‘Tis the season for bringing forth the new redistricted maps as mandated by the Maryland Constitution in a census year (2020).
Now, who could have anticipated that the super-majority Democrat Maryland Legislature would leave unchanged the “old” congressional district lines, which we all know favor the political fortunes of the Democrats?! SHOCKER!
Here is what the press is saying … “Lawmakers Advance Democratic Congressional Map” as reported by Bruce DePuyt and Bennett Leckrone on Maryland Matters.org. They go on to say: “On the first day of a special session, the Maryland General Assembly took steps to advance a congressional redistricting proposal that is likely to replicate the current split in the state’s U.S. House delegation — seven Democrats and one Republican.
After more than two hours of public testimony, the House Rules Committee voted 18-6 on Monday in support of House Bill 1, setting the stage for further action later in the week. HB1 was crafted by the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission (LRAC), a panel made up of House and Senate leaders — four Democrats, two Republicans and a non-voting chairman.”
HB2, the bill proposed by Hogan’s independent commission came up with a map that would have at least made it statistically possible for a Republican to win one or perhaps even more seats in the US Congress giving all Marylanders a louder voice at the Federal level. This effort was given the same “short shrift” that Hogan’s post 2018 election Commission was given. Remember that one? You see, the Maryland State Constitution is really quite clear on the matter --- It is the legislature that gets the last word on redistricting and not the Governor.
DePuyt goes on to tell us that “Republicans and gerrymandering foes have criticized the proposal, saying it still comes off looking like a map drafted by politicians in search of electoral advantage“ To which, one can only reply “DUH!”
What did Republicans think? Did they really think that in 2021, in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, that the State Legislature would deliver a “fair and balanced” (to borrow a phrase) map? SERIOUSLY?
But, wait --- it gets worse. The last remaining Republican member of Congress is Andy Harris in Congressional District 1 – The Eastern Shore. Not content to leave the Eastern Shore alone, this legislature has, in direct violation of the requirements of the State Constitution, which requires that congressional districts be contiguous and balanced, decided “to make the Eastern Shore more competitive.” And to do that, they have jumped over the Chesapeake Bay and included a part of Anne Arundel County to include the City of Annapolis in CD1.
To which, we must now say --- “It was a good run Andy, but you just got Roscoe Bartlett-ed.” For those who don’t remember … Roscoe Bartlett (R) used to represent Western Maryland before the O’Malley gerrymander connected CD 6 to the heavily populated Germantown/Bethesda/Potomac area formally in CD8 – all the way to the farthest western reaches of the State.
House Majority Leader Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), a member of the LRAC, told his colleagues the proposal represents an improvement over the current map and went on to say: …that the LRAC proposal has a lot going for it --- Western Maryland’s 6th District, which he dubbed a “Potomac district,” “would pull in more of Frederick County while uniting communities along the river.”
All that can be said to this comment is that it is clear that Luedtke has never taken a road trip to Washington, Allegheny or Garrett County. Because if he had, he would know that the only thing these counties have in common with the people of Potomac is David Trone, Congressman for CD6. Trone is a multi-millionaire who understands the elites of Potomac quite well. But I do not believe that he understands the needs of the people who live a completely different lifestyle in rural Western Maryland. These folks have not been given voice in their federal government and that is not what this country is supposed to be about. A representative Republic is not representative, if all the citizens are not represented. However, a lack of representation is what you get when one-party rules …
… and that defines the Peoples Republic of Maryland in 2021 … Stay alert! The Democrats are not finished yet!
As for the Republicans in the Peoples Republic of Maryland … 2030 Redistricting is coming … will you be ready? The run up to 2030 starts in ’22!
Again, Marc, you hit it right on the head. The same thing is happening here in Oregon. We've had vote by mail for years and haven't had a Republican government since.
Our district lines were redrawn 20 years ago and lost our Republican Rep. We now have new Republicans running and they are making headway against the Blue tide. But it's an uphill battle.
Thank you for uour voice Marc.