Maryland Governor Wes Moore made waves on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by announcing the launch of a redistricting commission with the aim of redrawing the state’s congressional map. This move, seen as a direct response to Republican-led gerrymandering efforts in states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, signals Moore’s commitment to ensuring what he calls “fair maps” ahead of the crucial 2026 elections. But as with most things political, the path forward is anything but simple.
Moore’s announcement, covered by Democracy Docket and The Washington Post, comes at a time when the battle over congressional boundaries is heating up nationwide. While Democrats in states such as California and Virginia have acted swiftly to shore up their own representation in Congress, Moore faces a unique challenge: opposition from within his own party. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat with significant influence over legislative priorities, has publicly voiced his concerns about the risks associated with mid-cycle redistricting and the slim chances of actually gaining an additional seat for Democrats.
During an interview with podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen, Moore didn’t mince words about his motivation. “Maryland will not just sit on its hands while Donald Trump continues to pick and choose which states have fair maps and which states don’t,” Moore said. “When we know he’s just trying to rig the rules because he knows it’s the only way for him to win an election.” According to Moore, the commission’s work is about more than just political gamesmanship; it’s about restoring integrity to the democratic process—a message that resonates with many Marylanders who have watched the national debate over gerrymandering intensify.
The commission itself is a who’s who of Maryland Democratic politics. U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks will serve as chair, bringing her experience and visibility to the effort. Joining her are former Attorney General Brian Frosh, Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, and Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. Interestingly, Senate President Ferguson—despite his opposition—will also serve on the commission, perhaps as a nod to the importance of including dissenting voices in the process.
Moore’s plan is for the commission to hold a series of public hearings throughout the state, giving ordinary Marylanders a chance to weigh in on how their congressional districts should be drawn. By the end of 2025, the commission is expected to deliver its recommendations to the governor and state lawmakers, setting the stage for a potential legislative showdown in early 2026. Moore has made it clear that the goal is to have new, fair maps in place by the November 2026 elections, underscoring the urgency of the effort.
Yet, the opposition from Ferguson cannot be understated. He has argued that the risks of redrawing the map mid-cycle are simply too high, and that the chances of Democrats actually gaining an additional seat are slim. In a statement, Ferguson referred to the “overwhelming concern” about the effort, a sentiment echoed by some other Democratic lawmakers who worry that a failed redistricting push could backfire, either by prompting legal challenges or by undermining public trust in the process. Still, Ferguson’s willingness to serve on the commission suggests he’s not entirely shutting the door on the idea, even if he remains skeptical.
Meanwhile, Republicans are watching the process closely—and not without suspicion. U.S. Representative Andy Harris, whose district is widely seen as a target for Democratic redistricting efforts, slammed the commission as “obviously rigged from the start.” Harris’s criticism reflects a broader skepticism among Republicans that Democratic-led redistricting is any more fair or transparent than the GOP’s own efforts elsewhere. The battle over who gets to draw the lines is, at its core, a battle over who gets to hold power in Washington.
Maryland is hardly alone in grappling with these issues. Across the country, the fight over congressional maps has become a high-stakes game, with each party accusing the other of trying to tilt the playing field. In Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, Republican lawmakers have redrawn their maps this year in ways that could net the GOP several additional seats in Congress. Democrats, not wanting to be outmaneuvered, have responded in kind in states where they hold power. California and Virginia, for example, have both taken steps to add more Democratic seats, hoping to offset Republican gains elsewhere.
Moore’s decision to act now—rather than waiting for the next census in 2030—reflects a growing sense among Democrats that the old rules of the game no longer apply. The stakes in the 2026 midterms are simply too high, with control of the U.S. House of Representatives potentially hanging in the balance. As Moore put it, “We will have fair maps.” His words echo the frustration felt by many in his party, who see the current system as fundamentally broken.
But the process of redistricting is fraught with legal and political peril. Courts have sometimes stepped in to block maps they deem to be overly partisan, and public opinion can turn quickly if voters sense that politicians are putting their own interests ahead of those of the people. Moore’s commission, with its emphasis on public hearings and transparency, is clearly designed to address those concerns. By giving Marylanders a voice in the process, Moore hopes to build the kind of broad-based support that will be necessary to overcome both legal and political obstacles.
It’s worth noting that Maryland has a history of contentious redistricting battles. The state’s current map, drawn after the 2020 census, was itself the subject of lawsuits and heated debate. Critics have long accused both parties of using the redistricting process to entrench their own power, often at the expense of fair representation for voters. Moore’s commission, then, is both a response to national trends and a continuation of a long-running local debate.
As the commission gets to work, all eyes will be on Maryland to see whether Moore’s gamble pays off. Will the commission succeed in producing a map that is both fair and politically viable? Can Moore and his allies win over skeptics like Ferguson? And will the courts ultimately sign off on whatever plan emerges? These are questions that will shape the political landscape not just in Maryland, but across the country, as both parties jockey for advantage ahead of the next big election.
For now, Moore’s message is clear: Maryland won’t stand by while other states redraw the rules to their own advantage. By launching this commission, he’s betting that transparency, public input, and a willingness to take political risks are the best way forward. Whether that bet pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the fight over fair maps is far from over.
