UPDATE: Maryland House of Delegates Passes Redistricting Bill – Republicans on Eastern Shore outraged

MARYLAND. – In an update, the Maryland House of Delegates passed House Bill 488 on Monday, which would allow Maryland to redistrict its congressional map. It passed in the House by a vote of 99-37, the legislation on the proposed map will now be sent to the Senate. WMDT spoke with several state officials, including Delegate Hutchinson who explains why this is devastating to the Eastern Shore.

“They said that this was a transparent process, there was nothing fair and transparent about it,” said Delegate Hutchinson.

Governor Wes Moore created a ‘Redistricting Advisory Commission’ in order to gather input and recommend changes to the congressional maps.

Delegate Wayne Hartman told WMDT, just because other states are changing districts doesn’t mean Maryland should.

“This is all just in reaction to Texas and the things happening around the country. I remember my mother would always say, you go home and say well Johnny did it. Just because someone else did, doesn’t mean you have to do it.”

The Maryland Senate Chamber will hold the ultimate power to pass the potential reworked maps. The discourse revolves around timing and the need for redistricting for mid-cycle.

Senator Johnny Mautz calls out the commission created by Governor Moore. He said how they went about the process was a bit deceiving. “It’s been political from the beginning, you know the commission that was created, there was no in-person meetings, it was kind of done in the dark of night. You know the decision was already made before the commission was created.”

Republican Senator Mary Beth Carozza expresses her opinion on what redistricting could look like. She says there is encouragement due to Senate President Bill Ferguson opposing redistricting.

“I’m encouraged that Senate President Bill Ferguson opposes moving forward with redistricting. So the top Democrat leader in the Senate is taking a position to the opposition of the Governor’s office. That is very significant.”

Senator Carozza also sent WMDT a statement: “The proposed map would heavily alter District 1, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the only district in Maryland currently represented by a Republican, Andy Harris. “This map has nothing to do with what Maryland needs, and everything to do with D.C. politics. “Rural representation matters, and this map would eliminate a voice in the Congressional Delegation for the Eastern Shore.” 

The potential re-districting would make it significantly more competitive for the Democratic Party. It would move districts to more Democratic-leaning areas, removing parts of the northern Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake Bay into Anne-Arundel and Howard Counties on the Western Shore.

The move directly threatens District 1, Congressman Andy Harris, who tells WMDT why he thinks the recent events happened. “Of course, it is all driven by the Governor who wants to be President and is competing with Gavin Newsome from California and other Governors to do mid-cycle redistricting.” He continues – “I think it’s unfortunate that 1 million Republican voters in Maryland will be left without any Representatives in Congress. I don’t think that’s real democracy. I think real democracy would be 2 or 3 Republicans representing Maryland in Congress.”

Congressman Harris, much like state Senator Carozza, has shown confidence in the Senate not taking up the proposal map. He tells WMDT, if it were passed, it would be taken to the courts.

Redistricting has already happened in states like California via Proposition 50. In Texas, some Republicans hoped to add five GOP-friendly seats. They pushed for redistricting, and the move was backed by President Donald Trump.

Delegate Barry Beauchamp sounded off to WMDT, after taking a stand against the maps in session. “I stood up on the house floor last night, and said this is truly taxation without representation is what this truly is,” said Delegate Beauchamp.

Senator Mautz said that all members of the Eastern Shore Delegation voted against it. “When you look at the vote, and you see the entire shore delegation including Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes voting no. That should send a message.”

Delegate Sample-Hughes is the only Democrat on the Eastern Shore, and she voted against the issue. “Because I’ve been on both sides of the issue – and I wouldn’t want anyone to silence my voice. and have had people who have attempted to do that. I know what it feels like.”

The bill now goes to the Maryland Senate for its first reading. For updates on the bill’s progress through the Maryland General Assembly, click here.

This article was originally published on Jan. 19 at 4:49 p.m.