News: The Daily Record 2-12-2026

“Redistricting should strengthen public trust — not strain institutions or divide the Senate. Maryland deserves a process grounded in fairness, stability, and respect for the law.”

- Senator Steve Hershey, quoted in The Daily Record

Redistricting Could Fracture Moore’s Relationship with Senate, Republicans Say

Originally published by The Daily Record
By Hannah Gaskill | February 12, 2026

Official Response Highlights

Annapolis, Md.:

A new report from The Daily Record details growing tension between Governor Wes Moore and members of the Maryland Senate over the Governor’s continued push for midcycle congressional redistricting.

During his State of the State address, Governor Moore made a direct appeal to Senate President Bill Ferguson to bring the House-approved redistricting bill to the Senate floor for a vote — a move some lawmakers characterized as an escalation of an already sensitive disagreement within the chamber.

The legislation would redraw Maryland’s congressional districts and potentially produce an 8–0 Democratic delegation, eliminating Rep. Andy Harris, the state’s only Republican member of Congress. The bill also includes a referendum component allowing voters to determine whether the new map would extend beyond the 2026 election cycle.

Process and Precedent

As the article outlines, Senate Republicans have raised concerns not only about the substance of the map, but about the precedent of midcycle redistricting itself. Traditionally, congressional lines are drawn following the decennial census. Altering them mid-decade introduces legal, institutional, and constitutional questions that could ultimately require review by the Maryland Supreme Court.

Senator Hershey has emphasized that while debate on the issue is appropriate, governance must be rooted in consensus and institutional stability — not public pressure campaigns or procedural brinkmanship.

Republican members of the Senate Rules Committee have indicated they are prepared to engage in full debate if the bill reaches the floor. At the same time, they caution against normalizing midcycle redistricting as a political strategy that could destabilize Maryland’s electoral framework moving forward.

The Bigger Picture

The broader concern is not simply partisan advantage, but preserving confidence in Maryland’s legislative process. Stability in election law, transparency in procedure, and respect for institutional roles are foundational to effective governance.

As discussions continue, Senator Hershey remains focused on protecting constitutional norms, ensuring fair representation, and maintaining the integrity of the Senate as an independent deliberative body.

Read the full article in The Daily Record: Redistricting could fracture Moore’s relationship with Senate, Republicans say