Overview
- Senate President Bill Ferguson told Democrats the chamber will not pursue mid-decade congressional redistricting, halting a potential special session.
- He said a new map could trigger fresh lawsuits and give courts latitude to strike down or redraw districts, citing the 2022 Szeliga v. Lamone experience.
- Ferguson argued a Maryland remap could prompt GOP-led states to retaliate, erasing any national Democratic gains and worsening their outlook.
- The decision exposes a split among Maryland Democrats as Gov. Wes Moore and House Speaker Adrienne Jones had backed exploring a plan to target Rep. Andy Harris’s 1st District; the current delegation is 7–1 Democratic.
- Nationally, Republicans in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have enacted new maps after Trump’s push, California voters weigh Prop 50 next week, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he expects Maryland to respond soon.