably california, where a ballot measure (Prop 50) passed Tuesday with over 60% of the vote to potentially gain up to five Democratic seats. This action, Moore suggested at a rally Saturday, was prompted by what he called a wake-up call from Texas and other states. Republican-led legislatures in Missouri and North Carolina have also recently pursued redistricting efforts aimed at increasing their party’s representation in Congress.
Maryland’s current congressional delegation consists of eight Democrats and one Republican. A redistricting effort would target the single Republican-held seat in the eastern part of the state.
A commission chaired by U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and comprised of Senate President Bill Ferguson, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, former Attorney General Brian Frosh and Cumberland mayor Raymond Morriss, would oversee the process. Though,Maryland law gives the state Assembly,where Democrats hold a supermajority,the final authority to draw congressional maps,requiring Moore to call a special session to initiate the effort.
Despite Moore’s insistence, the proposal faces internal opposition. senate President Bill Ferguson has expressed concerns about the legal risks,timeline,and potential negative consequences for democrats,stating last week that recent election victories demonstrate “we don’t need to rig the system to win.”
Moore addressed these concerns Sunday, stating, “Fighting for democracy is never risky.” He acknowledged agreement with Ferguson on the “crisis that Donald Trump has put us in,” but emphasized a difference in urgency. “Where we differ is the urgency that this moment requires, the fight that this moment requires,” Moore said. “And I personally am someone who is not going to allow Donald Trump to determine whether or not Maryland follows this idea of saying, are we going to do everything we can to make sure we’re preserving our democracy.”
