The Democratic delegates on the House Rules and Executive Nominations voted 18-6 on Jan. 25 to send the map drawn by the 2025 Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to the House of Delegates.
Some of these delegates should re-read their 2018 campaign promises on redistricting in the 2018 MDLWV Voter’s Guide. At the time, some expressed strong support for an independent commission to draw district lines. However, they have now supported a map created by their partisan leaders.
Here are their responses to the question on redistricting asked by the League of Women Voters of Maryland: “What changes, if any, do you support in the process for drawing congressional and legislative district lines in Maryland?”
Chair Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s County)
“I support an inclusive, transparent redistricting process that includes public participation. I also support the concept of an interstate compact that would assure that Maryland’s reforms would not happen in isolation but rather become a catalyst for nationwide reforms.”
Vice Chair Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. (D-Prince George’s County)
No response.
Del. Heather Bagnall (D-Anne Arundel)
“I had hoped that we would set a national precedent with the Supreme Court decision, but that did not happen. I continue to support a transstate cooperative solution; however, it appears our governor is unwilling to support such an initiative, which would make Maryland a leader while holding other states accountable, so we need to invest in a non-partisan third party for redistricting.”
Del. Ben Barnes (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties)
“I support redistricting overseen by an impartial, non-partisan committee.”
Del. Sandy J. Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel)
“I support changes that are drawn in equity based upon a neutral formula.”
Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery)
“I support an independent commission for state districts and a national commission for congressional districts, to address the gerrymandering plaguing our system. In the absence of a national commission, I support Maryland working in a compact with a majority Republican state, with both agreeing to have an independent commission redraw their congressional districts.”
Speaker Pro Tem Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City)
“I support the creation of an independent, non-partisan body for drawing congressional and legislative district lines in Maryland.”
Del. Bonnie L. Cullison (D-Montgomery County)
“After participating in the redistricting process in 2012, I recognize that we need to be more circumspect in this. Therefore, I would advocate for a state commission, appointed by the presiding officers based on party proportional representation, to create the districts. Population should be the primary factor, but the commission could consider other factors it determines to be important.”
Del. Debra Davis (D-Charles County)
“An impartial group of bipartisan leaders can push through much-needed reform by adopting some of the recommendations that have already been presented.”
Del. Jessica Feldmark (D-Howard)
“It is the job of the voters to elect their representatives, not the job of the elected representatives to select their voters. I support reforming the redistricting process as well as other small-d democratic efforts, including public campaign financing and initiatives to increase access to and ease of voting, such as same-day voter registration and voting by mail.”
Del. Michele Guyton (D-Baltimore County)
“I believe that a nonpartisan committee should redraw the districts after each census. The current Maryland districts are so unfairly gerrymandered that they do not allow fair representation for all citizens.”
Del. Anne R. Kaiser (D-Montgomery County)
“I support a fair, equitable method of ensuring proper representation of congressional and legislative districts. Congressional and legislative districts should not be drawn in a partisan manner. Gerrymandering is an impairment to full representative democracy.”
Del. Kenneth Kerr (D-Frederick)
“This is a national issue, and I support a national approach that would draw district lines based on natural population clusters and respect natural boundaries.”
Del. Marc Korman (D-Montgomery County)
“I would like to see national changes that require all states to move to nonpartisan redistricting commissions. In the meantime, Maryland can make strides by applying the rules that apply to our state legislative boundaries (compactness, contiguity, and respect for political subdivisions) to our Congressional districts. I am a co-sponsor of the bipartisan HB 1022, which would achieve that purpose.
Majority Leader David Moon (D-Montgomery County)
“When an entire legislative body can be drawn independently, we should do so. That’s why I support independent redistricting for state legislative districts. But when district lines are drawn piecemeal, as happens in Congress, I support nationwide independent redistricting. In the meantime, I’ve cosponsored bills to push Maryland into treaties with other states to adopt this reform regionally.”
Del. Emily Shetty (D-Montgomery County)
“Gerrymandered districts have resulted in power being taken from the voters. However, in the 21 states that have enacted redistricting commissions, many are structured to give the majority party more seats, resulting in control of the process. I support the formation of an independent commission that limits the direct participation of elected officials.”
Del. Kriselda Valderrama (D-Prince George’s County)
“I believe that redistricting must be solved on the federal level and not by individual states. At this writing, the U.S. Supreme Court is currently addressing the gerrymandering issue and will likely provide more guidance into permissible actions by the state. The Court will also likely take up new cases in the coming term. Until they speak, it is premature for the State of Maryland to act.
Del. Melissa Wells (D-Baltimore City)
“For too long, redistricting has been a partisan political tool. I support efforts such as assigning the task to a nonpartisan commission to determine fair representation. However, any effort to address this issue must ensure that my constituency is given the tools and programs they need to build on the status quo.”
Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery County)
“The integrity of our elections depends on equal voting power and fair representation. In Maryland, our congressional districts have drawn nationwide criticism and litigation. To ensure fair elections where voters have the full influence they deserve, I support the creation of a non-partisan, independent commission to draw our state and congressional district lines using evidence-based criteria.”
Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles County)
No response.
Finally, House Speaker Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk served on this committee from 2019 to 2025. Here is her 2018 response:
“I have co-sponsored various bills to eliminate gerrymandering, most recently HB 1022. That bill would have limited gerrymandering congressional districts by requiring each district to consist of adjoining territory that is compact in form and has a substantially equal population. It also requires that due regard should be given to natural boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions.”
Democrats speak with fired tongues. Want one party rule. Republicans only have 1 rep out of eight and they want that one too. And don’t care how they do it. They need to remember a tea party some time ago about taxation with no representation.