House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) made clear that Democrats are fully engaged in countering Republican gerrymandering, poining to successful redistricting efforts in California and Virginia to push back against Republican efforts in Texas, Utah, Ohio, and Missouri. To be sure, redistricting will be central to the national political fight heading into the midterms.
In a recent interview with MS NOW host Jen Psaki, Jeffries turned the attention to an ongoing redistricting effort by Democrats in Maryland. He framed the push to redraw Maryland’s congressional map as part of a broader effort to counter what he described as an aggressive Republican gerrymandering strategy tied to Donald Trump. The effort, however, is currently stalled in the Maryland State Senate, despite having cleared the Maryland House of Delegates.
Jeffries praised Governor Wes Moore for backing the proposal and credited Democrats in the lower chamber for passing the legislation. The holdup, he acknowledged, rests with the Democratic majority in the State Senate. After meeting with State Senate President Bill Ferguson, Jeffries said he was told the votes may not be there to advance the bill.
His position, however, is straightforward: bring it to the floor anyway.
Jeffries Calls On Top Maryland Democrat To Vote On Redistricting Plan
Jeffries argued that the moment demands an up-or-down vote, even if the outcome is uncertain. In his view, failing to act would leave Democrats vulnerable as Republicans pursue redistricting efforts in states like Texas and elsewhere. He characterized the Maryland map as an opportunity to create a more competitive congressional landscape while preventing the Trump-led Republican attempt to rig the midterm elections through partisan mapmaking.
The Senate’s hesitation reflects the political complexity of redistricting—even within a Democratic-controlled state. But Jeffries signaled a call to action that is necessary in the current political environment. With control of the House potentially hanging in the balance, he is urging Ferguson to at least bring the legislation to the floor and allow for a vote.
Whether that vote happens may determine not just the shape of Maryland’s map, but the tenor of the national midterm fight.
