Maryland's Democratic leaders have approved a proposal to redraw congressional districts, potentially eliminating the state's only Republican-held U.S. House seat ahead of the 2026 midterms. The plan, recommended by a governor-appointed commission, would reshape the 1st District to favor Democrats. While supporters cite population changes and actions in other states, critics from both parties warn of partisan overreach and legal risks.
On Wednesday, the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission, led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks and appointed by Governor Wes Moore, voted 3-2 to endorse a new congressional map concept. This non-binding recommendation now moves to the Democratic-controlled General Assembly, where it would require legislative approval to become law. If enacted, the changes could give Democrats all eight of Maryland's U.S. House seats.
The proposal focuses on the 1st Congressional District, held by Republican Representative Andy Harris, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus. It would extend the district across the Chesapeake Bay, stripping away conservative areas like Harford and Cecil counties on the Eastern Shore and adding Democratic-leaning parts of Anne Arundel and Howard counties, including areas near Columbia. Proponents argue this addresses population shifts and counters partisan redistricting elsewhere. Governor Moore has described the process as transparent, stating that Maryland cannot "unilaterally disarm" amid similar efforts in other states. He mentioned reviewing the plan after talks with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Washington, D.C.
Republicans decry the move as blatant gerrymandering. Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey labeled it "a partisan power grab disguised as reform…designed to silence dissent and cement one-party rule." Harris's office has threatened lawsuits, claiming the plan disrupts communities for political gain.
Even some Democrats express doubts. Senate President Bill Ferguson cautioned that the map might be "objectively unconstitutional," prone to challenges for splitting communities and altering lines mid-decade. Maryland's districts have faced court battles before, suggesting more litigation ahead.
This effort contrasts with Indiana, where in December 2025, lawmakers rejected a Trump-supported redistricting bid that aimed for a 9-0 Republican delegation. The Indiana Senate's 31-19 vote preserved the current 7-2 GOP advantage, drawing Trump's ire and vows of primary challenges. Though speculation ties the two states' actions, no evidence supports any pact. As 2026 nears, such maneuvers highlight redistricting's role in House control fights.
