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Maryland Republicans could be wiped out of the state’s congressional delegation under a newly proposed redistricting map, per Newsweek.
On Tuesday (January 20), the state’s redistricting advisory commission, created by Gov. Wes Moore in November, voted in a private meeting to recommend a new congressional map that would likely shift all eight of Maryland’s U.S. House seats to Democrats. The proposal has now been sent to Moore for consideration.
Democrats currently hold seven of Maryland’s eight House seats. Under the new map, the 1st Congressional District, which covers the Eastern Shore and is represented by Republican Rep. Andy Harris, would be redrawn to include more Democratic-leaning areas, potentially costing Republicans their only remaining seat in the state. Harris has represented the district since 2011.
The move comes amid a broader national redistricting battle, with both parties attempting to redraw maps to gain an edge ahead of the midterms. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Supporters of the proposal argue Maryland must respond aggressively as Republican-led states redraw their own maps. Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, chair of the governor’s panel, said the state has a responsibility to act.
“At a moment when other states are moving aggressively to redraw maps, and when fundamental voting rights protections face renewed threats, Maryland has a responsibility to lead with urgency,” Alsobrooks said. “Our goal is to ensure our congressional delegation reflects the will of the people and gives Marylanders a Congress that can serve as a real check on this President.”
Republicans arguing against the proposal say the move is unconstitutional.
“This is exactly what we expected: an extremely gerrymandered, unconstitutional map,” Maryland GOP Chair Nicole Beus Harris said in a statement. “Despite overwhelming public opposition, Wes Moore’s rigged redistricting commission produced this result. Republicans in the General Assembly will fight this every step of the way, and if it’s passed, the MDGOP looks forward to defeating this gerrymander in court.”
The proposed map must still be approved by both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly before it can take effect. The filing deadline for congressional maps ahead of the November midterm elections is February 24.
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