Overview
- Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson told Democrats in a Tuesday letter that he will not call a special session to redraw the state’s congressional map before the next Census.
- Ferguson wrote that mid‑cycle redistricting carries legal risks that are too high and a dangerous timeline, warning the downside for Democrats could be catastrophic.
- He cautioned that reopening the map could spur lawsuits that let courts strike or even redraw the lines, pointing to the 2022 Szeliga v. Lamone ruling that labeled an earlier map extreme partisan gerrymandering.
- The decision breaks with Gov. Wes Moore and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, who favored pursuing a redraw as national parties wage mid‑decade mapping fights; recent pressure included a Democratic campaign poll testing support for action.
- Ferguson argued any Democratic gain in Maryland—now a 7‑1 delegation with interest in targeting the 1st District—could be offset by retaliatory moves in GOP‑run states, and he urged focus on 2026 policy priorities such as health care access, election protection and immigrant support.