Attn:
Maryland House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Chairwoman / Delegate Anne Healey, LD 22
Vice Chair/ Delegate Marvin Holmes Holmes , Jr. , LD 23
Hello Delegate / Chairwoman Healey & Delegate / Vice Chair Holmes, Jr. :
We respectfully write to the House rules committee regarding MD 2026 HB 488 Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Opposition) in strong opposition.
This process Governor Moore started in November of 2025, answering to the “National Political Scene” and his clear desire to run for President in 2028 has never been more “clearly evident”….
Creating a “Redistricting Commission” led by US Senator and former Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, held hearings that were all “online” were not broadcated live for the public to watch in real time. These hearings went till December.
In Mid December the commission voted 3-2 to go forward with “Redistricting” the States coogresional map. This commission held a meeting that day that was not open to the”Public” and had been accused of having a “Pre Determined” Outcome”…
The ” new map” being proposed “The concept map overhauls the 1st District — the state’s lone Republican district, held by GOP Rep. Andy Harris. While the district currently includes the Eastern Shore, Cecil, and part of eastern Baltimore County, the conceptual map would have it stretching from the Eastern Shore over the Bay Bridge through Anne Arundel County and into part of Columbia in Howard County. The shift moves more liberal Democrats into the district held by Harris, the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Changes to districts held by Democrats do not appear to threaten control of those seats.” 01-21-26 Maryland Matters . Should this map pass, it would ensure Maryland’s Congressional Map would be 8-0 Democrat…
This entire ” process” has been met with criticism, The Washington Post Editorial Board said the following.
“Wes Moore embarrasses Maryland with his gerrymandering ploy,” condemning the Governor’s push for mid-cycle redistricting.” Washington Post Editorial Board 11-07-2025
In addition is being opposed by the Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, LD 46 who was on the commission, who voted against the commission moving forward.
“What we know is the attorney general has said that it’s going to be about 120 days at least to prepare for a case in the world that a redistricting bill moves forward. That means that the window for action has already closed.
The filing deadline is February 23 for congressional races. That is well-past 120 days. And so really, we’ve missed the window to do anything. And if we tried to do something now, it would be even more constitutionally challenging because of the lack of timeliness of acting.”
Maryland Senate President LD 46 Bill Ferguson 01-13-2026
Governor Moore has defended this process & the job the Commission did to get to this point…
“I can respond to the Washington Post in five letters, ‘IDGAF,'” Gov. Moore said.
The Washington Post opinion piece said Moore is trying to “pretend he’s being principled” and “disenfranchise Republican constituents.” Maryland Governor Wes Moore 11-12-2025 CBS Baltimore
Then last week Governor Moore went to Washington to meet with United States Congressman & Democrat House Leader Hakeem Jefferies, NY, CD 8 to put “Political Pressure” on Senate President Ferguson to move forward with the proposed map…
“Moore met with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. He told reporters that Ferguson should use his authority as Senate president to bring the map to a vote.
“My job is not to get around one person. That is not how democracy works,” Moore said. “I believe the Senate president believes in democracy, and I believe he’s going to show us that with this vote.”
Jeffries said redrawing Maryland’s map is necessary to ensure fairness nationwide after President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-led states such as Texas, Ohio and North Carolina to redraw their districts last year to favor of the GOP.” 01-24-26 WBAL News Radio
So from all of this, is why we again respectfully ask for an unfavorable report from the House rules committee for MD 2026 HB 488 Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Opposition) please do the right thing for Maryland, and not for Governor Moore’s 2028 campaign for President…