Hakeem Jeffries faces resistance from Maryland Democrat over new map plan

A prime Democrat within the Maryland Legislature threw chilly water on Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries’ marketing campaign to oust the state’s solely Republican from Congress.

Jeffries, D-N.Y., was in Annapolis on Wednesday to satisfy with state leaders to debate redrawing Maryland’s congressional map earlier than the November 2026 midterm elections.

He’s among the many main Democrats pushing the state to hitch the rising redistricting conflict, which might successfully pull Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., out of the state’s solely Republican district.

That might require each chambers of the Maryland Basic Meeting to approve a brand new map really useful by Gov. Wes Moore’s redistricting fee earlier this yr. However Senate President Invoice Ferguson is resisting stress from fellow Democrats.

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Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., attends a Home Democratic Steering and Coverage Committee listening to on the Capitol Customer Middle, October 22, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Name, Inc. through Getty Photos)

“Exactly as a result of we wish Chief Jeffries within the majority, most members of the Maryland Senate Democratic Caucus don’t help transferring ahead with mid-cycle redistricting, which can backfire in our state courts and lose Democrats in Congress,” Ferguson mentioned in a press release obtained by Fox Information Digital.

It is a place he has held since final yr, when he wrote a letter to state Democrats warning that “mid-cycle redistricting for Maryland is a actuality during which the authorized dangers are too excessive, the timeline for motion is harmful, the draw back danger for Democrats is catastrophic, and the knowledge of our present map can be undermined.”

Ferguson mentioned in addition they mentioned “the significance of responding to the lawless Trump administration by financial, social and immigration insurance policies” and the way they might work collectively in these areas.

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However redistricting stays a sticking level amongst Democrats within the Previous Line State.

Moore, chatting with Fox Information Digital on Wednesday, referred to as on Ferguson to at the least enable a vote on the brand new map.

“As somebody who has fought for this nation and somebody who has fought for democracy, I simply consider in combating for democracy, and I feel that requires a vote irrespective of how the vote seems,” Moore mentioned. “It truthfully does not matter, simply vote. And so I feel that was additionally the message that Chief Jeffries shared with the Senate President.”

Maryland Senate President Invoice Ferguson is resisting stress from fellow Democrats. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Solar/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photos)

Jeffries has met with Democrats in a number of states about redistricting throughout the nation, however it’s uncommon for him to mount such a public stress marketing campaign on a fellow get together chief.

He informed reporters Wednesday that he shared with Ferguson: “It’s our view, and I consider that is the view that has been clearly and firmly shared by Governor Wes Moore, that the perfect plan of action at the moment is to permit a vote within the Maryland Senate in order that we now have a chance to maneuver ahead in a clear method and see the place issues will find yourself.”

Jeffries additionally advised that Ferguson’s choice was not ultimate and that discussions on the matter had been nonetheless ongoing.

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Harris, Maryland’s lone Republican consultant, is the chief of the conservative Home Freedom Caucus.

He informed Fox Information Digital final month that he would file a lawsuit difficult the brand new map if it had been by some means authorized.

“Wes, we’ll see you in court docket,” the Conservative caucus chief mentioned.

Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris talks to reporters as he walks towards the Home Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on July 2, 2025 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos)

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Reapportionment is generally a course of that takes place each ten years, after a brand new census requires altering congressional districts based mostly on adjustments in inhabitants.

However forward of November’s midterm elections, a redistricting conflict has erupted that might upend the electoral maps throughout the nation.

Each Texas and California have redrawn their congressional maps in favor of Republicans and Democrats, respectively.

The same effort by Indiana Republicans, backed by President Donald Trump, was shot down by members of their very own get together, whereas stress prevailed in favor of the Republican Social gathering in Ohio and North Carolina. However states like Virginia and Florida might comply with go well with.