Democrats are inching toward a mid-decade redistricting in Maryland, one of the few blue states with the ability to counter Republicans’ gerrymandering spree.
Maryland’s eight-member congressional delegation is almost entirely Democratic, save for GOP Rep. Andy Harris on the state’s Eastern Shore. The Democratic members plan to meet in the next few weeks to discuss a push for a new map. Several of them have already signaled support for a plan that would target Harris’ seat.
“It’s being discussed, obviously,” Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said. “If we could do it, I’d be supportive.”
Democrats haven’t made any major moves in Annapolis or D.C. But key Maryland players, including Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and legislative leaders, have signaled interest.
In Congress, Democrats are seething over Missouri’s push this week to muscle through a new map targeting Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-Mo.) Kansas City-area seat.
“The Missouri legislature is meeting with the explicit and sole purpose of trying to draw Congressman Cleaver out of his district,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said. “Our delegation hasn’t met yet, but we are going to meet to discuss what we should do about this.”
Democrats have a supermajority in Maryland. But there are two main roadblocks to redistricting in the Free State.
First, members of the delegation would have to agree to give up Democratic voters. This could be particularly touchy for Rep. Sarah Elfreth, who represents Annapolis, and Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who represents Baltimore. Their seats could change significantly to make Harris’ district bluer.
More importantly, there are Maryland state courts. Democrats already tried to draw Harris out of his district in 2022 only to see that map struck down as an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander in a state circuit court. The case never made it to Maryland’s Supreme Court, but it may not be more favorable. Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan appointed five of the seven justices there.
Meanwhile, Republicans are also expanding their efforts to draw new red seats.
Indiana. There’s increasing bullishness in GOP circles that Hoosier State Republicans will move forward with redistricting. The White House has been waging a pressure campaign to get Indiana lawmakers on board, including hosting a group in the Oval Office last week.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) told us he’s heard from state legislators that the White House meeting persuaded them to move forward. Stutzman said the pitch was focused on policies Trump could pursue with a GOP House majority.
If Indiana does go ahead, there’s still the question of whether Republicans would try to pick up one seat or two. The state’s delegation currently has seven Republicans and two Democrats. Stutzman predicted a bigger push, saying it “would not be hard to draw 9-0 maps in Indiana.”
Kansas. There’s redistricting chatter picking up in Kansas, where Republicans have a supermajority in the state legislature.
Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) told us he discussed redistricting with Kansas’ House and Senate leaders over the August recess.
“I know Missouri’s actively involved in it now,” Estes said. “So I’m sure it’s going to come up a little bit more in discussion in Kansas as well.”
