Maryland Senate President Ferguson Rejects Gov. Moore's Redistricting Plan

Ferguson says moving forward with new maps could backfire and lead to a court-ordered redrawing that costs Democrats seats.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is refusing to bring the state's newly proposed congressional district maps up for a vote in the upper chamber, despite pressure from Democratic Gov. Wes Moore to do so. Ferguson argues that the current map should be maintained to avoid a court-ordered redrawing that could cost Democrats seats in the state's congressional delegation.

Why it matters

The battle over redistricting in Maryland is a high-stakes political fight that could have major implications for the balance of power in Congress. Democrats currently hold 7 of the state's 8 congressional seats, and Ferguson is concerned that a court-ordered redrawing of the district lines could jeopardize that advantage.

The details

Ferguson, a Democrat who represents Baltimore City, says the Maryland state constitution has not changed and that moving forward with the new maps 'backfires' and 'weakens our current map.' He believes a court could throw out the current map and redraw the lines in a way that causes Democrats to lose seats. Gov. Moore has repeatedly called on Ferguson to allow a vote on the new maps in the Senate, but Ferguson is holding firm in his refusal.

  • On January 28, 2026, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson spoke out against Gov. Moore's redistricting plan on a radio show.

The players

Bill Ferguson

The Democratic President of the Maryland State Senate, who represents Baltimore City and is refusing to bring the state's new congressional district maps up for a vote in the upper chamber.

Wes Moore

The Democratic Governor of Maryland, who has repeatedly called on Ferguson to allow a vote on the new redistricting maps.

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What they’re saying

“The Maryland state constitution hasn't changed, and that's the basis really for the entire decision is that if we were to move forward, it backfires. Each further legislative step weakens our current map.”

— Bill Ferguson, Maryland Senate President

What’s next

The proposed redistricting maps will now move to a vote in the full Maryland House of Delegates, but Ferguson has vowed not to bring them up for a vote in the Senate.

The takeaway

This standoff over redistricting in Maryland highlights the high-stakes political battle being waged over the redrawing of congressional district lines, which can have major implications for the balance of power in Congress. Ferguson's refusal to advance the new maps sets up a potential legal showdown that could ultimately lead to a court-ordered redrawing of the state's district boundaries.