Dem Governor May Redistrict Lone GOP Rep Out Of His Seat To Make Maryland ‘More Fair’
Maryland Democrat Governor Wes Moore is openly floating the idea of gerrymandering the state’s only Republican congressman, Rep. Andy Harris, out of office — all in the name of “fairness.”
Appearing on CBS’s “Face The Nation” Sunday, Moore hinted that Maryland’s congressional lines could be redrawn to eliminate the First District — a conservative stronghold that has consistently elected Harris to the U.S. House.
“I want to make sure that we have fair lines and fair seats,” Moore claimed — while actively signaling his interest in targeting the GOP’s last foothold in the state.
Harris is the sole Republican among Maryland’s 10-member congressional delegation. President Trump won more than a third of the state’s vote in 2024, underscoring the fact that conservatives still represent a sizable voting bloc — despite being outnumbered in the deep blue state.
Moore’s Definition of “Fairness” Looks A Lot Like Political Purging
Moore tried to justify the potential redistricting by accusing Trump of election manipulation and claiming he was defending democracy.
“We need to be able to have fair maps,” Moore said, “and… if the president of the United States is putting his finger on the scale to try to manipulate elections… it behooves each and every one of us to… ensure that the voters’ voices can actually be heard.”
“I want to make sure we have fair lines and fair seats”: Maryland governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) told “Face the Nation’s” @margbrennan that “all options are on the table” regarding redistricting in Maryland, which currently has one Republican in its congressional delegation. pic.twitter.com/YCjljamtNl
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 24, 2025
Ironically, Moore’s plan to silence those voters would likely accomplish the exact opposite — cutting off any conservative representation from Maryland in Congress.
Democrats Embrace Gerrymandering To Counter Trump’s House Gains
The comments come as Republicans in red states move to redraw maps to secure House gains. Trump-backed efforts in Texas have already redistricted the state in a way that is expected to deliver up to five additional GOP seats. Florida, Ohio, and other states may follow suit.
But now, in a tit-for-tat move, Democrats are leaning into their own version of gerrymandering — openly abandoning any pretense of “independent” redistricting.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, for example, has proposed scrapping his state’s independent redistricting commission to let Democrats in the legislature draw a new map, potentially netting up to five more Democrat-held seats.
For Moore and Newsom, “democracy” now appears to mean whatever gives Democrats more seats — and silences Republicans.
Trump’s Presence Felt — Even In Blue States
Despite losing Maryland by double digits in 2024 to Kamala Harris, Trump remains a powerful political force in the state, especially on the Eastern Shore and in rural pockets. And Democrats know it.
That’s why they’re trying to redraw the map — not to reflect fairness, but to eliminate dissent.
If Moore moves forward, it would mark one of the most brazen partisan gerrymanders in the country — using executive power to wipe out the only voice of opposition in Maryland’s congressional delegation.
So much for “representing all Marylanders.”