Gov. Wes Moore considering ‘all options' in Maryland as other blue states fight in redistricting ‘war'
The Democratic governor also has not backed an effort in Maryland — spurred by some members of his party in the General Assembly — that would automatically begin the redistricting process if Texas or other states adopt new district maps outside of the normal once-in-a-decade endeavor.
'What we're seeing in Texas is nothing more than a desperate partisan power grab from the Trump Administration and Republicans to retain their tenuous dysfunctional majority in the House of Representatives,' Moore spokesman Carter Elliott IV said in a statement.
Elliott did not answer questions about whether Moore supports Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon's plan for the trigger legislation or whether the governor would consider calling a special session to pass it. Lawmakers are not set to return to the State House until their regular 90-day session beginning in January.
'Governor Moore will continue to evaluate all options as states around the country make decisions regarding redistricting,' Elliott said.
Some of those states ramped up their rhetoric in recent days — with Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul saying her state will 'not stand on the sidelines with the timid souls' and California Gov. Gavin Newsom saying he will call for a special election to have voters approve a new map that would boost Democrats.
'This is a war. We are at war. And that's why the gloves are off and I say, 'Bring it on,'' said Hochul, who is looking to redraw the lines, in a way that would favor Democrats, 'as soon as possible.'
In Texas, where Republicans have looked to pass a map more favorable to their cause because of President Donald Trump's pleas, state Democrats had escaped to New York, Boston and Chicago to avoid voting on the effort. Gov. Greg Abbott issued civil arrest warrants for the fleeing lawmakers, sparking the latest comments from Hochul and others on Monday.
'It's the gerrymandering in the blue states that has distorted the politics in America,' Abbott said Tuesday on Fox News, blaming Democrats while acknowledging Republicans' plan to create five new GOP-held seats in Texas.
In Maryland, Democratic leaders who control all aspects of state government have not yet gone as far as those in New York and California. There are also far fewer seats potentially at play.
California's 52 congressional districts are represented by 43 Democrats and nine Republicans. New York's 28 districts are held by 21 Democrats and seven Republicans.
The smaller population in Maryland is represented by seven Democrats and one Republican — with the single GOP seat covering Harford County, the Eastern Shore and part of Baltimore County. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a leader of the most conservative bloc in Congress in the House Freedom Caucus, has served in the district since 2011.
Maryland Democrats could look to carefully erode Harris' Republican support in the district if they draw new maps, potentially giving the dominant party an easier path to winning all eight Maryland seats.
Kick-starting that process would require support from Moore and the Democratic-controlled Maryland General Assembly.
House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones' office did not respond to a request for comment from The Baltimore Sun, though a key member of her leadership team — Moon, the majority leader — is behind the effort to push for redistricting in the state. Jones is also a board member of the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, whose top brass also called for states to fight back on Monday.
Senate President Bill Ferguson, meanwhile, echoed a similar message in a statement Tuesday.
'It's my sincere hope that we don't have to pursue this strategy, but at this point, nothing can be off the table,' Ferguson said. 'This is a dangerous road for democracy, and what's happening in Texas right now is peak dysfunction. Democracy deserves better.'
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