Maryland House Committee Approves Congressional Redistricting Plan

Proposed map aims to add another Democratic seat to the state's House delegation.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm

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A Maryland House of Delegates committee has given preliminary approval to a congressional redistricting bill based on recommendations from the governor's redistricting commission. The proposed map would split the Eastern Shore district represented by Republican Andy Harris and attach it to Democratic sections of Howard and Anne Arundel counties, with the goal of adding one more Democratic seat to the state's House delegation.

Why it matters

Redistricting is a highly contentious political process that can significantly impact the balance of power in Congress. This move by Maryland Democrats is seen as an attempt to counter Republican gains in other states through gerrymandering.

The details

The redistricting bill passed the House committee along party lines. Democratic Delegate CT Wilson said the goal is to "counter Republican gains in other states", while Republican Delegate Jeff Ghrist argued the new map would "disenfranchise Republican voters" on the Eastern Shore.

  • The House of Delegates committee gave preliminary approval to the redistricting bill on January 31, 2026.

The players

Andy Harris

Republican Congressman representing Maryland's Eastern Shore district.

CT Wilson

Democratic Delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Jeff Ghrist

Republican Delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates representing the Eastern Shore.

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What they’re saying

“I'm presuming whoever is elected will have to move to the middle and is going to have to fight against this. I don't know how many times I have to say this. So when you ask why we are doing this, and 'Will it help?' Without a doubt.”

— CT Wilson, Democratic Delegate (wbal.com)

“The only thing that is moving to the center is we're going to have more elected officials being elected from the center of Maryland between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore City.”

— Jeff Ghrist, Republican Delegate (wbal.com)

What’s next

The redistricting bill will now move to the full Maryland House of Delegates for a vote.

The takeaway

This partisan redistricting battle in Maryland highlights the ongoing national debate over gerrymandering and its impact on the democratic process. The proposed map changes could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.