During a press conference on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) provided an update on Democrats’ efforts to push forward a redistricting plan that will effectively make Democrats competitive in the state’s only Republican district, currently held by Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD).
Although the redistricting plan passed the Maryland House of Delgates, it remains stalled in the Maryland State Senate, as Senate State President Bill Ferguson—a Democratic lawmaker—remains apprehensive about bringing the measure to the floor for a vote.
Speaking with reporters, Jeffries remarked on his meeting earlier that day with Governor Wes Moore, Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and other Democratic lawmakers in the Maryland House of Delegates to discuss the proposed map. He praised their leadership and said the plan would create a more competitive congressional landscape in the state.
Jeffries also mentioned that he met with Ferguson, where both sides outlined and articulated their positions. “I also had the opportunity to sit with Senate President Ferguson,” Jeffries stated. “He articulated his perspective, and I articulated our perspective.”
Jeffries Supports Democrat Efforts To Push Out Maryland’s Only Republican-Held District
According to Jeffries, Democratic leaders, including Governor Moore, believe the best path forward is to allow an up-or-down vote in the Maryland State Senate so state lawmakers can decide the issue transparently. “It’s our view—and I believe this is the view that has been clearly and decisively shared by Governor Wes Moore—that the best course of action at this moment is to allow an up-or-down vote in the Maryland State Senate so that we have an opportunity to move forward in a transparent way and see where things will land.”
When asked by a reporter whether Ferguson agreed to move forward with a vote, Jeffries said the State Senate president planned to consult with his caucus and that the outcome remained uncertain. “We’ll see what happens from there,” Jeffries concluded.
