House Minority Leader Jeffries Meets on Maryland Redistricting

Jeffries tries to convince lawmakers to approve new congressional district boundaries

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, spent Wednesday morning in Annapolis meeting with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and state Senate President Bill Ferguson to discuss the state's congressional redistricting process. Jeffries is pushing for lawmakers to approve new district boundaries, but Ferguson has refused to move the redistricting bill out of committee, citing concerns that it could backfire and cost Democrats seats in Congress.

Why it matters

Redistricting is a critical process that can shape the political landscape for years to come. Jeffries, as House Minority Leader, is seeking to influence the process in Maryland to benefit Democrats, while Ferguson and other state Senate Democrats are resisting the changes, fearing they could ultimately hurt the party's representation in Congress.

The details

Jeffries joined Gov. Moore in a closed-door meeting with House Democrats, and then met separately with Ferguson. Ferguson said he appreciated the meeting with Jeffries, but most Senate Democrats oppose the redistricting plan because they want Jeffries to remain in the House majority. Jeffries had previously called on Ferguson to 'allow democracy to prevail' on redistricting.

  • Jeffries and Moore met with House Democrats on Wednesday morning.
  • Jeffries then met separately with state Senate President Bill Ferguson.

The players

Hakeem Jeffries

U.S. Representative and House Minority Leader.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland.

Bill Ferguson

President of the Maryland State Senate, who has refused to move the redistricting bill out of committee.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciated the meeting with Leader Jeffries this morning. It's precisely because we want Leader Jeffries in the majority that most members in the Maryland Senate Democratic Caucus do not support moving forward with mid-cycle redistricting that will backfire in our State courts and lose Democrats in Congress.”

— Bill Ferguson, Maryland State Senate President (wbal.com)

“Jeffries had previously addressed redistricting, saying in a CNN interview that Ferguson should 'allow democracy to prevail' when it comes to redistricting.”

— Hakeem Jeffries (wbal.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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