Where I Stand on Mid-Cycle Redistricting

Dear Neighbor, 

Many of you have emailed me recently asking what I think about the latest redistricting debate in Maryland, so I wanted to take a moment to share what’s on my mind and why this issue matters so much right now.

You may have heard that Maryland has been considering whether to respond to mid-decade congressional redistricting in Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah by doing our own. Governor Wes Moore and House Speaker Adrienne Jones both said they were ready to do so (as am I!), but Politico and the Washington Post report that Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson: in a Tuesday letter labeled “confidential and privileged” but you can read on the Politico website and read about in multiple other places, said, “the Senate is choosing not to move forward with mid-cycle congressional redistricting.”  

I told House leadership many weeks ago that I would support House Majority Leader David Moon’s proposal to proceed with mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to what has been happening in red states across the country at the behest of President Trump. While I don’t disagree with Senate President Ferguson’s analysis of the risks of proceeding, I hope he’ll take another look at the very real risks of not proceeding. There’s a reason why so many people cite the old adage that “desperate times call for desperate measures” when talking about the extraordinary need for the upcoming 2026 congressional elections to reflect the will of the voters across the country.  

This Administration ignores the Constitution and the law and is a danger to all of us. Given everything that is at stake, at a time when masked federal law enforcement officers are taking people off the streets without due process, the Administration is, for the first time, refusing to feed needy people during a government shutdown, saying they can’t afford it (while giving $40 billion to Argentina), and a host of other illegal actions. The potential ability of Democrats in the U.S. Congress to be a check on the President’s power has never been more important.  

President Trump, Vice President Vance, and their followers have already successfully pressured red state legislators to add multiple red congressional districts by destroying minority districts mandated by the federal Voting Rights Act. While I agree with President Ferguson that I don’t like racial or partisan gerrymandering for anyone, and I’d support a national ban, the Supreme Court has gone so far in allowing partisan gerrymandering by states that Texas legislators openly said in their public sessions that their goal was to boost the number of Republican seats. Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah have already followed suit. Republicans in Congress either agree with the Trump Administration’s illegal and unconstitutional actions or are afraid to challenge them, and I don’t share President Ferguson’s confidence that Maryland’s failure to act on redistricting will prevent other Republican states (e.g., Indiana) from proceeding with theirs, especially given the pressure they’re getting and will continue to get from the White House.

Speaker Jones issued a thoughtful statement in response to President Ferguson, saying in part, “Mid-cycle redistricting should concern anyone who cares about the health of our democratic institutions and the future of fair elections. Closing the door now on the mid-cycle redistricting debate denies our constituents the opportunity to voice their opinion on an issue that goes far beyond their district lines.”  

I hope concerned Marylanders will let both their Senators and Delegates know what they think about this important issue.

These decisions affect every Marylander, and I value the conversations they spark. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind, you can reply here or reach out anytime to share your thoughts.

Best,

Delegate Teresa Woorman, District 16

www.teresawoorman.com 

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Proud to Stand in Annapolis Against Deportation Flights from BWI

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join advocates, neighbors, and community leaders in Annapolis to speak out against Avelo Airlines’ deportation flights out of BWI. Avelo is the only U.S. passenger airline currently flying deportation flights for ICE, and Maryland has the power to end its contract with the company.

You can hear some of my remarks from the rally on the latest episode of the I Hate the News podcast at around 5:38. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew0GXY6d0pw

I was proud to sign the letter urging Maryland to end its contract with Avelo Airlines and I’m asking you to join us in calling for action. Add your name to the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/governor-moore-kick-deportation-airlines-out-of-bwi/