Top Maryland Dems urge state lawmakers to join redistricting effort

Democratic Leaders Push for Redistricting in Maryland

Maryland’s political landscape is heating up as Democratic Representatives Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin are stepping into the fray over the state’s redistricting process. Their recent involvement is aimed at pressuring state lawmakers and Senate President Bill Ferguson to consider a mid-decade redrawing of congressional maps in anticipation of the 2026 midterms.

On Monday, Hoyer and Raskin dispatched a four-page letter to the entire Maryland General Assembly. They framed their push for redistricting not merely as a political strategy but as a necessary response to what they describe as an “authoritarian attack on democratic elections and voting rights” by President Trump. They assert that it is an “ethical, moral, and political imperative” for the state to take action.

However, this effort has faced significant resistance in Maryland, particularly from Senate President Bill Ferguson, who has firmly rejected the idea of altering the congressional maps. In a recent letter addressed to numerous state legislators, Ferguson articulated his stance against the redistricting initiative, citing concerns that the Maryland Supreme Court—comprised of justices appointed by former Republican Governor Larry Hogan—might invalidate any newly drawn maps that favor Democrats. He cautioned that pursuing such a strategy could result in a “catastrophic” loss of Democratic seats.

In their letter, Hoyer and Raskin express their support for Governor Wes Moore’s newly announced redistricting advisory commission, which is set to gather public feedback on the issue. They contend that failing to act could allow Trump to manipulate the outcome of the 2026 congressional elections through aggressive gerrymandering. The lawmakers wrote, “We write today to applaud the governor’s redistricting initiative and urge you to move forward to explore what we can do as a state to help prevent the imminent disaster of President Trump determining the results of the 2026 congressional elections.”

While the state’s Democratic leaders, including Governor Moore and House Speaker Adrienne Jones, are in favor of exploring redistricting, Ferguson remains a key obstacle. His reluctance to engage with the initiative stems from a belief that the risks outweigh the potential benefits, raising questions about the political calculus at play.

Just two weeks prior, Ferguson’s letter to state lawmakers outlined his reasoning for opposing the redistricting efforts. He emphasized the risk of the courts nullifying any newly drawn maps, jeopardizing Democratic representation in the process. This has placed him at odds with party leaders eager to capitalize on recent victories in Virginia and New Jersey, which have heightened the urgency for action in Maryland.

In a recent appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Governor Moore, who has presidential aspirations for 2028, stated that Maryland should not remain passive while Republican-led states actively engage in redistricting. He questioned the fairness of Maryland adhering to a different set of rules than states like Texas and Florida, which have aggressively pursued redistricting opportunities.

As pressure mounts on Maryland’s political leadership to respond, Hoyer and Raskin’s letter directly addresses Ferguson, challenging his rationale for inaction. They remind him that while uncertainties in litigation exist, courts typically defer to the legislature’s constitutional authority over redistricting, allowing for opportunities to rectify any legal violations.

By highlighting the stakes of the upcoming elections and the implications of potential gerrymandering, Hoyer and Raskin aim to galvanize support within the Maryland General Assembly. They pose three critical questions to lawmakers regarding the necessity of redistricting in light of the perceived threat to American democracy, stating emphatically, “We believe the answer is yes.”

As the debate continues, Maryland finds itself at a crossroads, where the decisions of its legislative leaders could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress. The outcome remains uncertain, but the implications of inaction could reverberate far beyond state lines.