Democratic leaders in Maryland are considering a congressional redistricting that could result in eight Democrats representing the state in Congress, Politico reported Nov. 9.
The state’s current congressional delegation has seven Democrats and one Republican, First District Rep. Andy Harris. Prior to the 2010 redistricting, there were two Republicans representing Maryland, one in western Maryland and one in the First District, which includes the Eastern Shore.
The Maryland General Assembly, with solid Democratic majorities, will have the final say on the districts for Congress, Maryland Senate, and Maryland House of Delegates.
The legislature’s redistricting advisory commission has additional public hearings scheduled through mid-November, but is expected to release a draft congressional map this week, according to Politico.
A citizens redistricting commission appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan has completed its work and proposed a congressional map with six Democratic districts and two Republican districts.
The General Assembly will begin meeting Dec. 6 in a special session to map the congressional districts.
Alice M.Barron says
Six to two…. Oh Yeah that’s FAIR … NOT! sounds like the Ravens.
Emmett Duke says
Here are some facts. Prior to the 2000 Redistricting, there were four Democrats and four Republicans representing Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republicans were Connie Morella, Roscoe Bartlett, Helen Bentley, and Wayne Gilchrest.
If we count our two Democrats in the Senate, there are 10 members of Congress from Maryland. The Eastern Shore is represented by the only Republican from Maryland in the U.S. Congress. As you can see, the pendulum has almost hit the wall.
Maryland’s voter registration is about 2 to 1 Democrats over Republicans (67%) and our Congressional representation is 9 to 1 (90%). Gerrymandering during the redistricting process is the reason.
The last I heard, Maryland is the 2nd worst gerrymandered state of the 50. This may be the time to make it a little more equitable.
David Hanlin says
Actually, the Governor’s Redistricting Commission was prohibited from considering the political affiliate of the citizens of the district. Likewise, it was prohibited from considering where incumbents live. His Commission was comprised of 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 3 non-affiliated. There were actually 3 chairs reflecting the same distribution of party affiliation. The same cannot be said of the committee comprised of leaders of the General Assembly.
John East says
This is not about anyone person in office. Many Republicans had high regard for our last Democratic Congressman Frank Kratovil. This is not about anyone one politician, but restoring the purpose of the People’s House. A choice, not an echo, if you will.
The 1st District lines as they stand now (before this redistricting)have been unfair to Democrats for years. The reason they were drawn that way was because Ehrlich became Governor when he was a Congressman from the 2nd District which was then also a swing district. At that time, the 2nd District had access to the Baltimore media market, so the powers that be decided to redraw the lines to make the chances of another Republican governor more difficult. Democrats in the 1st District suffered as a result.
The solution now is not to make lines unfair in another direction. The solution is to have lines which respect communities. I am a partisan, but I want to be fair to everyone in our community and to the Framers’ intent. I also happen to believe that more swing districts (all things being equal) mean better politicians, more thoughtful compromise and an instinct to forge compromise, and less vitriol.
What was so bad about Connie Morella? In the 6th District, poor Rep. Trone(D-MD) has the unenviable task of representing Montgomery County and Appalachia. That’s unfair to voters in Montgomery County and it is unfair to voters in Western Maryland.
Whether we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents we all have an interest in Non-Partisan Redistricting. It’s actually in all of our best interest.
John East says
This is not about anyone person in office. Many Republicans had high regard for our last Democratic Congressman Frank Kratovil. This is not about anyone one politician but restoring the purpose of the People’s House. A choice, not an echo, if you will.
The 1st District lines as they stand now (before this redistricting) have been unfair to Democrats for years. The reason they were drawn that way was because Ehrlich became Governor when he was a Congressman from the 2nd District which was then also a swing district. At that time, the 2nd District had access to the Baltimore media market, so the powers that be decided to redraw the lines to make the chances of another Republican governor more difficult. Democrats in the 1st District suffered as a result.
The solution now is not to make lines unfair in another direction. The solution is to have lines which respect communities. I am a partisan, but I want to be fair to everyone in our community and to the Framers’ intent. I also happen to believe that more swing districts (all things being equal) mean better politicians, more thoughtful compromise and an instinct to forge compromise, and less vitriol.
What was so bad about Connie Morella? In the 6th District, poor Rep. Trone(D-MD) has the unenviable task of representing Montgomery County and Appalachia. That’s unfair to voters in Montgomery County and it is unfair to voters in Western Maryland.
Whether we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents we all have an interest in Non-Partisan Redistricting. It’s actually in all of our best interest.